Pitt's Graduate Certificate Program Teaches Communication and Management Skills to Technical Professionals

PITTSBURGH—To address Pittsburgh's need for technical professionals with management and communications training, the University of Pittsburgh is offering an Engineering and Technology Management Graduate Certificate beginning this fall. The program enrolls students through the Department of Industrial Engineering in the School of Engineering, in partnership with the College of General Studies' Learning Solutions.

The 15-credit program prepares technically trained professionals to lead multidisciplinary teams, effectively bridging the gap between operations and management. School of Engineering faculty teach the core and elective courses, which are offered as three tracks: quality management, engineering and product management, and emerging technology management.

"The program is a great opportunity for working adults who are busy and have no time to commit to a master's degree program for three years," says Kim Needy, associate professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering and codirector of the program. "Through the program, professionals can complete the certificate of five classes in a year and a half through part-time study."

Nationally, postbaccalaureate certificate programs constitute one of the fastest-growing areas in higher education, according to the American Council on Education, providing nondegree seeking professionals with the opportunity to develop and hone job skills.

The Engineering and Technology Management Graduate Certificate will target technical professionals with a minimum of a bachelor's degree who are currently in or aspiring to a leadership role.

A report by the Pittsburgh Technology Council indicated that biotechnology and information technology industries in southwestern Pennsylvania lack experienced and trained technical management. Representatives from Westinghouse Government Services, the Pittsburgh Digital Greenhouse, and other manufacturing and construction industries validated the local value and demand for the certificate program.

"Many of our young engineers now manage large projects much earlier in their careers than they would have 10 or even five years ago," said Stephen Tritch, president and CEO of Westinghouse Electric Company, who earned the Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and the Master of Business Administration at Pitt, in 1971 and 1977, respectively.

"As a result, basic training in business and management principles would certainly make this important career step more seamless than it sometimes proves to be," said Tritch. "On a personal level, I worked several years in engineering before returning to Pitt to get my M.B.A. More basic instruction in business and management as part of my engineering education would have allowed me to expand my career options earlier."

Pitt Learning Solutions responds to the continuing professional needs of employees within the growth industry sectors in the region, including manufacturing and information technology.

"One of the unique things about our approach to developing postbaccalaureate and graduate-level certificates through Learning Solutions is that the credits earned can later be applied to a degree program at the University, assuming the admissions' requirements are met," said Susan Kinsey, dean of the College of General Studies.

"For example, credits earned for the Engineering and Technology Management Graduate Certificate may be applied to the Master of Science in Industrial Engineering program. We believe this approach more effectively serves both the short- and long-term needs of the students and their employers," Kinsey added.

For more information, call 412-624-6600 or visit www.solutions.pitt.edu.

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9/4/03/tmw