Syracuse’s Whitman School launches new professional-certification program

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University has launched the Whitman Industry Readiness & Excellence (WIRE) Initiative.

WIRE seeks to encourage students to pursue professional certifications from “industry recognized” organizations. These certifications offer “tangible support and augment” the students’ skillsets and abilities — “or in other words, industry readiness or evidence of excellence in a particular domain.”

Syracuse describes WIRE as a “new program that strengthens our commitment to prepare our students for a world of accelerating change.”

The WIRE Initiative is part of the IMPRESS 2.0 Program, funded by Kenneth Goodman, a 1970 graduate of Syracuse University.

“Our development of this program aids to further reinforce our emphasis on the skills needed to be successful in the job market. Acquiring professional certifications from highly recognizable organizations and associations demonstrates students’ readiness for employment and closes the learning curve that they will face on the job,” Alexander McKelvie, associate dean for undergraduate and master’s education and professor of entrepreneurship at the Whitman School, said. “In turn, this should lead to higher job placement and improved career advancement for our students.”

WIRE aims to help students learn about the requirements and processes for taking the certification exam. WIRE also includes Whitman’s financial support for students to complete the certification, “oftentimes costing a few hundred dollars,” Syracuse University said.

All current Whitman students in good academic standing are eligible to apply to receive funding for completing the certifications, including undergraduates who have declared a major and residential and online MBA and M.S. students.

The school will consider applications to the WIRE initiative based on “merit and thoroughness” of the application, and with a particular emphasis on the placement and advancement opportunities from having the certification.

The application can be found here.