News

College of Professional Studies Launches XR Certificate Programs in Partnership With Circuit Stream

The College of Professional Studies has partnered with the extended reality (XR) educational provider Circuit Stream to offer project-based training in AR/VR/XR courses through the University’s Office of Professional Acceleration and Microcredentials, giving students industry-recognized certification and skills in the rapidly growing 3D technology industry.

As the leading provider for XR education and Unity learning and certification, Circuit Stream has educated over 40,000 professionals and organizations through a range of interactive workshops, courses and other online resources.

“We’re very excited about this partnership,” says Circuit Stream CEO Lou Pushelberg. “By working with Syracuse University, we are hoping to broaden the knowledge and understanding of immersive technologies for professionals to accelerate and train the XR workforce, having a direct impact on surrounding industries.”

Two 10-week XR certificate programs will be offered starting in April. In the Interaction Design and Prototyping for XR certificate program, participants will learn to design new experiences for AR/VR/XR technologies, gain best practices and build a fundamental toolbox to create intuitive and immersive user interfaces.

The XR Development With Unity certificate program teaches participants to create AR and VR applications using Unity, C# and industry-standard tools for developing extended reality XR applications. XR Development program students will also receive a voucher to take the Unity Associate Programmer certification exam.

The problem-based learning challenges in these programs give students the opportunity to apply patterns of design to immersive environments and XR application and help them build a portfolio of projects demonstrating their understanding of AR/VR technology and industry best practices. Both programs are offered completely online with two 1.5 hour online live sessions during the week, along with optional evening drop-in office hours Monday through Friday.

Upon course completion, students will earn a certificate and a digital badge from Syracuse University and Circuit Stream, receive lifetime access to project material, resources and lectures, and gain membership to peer and professional networks through Circuit Stream’s XR Community.

“We’re proud to partner with Circuit Stream to make these courses and certifications available to our wider community. The College of Professional Studies is committed to offering the best online instruction in these rapidly expanding areas, and we feel that Circuit Stream’s course design, hands-on practice and instructor guidance are key ingredients for the success of our participants,” says Arthur P. Thomas, executive director of the Office of Professional Acceleration and Microcredentials in the College of Professional Studies. “With a growing demand for these skills and certifications within multiple market areas, the connections that participants can make within Circuit Stream’s network of employers is a win for everyone.”

Learn more about the certificate programs.

Syracuse University to Hold First Reception for Post-Traditional Alumni

Sean O’Keefe Announced as Special Guest for Alumni Event in Washington, D.C.

The College of Professional Studies is partnering with the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families and Syracuse University in DC for a night of alumni networking on April 26, 2022, at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.

“Over the past four years, the University has dramatically expanded its commitment to access for nontraditional learners. We’re excited to share with our Washington, D.C., alumni and friends how this expansion extends our mission and positions the University to provide global access and transformational education opportunities,” says Michael Frasciello, Ph.D., dean of the College of Professional Studies.

From 6:30 to 9 p.m., alumni and friends can enjoy an evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. There will be a brief program with remarks from J. Michael Haynie, Ph.D., Syracuse University’s vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, and Frasciello. University Professor Sean O’Keefe, one of only 17 Syracuse University faculty members to hold this designation, will be the evening’s special guest.

O’Keefe previously served as a presidential appointee during his time leading NASA as secretary of the Navy, as deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, as deputy assistant to the President and as comptroller and CFO at the Defense Department. He currently holds the position as the Howard and Louise Phanstiel Endowed Chair in Leadership at the Maxwell School. Moreover, his achievements also include honorary doctorate degrees from five higher education institutions, as well as the Department of Navy’s Public Service Award.

The event provides the opportunity for post-traditional, online and executive education alumni and students to connect in Washington, D.C.

“Engaging post-traditional alumni is a priority of Syracuse University,” says Jeffry Comanici, executive director of post-traditional alumni. “Working with partners from across campus, we have identified over 340,000 post-traditional alumni and are excited to include them in the Orange Family.”

To register for the reception, please visit: cc.syr.edu/april26dc

For questions or more information, contact Comanici at jjcomani@syr.edu or 315.443.1409.

About the College of Professional Studies

The College of Professional Studies is a global, inclusive and future-facing college, providing access to diverse students and learners seeking a Syracuse University degree, credential, certificate or education experience.

Developing Strengths for Women in Leadership Workshop to Donate Proceeds to Nanhi Kali

Join the College of Professional Studies and the Nanhi Kali Syracuse University chapter for Developing Strengths for Women in Leadership, a virtual workshop designed to help you use your natural talents to feel empowered and unlock your potential.    

With help and guidance from Liz Green, executive director for Online Student Success at the College of Professional Studies, and your pre-workshop CliftonStrengths assessment, you will explore how your top five strengths can help you support, engage and advocate for yourself and other women in leadership. The cost of the workshop supports Nanhi Kali’s initiative to raise funds for uniforms, school supplies and tuition costs for girls in India who are otherwise unable to attend elementary or middle school on their own.

Two Zoom workshop options are available and open to all on April 1 or April 8 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST. The cost is $52 to attend.

Advocating for women in leadership, this workshop will donate 100% of the profits to Nanhi Kali, “an organization initiated by Mahindra in India with a goal to educate underprivileged girl children,” says Ruchita Harsora, Nanhi Kali’s Syracuse University chapter president.

“The workshop will encompass multiple avenues for self-reflection and engagement activities for participants to better understand their individual Top 5 Strengths and communicate with others about their strengths,” Green says. “CliftonStrengths provides a common lens for us to share and connect with our colleagues, coworkers and friends, and provides a foundation for us to effectively advocate for ourselves and others.”

As a registered graduate student organization, the Nanhi Kali Syracuse University chapter aims to raise awareness about the importance of educational access, Harsora says.

“This specific opportunity helps us give back to the community one of the essentials – education. Education is the steppingstone to success in any field and it’s a golden opportunity for us to give something back to an underserved community,” Harsora says. “We get a chance to give the privilege of education to the generation that is going to shape our future.”

To learn more or register for the workshop, visit here.

 

About the College of Professional Studies

The College of Professional Studies is a global, inclusive and future-facing college, providing access to diverse students and learners seeking a Syracuse University degree, credential, certificate or education experience.

WRVO Highlights Syracuse University Cannabis Certificates

In the world of higher education, online cannabis courses are blooming. New classes provided in partnership with Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies and Green Flower allow students to study cannabis-related programs such as healthcare and medicine, agriculture and horticulture, law and policy, and the business of cannabis.

Green Flower CEO Max Simon said he expects cannabis to create between 60,000 and 80,000 jobs in New York state over the next few years alone. 

“The certificates provide the specific ability to say, ‘Now I understand enough about this, so no matter what happens in the industry, and/or what happens in regulations, I’ll know how to go from here,’” says Art Thomas, executive director of the Office of Professional Acceleration and Microcredentials.

Read more.