ProfEd develops courses for the public good

CMU’s off-campus programs are keeping CMU 2010 in mind while developing new courses.

Susan Hunter, director of product development for ProfEd and a member of the Priority IV committee, said she is already seeing new potential for strengthening the university’s priorities around the globe.

An example of that is CMU’s role through ProfEd in the Hurricane Impact Skills Certification Project. That effort is the result of CMU’s leadership as a founding partner in the National Educator Alliance, a group of seven universities.
The alliance seeks to help hurricane survivors demonstrate job competencies in a number of skill areas through online skills assessments and noncredit certifications. The assessments and certifications will help hurricane survivors rebuild résumés and job-seeking capabilities.

“In the wake of the hurricanes, many are left without records or employers to verify education and experience. The Hurricane Impact Project allows people to demonstrate the skills they possess, obtain certification, and if necessary, take additional course work to develop competencies,” Hunter said.

ProfEd also is working with several CMU departments on possible new programs, including an online master’s degree for charter school administrators, a master’s degree in sport administration, a graduate program in homeland security, and noncredit certificate programs in forensic accounting and business intelligence.