STUDENTS CAN ENROLL IN CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS FOR FREE AT ABAC

Through the HOPE Grant program, Georgia residents who qualify can enroll at no charge in six different 18-semester hour certificate programs offered through the Division of Business Administration at Abraham Baldwin College this spring semester.

Students who enroll in these certificate programs are not required to have the “B” average in high school to receive the HOPE Grant. They must be Georgia residents. ABAC is now accepting applications for the spring semester, which begins Jan. 8.

The new certificate programs include the following: Office Technology, Web Technologies, Business Systems, Administration and Supervision, Sales Technology, and Small Business Management.

Dr. Jeff Gibbs, Chair in ABAC’s Division of Business Administration, said these certificate programs will provide a new, first step for many students who would like to study business at ABAC.

“With the ever-changing advancements in technology, these programs will provide an opportunity for students to obtain the skills and training necessary to enter today’s job market,” Gibbs said.

Students who complete the Office Technology certificate will be skilled in the use of Microsoft Office and its application in a professional administrative environment. They will also be prepared for Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) testing.

The Web Technologies certificate will help students acquire skills in the development of web-based applications, including the incorporation of a variety of media to build data-driven web sites. They will also learn the principles of web-server management.

Students who complete the Business Systems certificate will develop an understanding of the multiple systems required in the modern business environment and how to manage and integrate these systems for optimal efficiency.

The Administration and Supervision certificate will help students acquire the management skills necessary for promotion to supervisory and/or administrative positions in various clinical and technical fields. This program is designed to develop individual management

skills that will complement existing clinical or technical training.

The Sales Technology certificate program is designed to help students develop marketing and sales skills and to introduce them to the process of marketing and sales planning. Students will be prepared for employment as marketing trainees in many retail, wholesale, service, and manufacturing businesses.

The Small Business Management certificate program is designed to acquaint students with the processes required to initiate and operate a small business, emphasizing the entrepreneurial aspect. Students will acquire many of the skills necessary to initiate and run his or her own business, such as legal requirement, financial planning, and the effective management of employees.

In addition to these six new certificate programs, a Paraprofessional Certificate (Education) was also approved at ABAC. This certificate is awaiting approval by the Board of Regents.

Eleven other certificate programs are also currently offered through ABAC’s Division of Agriculture and Forest Resources, including the following: Agricultural Machinery Technician, Children and Family Services, General Animal Industry Management, General Family and Consumer Sciences, Horse Operation Management, Interior Design, Landscape Maintenance Technician, Pesticide Application Technician, Precision Agriculture Technician, Soil Resources Technician, and Turfgrass Equipment Technician.

ABAC also offers certificate programs in Information Technology and Management and Marketing. Information Technology students might be able to move from the certificate program into the associate degree program and then into the four-year degree in Information Technology now available from Macon State College on the ABAC campus. Students could possibly obtain the entire four-year degree without ever leaving the ABAC campus. 

            For additional information about any of these certificate programs, contact ABAC’s Admissions Office at (229) 386-3230 or 1-800-733-3653.

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