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Austin Peay State University to offer executive education programs for working professionals this spring

Austin Peay State University - APSUClarksville, TN – This spring, Austin Peay State University will launch its first executive education program, providing working professionals with the training and credentials they need to enhance and elevate their careers.

As part of this historic new push, the University is transforming the 13,000-square-foot 317 College Street facility (formerly the Jenkins and Wynne Honda Building) into an executive education building.

Formerly the Jenkins and Wynne Honda Building on College Street to be transformed into new Austin Peay Executive Education building.
Formerly the Jenkins and Wynne Honda Building on College Street to be transformed into new Austin Peay Executive Education building.

That space offers convenient access and parking for working professionals, as well as an executive education classroom with state-of-the-art technology.

Beginning this January, the University will offer a credit-bearing Executive Certificate in Healthcare Administration (ECHA), pending Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges approval.

This program is a 12-credit hour graduate certificate program providing an executive-style education to healthcare professionals in the greater Nashville area. The program, offered through APSU’s Department of Health and Human Performance, is designed for individuals who are working full-time in the healthcare industry and want to further their education without committing to a full-time master’s degree program.

“It will be offered in a hybrid/executive style format, and the program is designed to be completed in one semester,” Dr. Tim Leszczak, interim assistant dean of the College of Graduate Studies, said. “The certificate will consist of four classes in the spring, focusing on key areas in healthcare such as accounting, finance, human resources and strategic management. The certificate will be offered every spring and fall.”

The University recently hired faculty members who are considered experts in their fields to teach these classes. Because of the hybrid format, students will come to campus for a three-day weekend immersion, engaging in lectures and group work with their cohort, and then they will continue the classes online. A common theme is that working professionals are challenged with advanced learning, while also sharing their diverse healthcare experiences in the course. This format helps connect work experience with curriculum to offer a well-rounded academic experience.

Healthcare represents one of the fastest growing industries in Tennessee. In the Nashville area, this industry contributes more than $38.8 billion and more than 250,000 jobs to the local economy each year. This new certificate will enhance the marketability of professionals and clinicians, as well as fulfill some of the course requirements in Austin Peay’s Master of Healthcare Administration degree program, if the student is interested in applying for the master’s program.

Later this spring, the University will expand its executive education offerings with two additional programs—a Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) certificate and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate, offered through the University’s continuing education office. Both certificates are non-credit programs.

“Austin Peay is venturing into a new world of education delivery, reaching those professionals currently in the workforce who are looking for additional credentials to elevate their careers, or enhance their skills sets,” Dr. Chad Brooks, interim dean of the College of Graduate Studies, said. “Executive education is the way we do this.”

For information on these programs, visit the APSU College of Graduate Studies website at www.apsu.edu/grad-studies/echa

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