Graduate Certificate for School Business Managers

Students will study key financial concepts, identify financial decisions and learn to analyze an organization’s status using accounting methods, financial tools, and techniques. Engage in budgeting and financial reporting techniques, inventory control, purchasing, capital project planning, and debt service management. Additionally, students will develop knowledge in the management of school operations, food services, school transportation, and plant maintenance. Designed for prospective school business administrators, this program includes management concepts and techniques and the skills needed in collective negotiations and contract management in public schools. The program will deepen an understanding of the school business administrator roles and responsibilities by integrating theoretical and research course work with practice and reflection on development as a school business leader. Students will conduct an action research project and lead efforts that contribute to progress on a financial and operational process in a school district or consortium. The School Business Manager Certificate can be completed in two semesters of part-time study (summer term and fall semester).