#13 Smeal Professional Graduate Programs: Leading the Way in #Lifelonglearning

Dr. Brian Cameron, Associate Dean of Professional Graduate Programs, discusses how Penn State Smeal College of Business leads the way in the creation of "stackable" online and residential programs with a wide variety of concentrations, choice, and flexibility. In the online space, Smeal offers one of the most robust and flexible portfolio of specialty master's programs and graduate certificates in the country. This portfolio is designed to enhance skill development and support an individual's 'portfolio career'. Brian shares the latest trends in business higher education, for example "stackable" programs allowing professionals to acquire a certificate and then continue on to receive a Master's degree in a way that complements a busy working lifestyle."There is a number of things that we have seen students are looking for in a program today. Obviously they are looking at the reputation institution and the quality. But, more and more, Gen Zers want the ability to customize the program around their individual needs, they want a lot of flexibility and a lot of control over how they get the degree and what it looks like. This is one of the driving forces behind our portfolio."—Dr. Brian Cameron