Tag Archives: kaplan university

Education, Human Resources

Kaplan University and Leading Global HR Organization Assess What is Needed To Narrow the Skills Gap Between Job Seekers and Open Positions

Leave a comment

Human resources leaders often rank communication skills over tech in business and IT fields, according to Career Tips survey.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (November 25, 2014) — Professionals who can articulate well and adeptly analyze information to make strategic decisions have the edge in business and information technology workplaces, according to nationwide survey commissioned by Kaplan University School of Business & Information Technology with the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).

The survey, which highlights career tips for IT and Business Job applicants was distributed to 3,000 SHRM members nationwide in September, amassing over 350 responses from the administrator to C-Suite level. The goal of the survey was to identify the personal and professional traits that can help secure job opportunities for graduates seeking employment and advancement in the business and IT sectors.

“Kaplan University is keenly focused on making sure our graduates have the skills employers are looking for. We’re constantly evaluating and enhancing our business and IT programs to better prepare our students for the demands in the workplace,” said Dr. Thomas C. Boyd, Kaplan University dean and vice president of the School of Business & Information Technology. “The survey results reaffirm the importance of obtaining ‘soft skills’ like communication, critical thinking and team work in addition to core curriculum competencies.”

Key survey findings include the following:

• Aside from education training, communication (94%) and critical thinking skills (73%) ranked as leading skills for business and general job applicants in today’s workplace.

• Breaking it down by sector, communication (90%) and critical thinking (75%) remained as the top two business job applicant skills; technology/social and digital media skills (72%) and critical thinking (67%) addressed the top IT job applicant skills.

• Adaptability to change (31% for IT jobs; 25% for business jobs) was the one strength that HR professional deemed most important for a person to gain a competitive edge in their field or position.

• Employee referrals and national online job boards (58% and 53%, respectively, for business applicants; and equally 46% for IT applicants) were reported to be the leading resources for human resources recruiters. Internal job postings were another top recruitment source for business positions (45%), and industry-specific/niche online job boards were key for IT jobs (39%).

For more information, visit the Kaplan University School of Business & Information Technology.

About Kaplan University
Kaplan University offers a different school of thought for higher education. It strives to help adult students unlock their talent by providing a practical, student-centered education that prepares them for careers in some of the fastest-growing industries. The University, which has its main campus in Davenport, Iowa, and its headquarters in Chicago, is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (http://www.hlcommission.org). Kaplan University serves approximately 46,000 online and campus-based students. The University has 13 campuses in Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, Maryland, Maine, and Wisconsin, and Kaplan University Learning Centers in Maryland and Missouri.

Kaplan University is part of Kaplan Higher Education LLC and Kaplan, Inc., a leading international provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan’s higher education institutions serves approximately 61,000 students online and through 56 campus-based schools across the United States and offer a spectrum of academic opportunities, from certificates and diplomas to graduate and professional degrees, including a juris doctor degree. Kaplan serves students of all ages through a wide array of offerings including higher education, test preparation, professional training and programs for kids in grades K-12. Kaplan, Inc. is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company and its largest division. For more information, visit http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu.

Media Contact:
Amy Hawkinson
Director of Public Relations
Kaplan University
Office: 954-515-3603
Mobile: 954-459-1324
ahawkinson@kaplan.edu
http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu/business.aspx

Education

PMI Global Accreditation Center Accredits Kaplan University Project Management Programs

Leave a comment

Kaplan University today announced that School of Business project management degrees have been accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC).

DAVENPORT, Iowa (October 9, 2014) — Kaplan University, a leader in higher education innovation, today announced that School of Business project management degrees have been accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC).

GAC accreditation status has been conferred upon the following degree programs through August 2017:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA), Project Management Specialization
• Master of Science in Management (MSM), Project Management Specialization

“Project management has transitioned from a responsibility to a career as more organizations use teams and project-based methods to accomplish business goals,” said Dr. Thomas Boyd, dean and vice president of the School of Business and Information Technology. “We are proud to earn this recognition from the GAC Board, which further validates our commitment to project management educational excellence that will continue to prepare graduates to meet employer demands.”

Established by PMI in 2001, GAC is a specialized body that accredits bachelor’s, postgraduate and doctorate programs in project management. Degree programs that achieve GAC accreditation must demonstrate and meet the GAC’s rigorous standards of accreditation, which include an assessment of each program’s objectives and outcomes, faculty and student evaluations, onsite and online resources, annual self-evaluation, and proof of continuous improvements in the area of project management education. GAC accreditation ensures the quality of academic degree programs and their graduates in order to meet the standards of the rapidly growing field of project management.

