FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 2005

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

SAN DIEGO, Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - With casino gaming being such a major player nationally, San Diego State University's College of Extended Studies (CES) is becoming the first accredited university to offer a Professional Certificate in Casino Gaming Online education program in August.

The online program will mirror the classroom curriculum the College has taught since April 2004. It will be interactive with video clips and discussion boards, and will be taught by top industry experts in Native American Indian gaming.

The curriculum is designed to provide students with the opportunity to begin or further their careers in the casino and gaming industry. Participants will obtain a strong basic background in Indian gaming history, regulations, gaming law, supervision, customer service, casino marketing, and leadership.

"We have received inquires about our casino gaming program from Amsterdam to Singapore, and lots of locations in between," said William E. Byxbee, CES dean. "We wanted to be able to share this exciting program with anyone, anywhere, who cannot come to San Diego. We have done everything we can to give this online program the same look and feel as a face-to-face class. With the use of streaming video, interactive chat rooms and access to our professional instructors, we are sure that we'll be providing the best online experience possible."

Industry experts will deliver instruction online, emphasizing the latest developments, practices, and issues facing the gaming profession which can be applied immediately to the job. Content and competencies are geared directly toward the casino organization's needs, and are designed to provide students with the tools necessary to become successful in this field.

"Over the past year, I have been so impressed with the students in the casino marketing classes that I have been teaching as a part of San Diego State University's Extended Studies gaming program. They are all so excited to learn about the opportunities available for careers in the gaming hospitality industry," said Troy Simpson, executive director of casino marketing at the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino in Lakeside, Calif. "I think it is a great idea to take this program online because it will bring SDSU's top-notch gaming curriculum to a worldwide audience."

"The SDSU casino gaming online certificate allows the participant to remain on the cutting edge of casino operations from a global perspective," said instructor Paris McRoy, director of customer care for Sycuan Casino and Resort in El Cajon, Calif. "Business networking and information swapping through online instruction allows every student and casino to be competitive in a global gaming market."

Five courses must be completed to receive a Professional Certificate in Casino Gaming online. Course topics are: Introduction to Indian Gaming, Past and Present; Gaming Regulations on Sovereign Soil; Surveillance and Security; Indian Casino Marketing and Promotion; and HR's Role and the Service Strategy.

The online program begins August 8 with a course on Introduction to Indian Gaming, Past and Present.

Highlights of the program include:

• Higher success rate in hiring and promoting employees within the organization
• Information to help employees understand the culture of the industry
• Increased quality of work and better team performance
• Better awareness of federal and state regulations
• Education from top-level casino professionals
• Evaluations and assessments that prove return on investment (ROI)

For more information on the Professional Certificate in Casino Gaming program, please call (619) 594-6255 or visit www.NeverStopLearning.net.

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 more than 30 certificate programs, online courses, and many other learning opportunities. To register or for more information, call (619) 594-5152 or log on to www.NeverStopLearning.net.