74%
74% of business and human resource leaders believe reskilling is important for their success.
Source: Deloitte
Deliver more value in an ever-changing business world
Advanced Professional Graduate Certificate
The global pandemic has transformed how companies and people do business. As new opportunities emerge and the marketplace evolves, professionals are required to develop new knowledge or change their focus to overcome future business challenges. Leaders in every organization and across all functional areas are expected to routinely innovate and deliver more value at an ever-increasing pace.
Whether you are looking for professional growth, a career shift or to refresh your skills, the post-master’s Advanced Professional Graduate Certificate will position you to successfully navigate the future challenges in any organization. By tailoring your own curriculum, you’ll be able to customize your degree plan, personalize your learning objectives, and develop skills and competencies relevant to your career.
The post-master's Advanced Professional Graduate Certificate is designed for working professionals. You’ll choose your own pace, with options of studying part-time, full-time, online, on campus or in a hybrid model.
70%
On average, employers expect to offer upskilling to just over 70% of their employees by 2025.
Source: World Economic Forum
13%+
Earners of a Graduate Certificate see an estimated 13 – 25% salary increase.
Source: Forbes
Program Overview
Formats & Schedule
The Advanced Professional Graduate is a 12-credit program designed to be competed in as little as two semesters. To earn the certificate, students must take:
- 12 credits (four 3 credit courses or a combination of 1.5 and 3 credit courses)
The certificate can be completed fully online or with a combination of in person and online courses.
Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree and Master’s or higher in any subject
- Application form and essays
- 2 years’ work experience recommended; related professional experience is valuable, but not required
Graduate Tommie Alumni 25% Discount
Continue your education at St. Thomas. As a graduate of St. Thomas, you will receive a 25% discount on the total tuition cost if:
- You are graduate of any Opus College of Business graduate degree program or
- You are a graduate from any other St. Thomas graduate program
This discount is not available to applicants who did not receive their advanced degree from St. Thomas.
Formats & Schedule
The Advanced Professional Graduate is a 12-credit program designed to be competed in as little as two semesters. To earn the certificate, students must take:
- 12 credits (four 3 credit courses or a combination of 1.5 and 3 credit courses)
The certificate can be completed fully online or with a combination of in person and online courses.
Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree and Master’s or higher in any subject
- Application form and essays
- 2 years’ work experience recommended; related professional experience is valuable, but not required
Graduate Tommie Alumni 25% Discount
Continue your education at St. Thomas. As a graduate of St. Thomas, you will receive a 25% discount on the total tuition cost if:
- You are graduate of any Opus College of Business graduate degree program or
- You are a graduate from any other St. Thomas graduate program
This discount is not available to applicants who did not receive their advanced degree from St. Thomas.
Featured Courses
Emerging Tech in Business
3 credits
Gain foundational knowledge on essential emerging technologies (e.g. artificial intelligence, extended reality, internet of things, robotics, etc.). Develop competencies for leading in a digital world as you complete a horizon assessment and imagine a future application for a chosen technology in a personally relevant context. Responsible and sustainable application will be emphasized throughout.
Persuasion
3 credits
Study theory and research on social influence and persuasion, drawing primarily from work in the social sciences. Learn how to increase message persuasiveness, instigate behavioral and attitude change, and protect yourself from unwanted persuasion. Topics covered are broadly applicable, but relate particularly to issues in marketing, sales and management.
Introduction to Business Analytics
3 credits
Develop the technical skills you need to address practical business problems. Learn to analyze and solve management problems using quantitative and analytical methods such as spreadsheet modeling, linear programming, transportation modeling, decision analysis, project management, and simulations.
Focus on Faculty
Rama Hart
Dr. Rama Hart has spent the past 20 years as an educator and consultant in the areas of leadership and organization development, virtual team collaboration and communication and management consulting. She has consulted with many nonprofit and Fortune 100 organizations, helping them apply innovative approaches to leadership and team development, strategic visioning and planning, and organizational change.
Peter Young
Peter Young holds a Ph.D. in risk management from the University of Minnesota, and has authored an influential risk management textbook: Risk Management and Insurance (McGraw-Hill, coauthored with Michael Smith). In addition to his academic responsibilities, Young acts as a professional consultant, advising on risk management for a client list that includes the Risk Office at Novo Nordisk (Denmark), the South Dakota Technology and Science Authority and DUSEL (University of California-Berkeley), SABMiller plc (UK and South Africa) and Anchor Bank in the Twin Cities.
Seeing is Believing
Get in Touch
St. Thomas Opus College of Business is an incredible place to learn, meet inspiring peers and mentors, and build a strong career path. Don’t just take our word for it—experience St. Thomas firsthand. Visit a class, attend an info session, or chat with the admissions team.