Brandman University School of Extended Education Honored With UPCEA Engagement Award

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Oct 7, 2014) - Brandman University's School of Extended Education, one of five schools within Brandman University, well-recognized for its rich history of supporting adult learners, is the recipient of the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) West Region's Engagement Award. Brandman was recognized for its IT Professional Certificates program, which was developed through the Workforce Innovation Fund of Orange County, a program supported by the Employment and Training Administration and the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Engagement Award recognizes an outstanding mutually beneficial exchange between an UPCEA member institution and one or more external constituents, such as local communities, corporations, government organizations or associations. In February 2014, Brandman was selected by the Orange County Workforce Investment Board (OCWIB) to develop new IT extended education programs for the county through a competitive proposal process.

Brandman, along with its curriculum partner New Horizons, launched the program in September, which is aimed at developing more well-rounded IT professionals -- pairing IT-focused training and certifications with business acumen and leadership skill development. With research showing that IT jobs remain unfulfilled in Orange County, $1.3 million in funding was awarded to Brandman in order to develop courses and train 150 students to meet the job requirements.

"It's an honor to be recognized by UPCEA -- a prestigious organization within our industry," said Nancy Salzman, dean of the School of Extended Education. "Launching the IT Certificate Programs has been a rewarding process, in that we are able to offer programming that is unique and essential, according to today's employers. It's gratifying to have that hard work acknowledged." 

Brandman's IT certificate programs -- comprising of seven certificates and 58 courses -- are a hybrid of IT industry-recognized certifications, other IT technical skills and leadership development curriculum. Participants may earn certifications and academic credit, while also obtaining the business insight and leadership skills necessary to thrive in today's workplace environments. Additional information is available at http://www.brandman.edu/program/it-professional-certificates.

About Brandman University's School of Extended Education: Brandman University's School of Extended Education is a school focused on individual and workforce career development, uniquely situated as part of a university focused on adult learners. Providing leadership, business, technology, health and wellness, education and general education programs, the School of Extended Education is committed to developing courses designed to meet real-world needs. Brandman partners with leading subject-matter experts and professional associations to offer degree programs, workshops, seminars, certificate programs, leadership modules and programming leading to certification and academic credit. Its corporate training division works closely with employers to pinpoint organizational needs and challenges and develop highly customized on-site, online and hybrid training programs for workforces across industries. Drawing on the rich history and prestigious reputation of Chapman University, the School of Extended Education's collaborative approach provides sustainable solutions for today's adult learners. Visit www.brandman.edu/exed/ or call 1.800.632.0094 for more information.