COD Launches Business Anthropology Certificate Program this Fall

College of DuPage will launch a new Business Anthropology Certificate this fall, becoming the only community college in the country to offer such a program.

The 14-credit hour program, approved this spring by the Illinois Community College Board, trains students for jobs in the global workforce.

“We're a lot more globally connected and cultural differences are playing a key role in the business world,” said Assistant Anthropology Professor Derrick Willis. “When miscommunication happens– in business, things can turn out badly.”

Cultural differences directly impact a business' bottom line, making a keen understanding of how culture and customs impact commerce vitally important in today's marketplace, Willis said. Skills obtained through this new certificate apply to a wide variety of fields as more and more companies seek to hire individuals those who can quickly and efficiently identify potential cultural roadblocks.

This program is also key for students who already have a bachelor's degree who want to improve their skills set with advanced cultural knowledge, critical thinking and analytical skills, Willis said. The certificate includes field assignments and critical analysis, and students can opt to personalize their studies, choosing to focus their project on a particular type of industry.

The Business Anthropology Certificate prepares students for jobs in business management, market analysis research, community and health-related fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job forecast for these fields is expected to grow faster than other occupations through 2018. In addition, state occupational employment projections for DuPage County anticipate an average 2.1 percent annual increase in these industries through 2016.

“There's a great deal of diversity in the business world, and College of DuPage is proud to be the first community college to offer this type of training,” Willis said. “Something as seemingly unimportant as a simple mannerism can be an insult, depending on the cultural context. Our students will learn to identify these potential red flags, providing companies with information vital to their continued success.”

For more information on the Business Anthropology Certificate program, call (630) 942-2010, or visit: http://www.cod.edu/programs/pdf/career/anthropology_cert.pdf.