Professional Development Certificate

Program Overview

The Professional Development Certificate provides an opportunity for Blue Ridge Community and Technical College students to enhance their learning experience by completing a series of educational courses in a specialized area.  Along with core courses, each certificate offers a balanced curriculum with coursework in communication, social and cultural awareness, and scientific and quantitative reasoning along with focused study in a particular content area.  The coursework is essential to prepare students seeking to expand their knowledge and competencies as they complete an associate’s degree and/or enter or advance in the workforce.  

The certificate is designed to be completed in one year of full-time enrollment at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. The specialized study is offered in the following areas: Communication Studies, General Education, Public Relations, and Social Sciences. The specific course requirements for each Professional Development Certificate Track are outlined below.

Program Outcomes

• Apply critical thinking and mathematical skills to solve problems.
• Compose coherent documents and oral presentations appropriate to a specific purpose and audience.
• Utilize psychological or sociological principles to analyze personal, societal, and organizational issues.

Career Opportunities

Completion of the Professional Development Certificate demonstrates to employers and transfer institutions a student’s commitment to the acquisition of knowledge in both core subjects and a specialized content area.  This coursework is designed to enhance academic and professional competencies.