Kaplan University’s project management specialization programs cover the life cycle of project phases and processes as advocated by GAC core learning outcomes and PMI as defined in the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge®. The MBA Project Management specialization examines how to analyze and streamline complex, large-scale endeavors to develop efficient project plans. The MSM Project Management specialization focuses on planning, executing and controlling phases of a project life cycle to increase the bottom line for organizations.

About Kaplan University
Kaplan University offers a different school of thought for higher education. It strives to help adult students unlock their talent by providing a practical, student-centered education that prepares them for careers in some of the fastest-growing industries. The University, which has its main campus in Davenport, Iowa, and its headquarters in Chicago, is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (http://www.hlcommission.org). Kaplan University serves approximately 44,500 online and campus-based students. The University has 13 campuses in Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, Maryland, Maine, and Wisconsin, and Kaplan University Learning Centers in Maryland and Missouri.

Kaplan University is part of Kaplan Higher Education LLC and Kaplan, Inc., a leading international provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan’s higher education institutions serves approximately 61,000 students online and through 56 campus-based schools across the United States and offer a spectrum of academic opportunities, from certificates and diplomas to graduate and professional degrees, including a juris doctor degree. Kaplan serves students of all ages through a wide array of offerings including higher education, test preparation, professional training and programs for kids in grades K-12. Kaplan, Inc. is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company and its largest division. For more information, visit http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu.

About Project Management Institute (PMI)
PMI is the world’s largest project management member association, representing more than half a million practitioners in over 185 countries. As a global thought leader and knowledge resource, PMI advances the profession through its global standards and credentials, collaborative chapters and virtual communities and academic research. When organizations invest in project management, supported by PMI, executives have confidence their important initiatives deliver expected results, greater business value and competitive advantage. Learn more at http://www.pmi.org.

About the PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management
Education Programs (GAC)
Established by the PMI Board of Directors in 2001, the Global Accreditation Center for Project Management (GAC) is a specialized accrediting body that assures the quality of project management degree programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Media Contact:
Amy Hawkinson
Director of Public Relations
Kaplan University
Office: 954-515-3603
Mobile: 954-459-1324
ahawkinson@kaplan.edu
http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu

Education

Kaplan University School of Business Aligns HR and Financial Planning Specializations with Industry Designations to Help Build Employable Skills

Leave a comment

Curriculum alignment with the Society for Human Resource Management and Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards provides practical education that prepares students for careers in growth industries.

Davenport, Iowa, USA (April 23, 2014) — Kaplan University, a leader in higher education innovation, today announced two professional designations for its School of Business with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP® Board).

“Alignment with the professional standards of these two organizations marks another milestone in our work to synch the educational experience with workplace realities. These achievements provide evidence of our work to meet the needs of employers and further help our students develop employable skills,” said Thomas Boyd, dean of the Kaplan University School of Business.

SHRM-designated Human Resources Specializations
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities in the human resources sector are growing. Their research findings project 20.5 percent employment growth for HR specialists by 2020, leading to 61,600 new jobs and 36,700 replacement jobs. With this in mind, Kaplan University School of Business has partnered with SHRM to align the school’s human resources curriculum in ways that help students better develop the skills that employers value.

SHRM – the world’s largest professional HR association – has acknowledged that the following programs at the Kaplan University School of Business fully align with its HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates for minimum content areas that should be studied by HR students at the undergraduate and graduate levels:

• Master of Business Administration with a specialization in human resources
• Master of Science in Management with a specialization in human resources
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a career focus area in human resources

For more information on the human resources specialization programs at Kaplan University School of Business and their alignment with SHRM, visit: http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu/business/shrm.aspx.

CFP Board-registered Financial Planning Specialization
As many Americans are quickly reaching retirement age, the need for personal financial planning expertise becomes more prevalent. According to Money Magazine and Payscale.com, the financial planning profession is expected to grow 41% by 2016. Certification from the CFP Board can be a key differentiator for firms and individual financial professionals seeking to demonstrate the quality of their services and the value they provide to clients. The Master of Science in Finance with a specialization in financial planning at the Kaplan University School of Business is now offered as a CFP Board-registered program. Through this affiliation, students in the program will have access to curriculum content that helps them prepare for the national CFP® Certification exam administered by the CFP Board.

For more information about the CFP-Board Certified financial planning specialization at Kaplan University School of Business, visit: http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu/business/cfp-board-registered.aspx.

