Service Sector Management Specialist (SSMI)  Technical Certificate of Credit


Campus Locations: Vidalia, Swainsboro

The Service Sector Management Specialist Certificate prepares individuals to become supervisors in business and service-related companies. Learning opportunities will introduce, develop, and reinforce students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement in management. Graduates will receive a Service Sector Management Specialist Technical Certificate of Credit.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for Service Sector Management Specialists will be the fastest growing area of management. Nearly three-quarters of projected job growth is concentrated in three industry groups—business services, health services, and engineering, management, and other services. College graduates and those who have earned certification should have the best job opportunities. Competition for these positions can be very competitive and management education can provide a competitive edge. Service Sector Management Specialists perform the managerial function for the organization. Supervisors are on the front line of management between hourly employees and management. Leaders in this field require good customer service skills. They must have clear and persuasive communication skills, analytical minds, and the skill to evaluate complex relationships among numerous factors. Dealing with people is an important part of the job. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment in the service sector to be the fastest growing segment, applicants with management experience along with a college degree in marketing, customer relations, or a related field, will enjoy the best job prospects.

The standard curriculum for the Service Sector Management Specialist Certificate program is designed for the semester system. Students may enter the program any semester. The Service Sector Management Specialist Certificate takes approximately three (3) semesters to complete and is online. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 18 hours.

Requirements

  • Submit a completed application;
  • Be at least 16 years of age;
  • Submit official high school/high school equivalent transcripts;
  • Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
  • Satisfy Placement Testing requirements.

Program Costs

Costs are estimates and are subject to change.

  • Tuition/Fees: $2,186
  • Books/Supplies: $500
Curriculum Outline (18 hours)
Occupational Courses 18
MGMT 1100

(Prerequisite: Provisional admission) Develops skills and behaviors necessary for successful supervision of people and job responsibilities. Emphasis will be placed on real life concepts, personal skill development, applied knowledge and managing human resources. Course content is intended to help managers and supervisors deal with a dramatically changing workplace being affected by technology changes, a more competitive and global marketplace, corporate restructuring and the changing nature of work and the workforce. Topics include: Understanding the manager's job and work environment, building an effective organizational culture, leading, directing, and the application of authority, planning, decision-making, and problem-solving, human resource management, administrative management, organizing, and controlling.

3
MGMT 2205

(Prerequisite: None) This course focuses on supervision in the service sector with special emphasis on team building, quality management, and developing a customer focus. The challenge of providing world-class customer service is addressed through sections on principles of service industry supervision, career development, problem solving, stress management, and conflict resolution. Topics include: principles of service industry supervision, team building, customer service operations, TQM in a service environment, business software applications, communication in the service sector, introduction to information systems, selling principles and sales management, retail management, and legal issues in the service sector.

3
MGMT 2125

(Prerequisite: Provisional admission) Develops an understanding of how fostering employer/employee relationships in the work setting improves work performance. Develops legal counseling and disciplinary techniques to use in various workplace situations. Topics include: the definitions of coaching, counseling, and discipline; importance of the coaching relationship; implementation of an effective counseling strategy; techniques of effective discipline; and performance evaluation techniques.

3
MGMT 2130

(Prerequisite: Provisional admission) Addresses the challenges of improving the performance and career potential of employees, while benefiting the student in their own preparation for success in the workplace. The focus is on both training and career and personal development. Shows the student how to recognize when training and development is needed and how to plan, design and deliver and effective program of training for employees. Opportunities are provided for the student to develop their own career plans, assess their work-related skills, and practice a variety of skills desired by employers. Topics include: developing a philosophy of training; having systems approach to training and development; the context of training; conducting a needs analysis; critical success factors for employees; learning principles; designing and implementing training plans; conducting and evaluating training; human resource development and careers; personal career development planning; and applications in interpersonal relationships and communication.

3
MGMT 2140

(Prerequisites: None) Develops a working knowledge of managing a retail business from a variety of perspectives with an emphasis on store management. The emphasis is on contemporary issues in retailing, particularly the process of supervising customer service and dealing with the changing demographics of retailing. An application focus on the use of information technologies, the internet, and electronic retailing is intended to give the student hands-on experience in retail management. Topics include: strategic retail management; store, non-store, and non-traditional retailing; retail human resource management; developing a customer-focused service strategy; managing customer service; retail operations and financial management; merchandise management; buying and inventory management; global, cataloging, and electronic retail management, information technology applications in retailing.

3
Choose One (3 hours) 3
COMP 1000

This course introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include introductions to computer and digital terminology and usage, operating systems, Internet and digital communication, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, database applications, and presentation applications.

3
GUI 003Guided Elective (3 hours) 3
Approved Electives: BUSN 1240, BUSN 1330, BUSN 1400, BUSN 1410, BUSN 1420, BUSN 1430, COMP 1000, BUSN 2190, MGMT 2410, MGMT 2150, MGMT 1135, or ACCT 1100.
Faculty
Advisor

Business Management Instructor
Vidalia Campus - Gillis Building, Office 807

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