FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2005

CONTACT: Steve Dolan
(619) 594-5664
sdolan@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO, Wednesday, February 9, 2005 - Professional certificate programs can be an effective educational option for those who are training for a career.

Certificates are recognized by most employers as a significant academic accomplishment and can lead to new jobs, as well as promotions for those who obtain them. They are typically more relevant and focused for today's workforce than academic degrees and can be completed in a much shorter period of time.

The following professional certificates are examples of some of those available through San Diego State University's College of Extended Studies:

In the new Professional Certificate in Maritime Careers program, students learn the skills necessary to achieve success in the shoreside/waterfront and/or oceangoing maritime industry. Some classes will be held off-site, and a hands-on approach will be incorporated.

The amTEFL (Americans teaching English as a foreign language) program is offered through the SDSU American Language Institute, a division of the College of Extended Studies. AmTEFL is a 120-hour graduate-level TEFL certification course specifically designed for inexperienced, novice North American teachers who want to live and teach abroad. The program's 60-plus graduates are already teaching in 30 countries.

The Professional Certificate in The Business of Wine program is for anyone interested in a career in the wine and restaurant industry, or who simply is a devoted wine enthusiast. Course topics are: Exploring Wine; Red, White, and Champagne - Three Parts - One Course; Wine Making Behind the Scenes; Tableside Service; and Selling Wine for Managers.

During the Professional Certificate in Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification program, you will learn how to achieve the fastest rate of improvement in customer satisfaction, quality, process speed, and invested capital in both manufacturing and transactional processes. Lean Six Sigma combines the speed and agility of Lean with the statistical predictability of Six Sigma to create solutions for better business practices and dramatic bottom line results.

A Professional Certificate in Hospitality features well-known Southern California restaurant, hotel, and tourism business professionals teaching different aspects of the program. Core courses include Hospitality Overview, Creating a Reputation for Exceptional Service, Understanding the Profit Picture, and Managing Performance and Development. Among the electives are Working with Vendors, Hospitality Law and OSHA, and Hotel Leisure Living and Resort Operations.

There is also a Professional Certificate in Casino Gaming program that began last year. Participants will obtain a strong basic background in Indian gaming history, regulations, gaming law, supervision, customer service, and leadership. Course topics include: Introduction to Indian Gaming, Gaming Regulations on Sovereign Soil, Gaming Security and Surveillance, Customer Service in a Unique Environment, Diversity in the Workplace, Table Games Management, Slots 101, Revenue Techniques, and Deterring and Detecting Casino Cheats.

SDSU's College of Extended Studies offers a wide variety of lifelong learning classes, seminars, and certificate programs. Career advancement courses are offered in many areas of management, leadership, and quality improvement while self-enrichment courses range from astronomy to web design. Additionally, the College offers over 30 certificate programs, online courses, and many other learning opportunities. For more information on the cutting-edge opportunities offered in career training, or other programs, visit the College's web site at www.NeverStopLearning.net.