About Kaplan University
Kaplan University offers a different school of thought for higher education. It strives to help adult students unlock their talent by providing a practical, student-centered education that prepares them for careers in some of the fastest-growing industries. The University, which has its main campus in Davenport, Iowa, and its headquarters in Chicago, is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (http://www.ncahlc.org) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Kaplan University serves approximately 43,000 online and campus-based students. The University has 11 campuses in Iowa, Nebraska, Maryland and Maine, and Kaplan University Learning Centers in Maryland, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri and Florida.

Kaplan University is part of Kaplan Higher Education Group and Kaplan, Inc., a leading international provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan, Inc. serves approximately 60,000 students online and through 56 campus-based schools across the United States. Kaplan’s higher education schools offer a spectrum of academic opportunities, from certificates and diplomas to graduate and professional degrees, including a juris doctor degree. Kaplan serves students of all ages through a wide array of offerings including higher education, test preparation, professional training and programs for kids in grades K-12. Kaplan, Inc. is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company and its largest division. For more information, visit http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu.

About SHRM
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. The Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. Founded in 1948, SHRM has more than 250,000 members in 140 countries and more than 575 affiliated chapters.

About CFP Board
The mission of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. is to benefit the public by granting the CFP® certification and upholding it as the recognized standard of excellence for personal financial planning. The Board of Directors, in furthering CFP Board’s mission, acts on behalf of the public, CFP® professionals and other stakeholders. CFP Board owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™, and the federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. CFP Board currently authorizes nearly 69,000 individuals to use these marks in the U.S.

Media Contact:
Amy Hawkinson
Kaplan University School of Business
954-515-3603
ahawkinson@kaplan.edu
http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu/business.aspx

Education

Kaplan University Launches Environmental Policy Center

Leave a comment

School of Social and Behavioral Sciences creates a news feed site with daily updates on environmental policy topics and trends.

Davenport, Iowa, USA (April 22, 2014) — In honor of Earth Day, Kaplan University, a leader in higher education innovation, launched its Environmental Policy Center news site that captures and curates environmental policy news and trends from across the Internet.

The Environmental Policy Center was created under the guidance of faculty and administrators from the environmental policy degree programs within the Kaplan School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. It gives readers a convenient, centralized source for daily updates on key trending topics related to the environment. Editors sift through all the day’s news from multiple sources, placing the top stories on one central site.

“The expansion of the green economy is generating demand for new skills and specialized knowledge in many business and government sectors, as well as a thirst for knowledge on environmental policy trends and developments,” said Sara Sander, Dean and Vice President of the Kaplan University School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. “Sound sustainability and environmental decisions begin with a balanced understanding of the environment and the ability to stay abreast of the latest findings, regulations and trends. This consciousness inspired us to create Kaplan University’s Environmental Policy Center, to help those who are interested in environmental policy scan through relevant news from multiple sources.”

The editors of the news feed monitor content from a broad spectrum of traditional news sources as well as individual thought leaders from government, education, the private sector, cause-related nonprofit organizations and even private citizens. News is organized into sections including environmental legislation & regulations, trends & ideas and a section that contains content written by or featuring Kaplan faculty and leadership. To learn more, visit the Kaplan Environmental Policy Center.

Other special-focus Centers within Kaplan University include the Center for Excellence in Financial Services, the Center for Public Service and Career Moves.

About Kaplan University
Kaplan University offers a different school of thought for higher education. It strives to help adult students unlock their talent by providing a practical, student-centered education that prepares them for careers in some of the fastest-growing industries. The University, which has its main campus in Davenport, Iowa, and its headquarters in Chicago, is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (http://www.ncahlc.org) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Kaplan University serves approximately 43,000 online and campus-based students. The University has 11 campuses in Iowa, Nebraska, Maryland and Maine, and Kaplan University Learning Centers in Maryland, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri and Florida.

Kaplan University is part of Kaplan Higher Education Group and Kaplan, Inc., a leading international provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan, Inc. serves approximately 60,000 students online and through 56 campus-based schools across the United States. Kaplan’s higher education schools offer a spectrum of academic opportunities, from certificates and diplomas to graduate and professional degrees, including a juris doctor degree. Kaplan serves students of all ages through a wide array of offerings including higher education, test preparation, professional training and programs for kids in grades K-12. Kaplan, Inc. is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company and its largest division. For more information, visit http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu.

Media Contact:
Amy Hawkinson
Director of Public Relations
Kaplan University
Office: 954-515-3603
Mobile: 954-459-1324
ahawkinson@kaplan.edu
http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu