SME and U. Phoenix team to provide credits for certification.
Press Release Summary:
SME and University of Phoenix reached agreement that will provide holders of SME certifications with articulation credits toward their college degree. Time spent towards earning degree will be expedited through Prior Learning Assessment, potentially saving as much as one entire semester in courses. Also, University's Apollo Quick List(TM) contains professional certificates and licenses that have been pre-evaluated for college-level equivalency.
Original Press Release:
You May Be Closer to a College Degree than You Thought
SME and University of Phoenix Team Together to Provide Credits for Certification.
DEARBORN, Mich. - The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and University of Phoenix have reached an agreement that will provide holders of SME certifications with articulation credits toward their college degree. This will enable them to expedite their time towards a degree through a prior learning assessment, potentially saving them as much as an entire semester in courses.
"The Bureau of Labor Statistics* confirms that the more you learn, the more you earn and the less likely you are to be unemployed," says Dr. Tim Welsh, vice president, academic alliances, Apollo Group Inc, University of Phoenix. "Our Prior Learning Assessment enables students to save time and money to complete their degree program and increase their ability to advance in their career."
The Prior Learning Assessment process applies to associate's or bachelor's degree candidates and awarded credits are limited to elective or general education requirements. To be eligible for this credit, individuals need to be admitted and matriculated and will need to have received and approved all the necessary transcripts and paperwork.
"We are thrilled to provide our certification holders with these credits," said Pam Hurt, strategic alliances and workforce development manager, SME. "Many manufacturing practitioners found themselves downsized out of jobs during the recent economic crisis and turned to programs such as SME certification to provide them with twenty-first century skills. Now, not only will their certification make them more desirable to potential employers, but they're also that much closer to that all-important degree."
The University's Apollo Quick List(TM) (Pre-Evaluated Training List) contains professional certificates and licenses that have been pre-evaluated for college-level equivalency. SME is part of a select group of organizations recognized by the University as providing key competencies required to warrant these college credits.
Hurt adds, "For individuals trying to determine if certification is right for them, adding the value of college credits to the equation makes their decision that much easier. It's a win-win situation for their career in both the present and future state."
Credits awarded are:
Certified Manufacturing Technicians (CMfgT) may receive up to 13 credits
Certified Manufacturing Engineers (CMfgE) may receive up to 15 credits
Bronze Lean Certification Holders may receive up to 5 credits
Silver Lean Certification Holders may receive up to 7 credits
Gold Lean Certification Holders may receive up to 9 credits
For more information about SME's Certification program, visit www.sme.org/certification and for additional information about University of Phoenix's Learning Assessment Program, visit http://www.phoenix.edu/admissions/prior_learning_assessment.html.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics. More education: Higher earnings, lower unemployment. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/1999/fall/oochart.pdf.
About SME:
Founded in 1932, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its many programs, events and activities, SME connects manufacturing practitioners to each other, to the latest technology and the most up-to-date processes spanning all manufacturing industries and disciplines, plus the key areas of aerospace and defense, medical device, motor vehicles, including motorsports, oil and gas and alternative energy. A 501(c)3 organization, SME has members around the world and is supported by a network of technical communities and chapters worldwide.
About University of Phoenix:
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help students balance education and life in a rapidly changing world. Through flexible schedules, challenging courses and interactive learning, students achieve personal and career aspirations without putting their lives on hold. As of February 28, 2010, 458,600 students were enrolled at University of Phoenix, the largest private university in North America. University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world.
