Cedar Crest College is pleased to announce the addition of seven new, career-focused online programs. The new offerings include minors, certificates and concentrations available through a partnership with Rize Education and the Lower Cost Models for Independent Colleges Consortium (LCMC).
The LCMC provides online access to courses that have been developed in conjunction with faculty experts at leading academic institutions, including Harvard and Duke University, and with key industry partners, such as Google. The Consortium incorporates over 120 participating institutions.
“Joining the LCMC Educational Consortium allows us to instantly expand access to new opportunities for our students,” says Dr. Elizabeth M. Meade, President of Cedar Crest College. “The array of programs in the Consortium enables our students to be even more prepared for the needs of today’s workforce.”
Beginning in Fall 2022, traditional, adult and some graduate students will be able to engage in these cutting-edge, technology-focused programs as part of their overall plan of study at Cedar Crest College.
Cedar Crest’s faculty lead for the LCMC implementation is Dr. Michael C. Zalot, assistant professor and MBA director in the Department of Business, Management and Economics. “These programs are going to allow students to incorporate in-demand career training into their existing liberal arts curriculum,” Zalot says. “They are focused on technology and management areas that will create additional opportunities for career success for any major.”
Representing job areas projected for regional and national growth in the coming years, Cedar Crest’s new programs will allow students to take their career, their earning potential and their future to the next level.
Learn about the new programs:
Certified Financial Planning | Concentration (Accounting and Business Administration Majors only) & Stand-Alone Post-Bachelor’s Certificate
The Certified Financial Planning program prepares students to sit for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam offered through the CFP Board and launch a career in a fast-growing industry. Certified Financial Planners know the ins and outs of investing, saving and money management. Students will learn to navigate risk and opportunity in the financial markets, understand how to balance clients’ goals with their income and devise holistic financial plans to ensure stability and growth.
Computer Science | Minor (open to all)
A minor in Computer Science opens doors in every industry and any career path is enhanced with an understanding of computing and the languages of technology. The Computer Science Program was built in collaboration with Google to focus on the skills employers are looking for right now. Students will complete the program with an impressive portfolio of completed work, including website and app builds and a knowledge of multiple computing languages.
Cybersecurity | Minor (open to all) & Concentration (Business Administration and Criminal Justice Majors only)
Created by a team of experts and accomplished leaders from academia and the technology sector, this curriculum prepares students for a career as a cybersecurity professional. Students will assess modern cybersecurity challenges that threaten our privacy, security and safety, and gain both the knowledge and hands-on technical skills to protect digital assets from cyber criminals who leverage sophisticated social and cyber tactics to facilitate attacks.
Data Analytics | Minor (open to all) & Concentration (Business Administration and Criminal Justice Majors only)
Data drives every important decision being made across the globe, from local companies to multinational corporations, governments and beyond. The Data Analytics program ensures that students will have a master of the data skills necessary to start a successful career the moment they graduate. The program’s curriculum advisors are industry leaders who have spent decades at the top of their fields, and students will learn to conduct the research that helps organizations plan new marketing strategies, make business decisions and map out the path to future success.
Digital Marketing | Minor (open to all) & Concentration (Business Administration and Media Studies Majors only)
Digital marketing is one of the most opportunity-rich fields in the world — especially for recent graduates. The Digital Marketing Program offers project-based, skills-oriented classes that give students a competitive advantage when they enter the workforce. Students will learn to design effective marketing campaigns across multiple channels, craft compelling stories to inspire customers and leverage modern tools to build, track and optimize their strategies. Courses are updated every semester in consultation with industry experts to make sure students are learning the latest skills and techniques.
Project Management | Concentration (Accounting and Business Administration Majors only) & Stand-Alone Post-Secondary Certificate
Project Managers are in high demand and are some of the highest-paid professionals in the country. They turn ideas into strategy, and strategy into concrete goals and milestones to help their team reach the finish line. Through the rigorous Project Management Program, students will develop marketable, meaningful leadership and management skills that will provide massive opportunity in any industry. Students will learn to utilize the power of effective project management through different frameworks to create an achievable project plan and to manage a project while encountering and overcoming challenges and complications.
Web Design | Minor (open to all) & Concentration (Business Administration and Media Studies Majors only)
Web designers study visual design, human-computer interaction and programming to make the Internet beautiful and functional. They decide the look and feel of webpages for corporations, charities, startups, governments and more. Business and management skills are built into the Web Design Program to provide students with a variety of engaging and lucrative career paths. Courses were created in consultation with hiring managers from top web companies to find out what they want to see more of from their new hires.
For more information about these new programs, please contact the Admissions Office at 610-740-3780.