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Graduate Certificate Programs

The College of Business offers graduate certificate programs that are ideal for individuals looking to expand their skill-sets, brush up on knowledge post-grad, specialize in their field of study, or get the educational foundation for a field outside of their degree.

Graduate Certificate in Business Administration

Now accepting applications!

The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration provides professionals with a milestone accomplishment for career advancement and a pathway into Louisiana Tech’s MBA program. This certificate allows students with a baccalaureate degree (from regionally accredited institutions meeting the University’s admission criteria) to take any four of the seven core MBA courses. To earn the certificate, the cumulative GPA for the core MBA courses must be 3.0 or higher.

Build towards something more.
The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration is a unique opportunity to quickly gain fundamental business knowledge and earn a graduate-level credential from an AACSB-accredited, Tier 1 research university. And that’s just the beginning. If the participating student earns a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, the GMAT requirement may be waived if the student applies for admission to the MBA program.

Curriculum 

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Graduate Certificate in Information Assurance

For those seeking experience in the fields of security, information security, computer forensics—and more—the Graduate Certificate in Information Assurance is the right path for you. This certificate is a standalone program and may also be taken in conjunction with the MBA with a CIS/ Information Assurance Concentration.

The Louisiana Tech Center for Information Assurance is a National Security Agency (NSA) Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research and Education, and the Graduate Certificate in Information Assurance has received the The Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) Designation. This designation is awarded to regionally accredited academic institutions offering cybersecurity degrees and/or certificates at the associates, bachelors, and graduate levels.

During the IA courses, you will develop the skills for positions in systems and network security, learning to detect, report and resolve cyber threats. Courses also cover the use of code encryption to securely pass information between systems, building and using secure audio and video communications equipment, developing tamper protection products and providing trusted information solutions. Students will master the skills of assessing, auditing evaluation, testing network and systems security and conducting forensic investigations while also learning how to perform information systems risk analysis and plan for disaster recovery and business continuity. 

What’s Required to Enroll?

To enroll, students must have a minimum of a 2.5 (4.0 system) grade point average on all work attempted or 2.75 on the last 60 hours attempted. Once admitted, you must earn a 3.0 or better each quarter of registration. Students wishing to apply must complete the Graduate School application and have a bachelor’s degree; the GRE and GMAT are not required to enroll. The courses will be offered on our main campus in Ruston and in Bossier City at the National Cyber Research Park. For the schedule of offerings, contact the Graduate Programs office.

Curriculum

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Program Outcomes

  • The program provides an introduction to fundamental concepts, terminologies, IA models and practices, and teaches students to view how different fields of disciplines interact in the area of information system assurance. Students are familiarized with the technical, legal, socio-political, and managerial issues of IA, and as well as the common body of knowledge for the security certification exams.               
  • Students are introduced to basic concepts of digital forensic science, and explore the specific areas of media, network and code forensics. Students also examine the role of digital forensics in public and private investigations, and analyze the potential benefits, limitations and risks of digital forensics. Student awareness of managerial issues raised by the use of digital forensics is increased, and concepts are practiced through experiential exercises.                    
  • Students design and manage the continuity of business operations through planning, incident reporting, and disaster recovery planning.                                               
  • Students are presented with the organizational issues of risk analysis including reliability, safety, security, and privacy, in addition to methods for risk assessment and security evaluations. Students are introduced to risk management business challenges and risk assessment approaches, then apply risk assessment into risk mitigation plans. 

MBA Concentration in Information Assurance

The IA courses may also be used as a concentration for the MBA degree. To do so, you must be admitted to the MBA program which can be done before or after the IA sequence is completed. For more information on the MBA with a concentration in IA, click here and choose the Traditional MBA tab.

Contact

To learn more about the Information Assurance Certificate program, contact:

Dr. Selwyn Ellis
Department Head of Computer Information Systems
318.257.3514
ellis@latech.edu

College of Business Graduate Programs Office 
318.257.4529
businessgrad@latech.edu

Graduate Certificate in Business Data Analytics

The Graduate Certificate in Business Data Analytics provides training in business data analytics, data visualization, and data-driven decision-making. In addition to courses in business intelligence, the certificate will teach students effective communication with non-technical colleagues. 

The Graduate Certificate in Business Data Analytics offers professionals a standalone credential to build and expand their skills and knowledge base to meet the growing needs of employers in the areas of analytical decision making, big data, and AI. The certificate can also serve as an embedded credential for students completing the MBA with a concentration in Business Data Analytics. It is offered in a 100% online format or in a hybrid format. 

This certificate allows students with a baccalaureate degree (from regionally accredited institutions meeting the University’s admission criteria) to take 12 hours comprised of the following:

  • CIS 506: Information Systems and Analytics (3 hours)
  • CIS 507: Advanced Visual Analytics (3 hours)

Plus two of the following electives:

  • ECON 545: Data Analytics in R (3 hours)
  • FINC 527: Advanced Financial Analytics (3 hours)
  • MKTG 533: Advanced Marketing Research (3 hours)
  • ACCT 520: Accounting Analytics for Managers (3 hours)

Certificate in Business Foundations (Pre-MBA, Post Baccalaureate)

Interested in joining our MBA program, but don’t have an undergraduate degree in business? Perhaps you just like to work on things at your own pace or are trying to build on skills that you already have from working in the field. The Certificate in Business Foundations offers you the flexibility to do both. With self-paced, pass/fail-basis courses offered entirely online, this post-baccalaureate certificate is designed with today’s business world—and individual—in mind. Work towards having the essential foundation business skills on your own schedule, on your own time. Applicants for this program should apply using the undergraduate admissions application. (You will create an account as an undergraduate applicant, then select “Post-Baccalaureate” as the Student Type.)

Who Should Enroll?

The study of business foundations provides valuable knowledge that will be especially useful to:

  • Recent college graduates with non-business degrees who wish to acquire business knowledge to expand their skill set and job prospects.
  • Current professionals looking to advance their careers.
  • Those wishing to pursue an MBA (as select courses from this certificate may be used to meet foundation requirements for the MBA degree at Louisiana Tech).

Who Can Enroll in the Program?

There are no prerequisite courses for this program. Any students who hold non-business degrees from an accredited university may pursue the Business Foundations Certificate after successful admission to Louisiana Tech University.

Curriculum

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Courses may not be applied toward the completion of an undergraduate degree program at Louisiana Tech.

Contact

To learn more about the Certificate in Business Foundations program, please contact:

Dr. William McCumber
Associate Dean of Graduate Programs
318.257.4525
mccumber@latech.edu

College of Business Graduate Programs Office 
318.257.4528
businessgrad@latech.edu

If you are interested in learning more about our Undergraduate Certificates, click here. 

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