What’s happening?
Because they are not for-credit, the new courses at UH’s Katy campus are built for executive professionals who often have already earned degrees and are looking to sharpen their skills, advance their careers and gain practical tools they can apply in the workplace, said Cheryl Baldwin, associate dean of executive education.
“We don’t work with students at all—the clients we serve are local businesses, corporate clients,” Baldwin said. “Companies that are interested in professional development training for their teams reach out to executive education, [and] our faculty will custom-design those programs for them.”
The courses available for professional development at the Katy campus will include:
- Artificial intelligence: business applications and best practices
- Financial management for non-financial managers
- Foundations of supply chain management
- From management to leadership: mastering the transition
- Human resources for non-HR professionals
- Leading change for healthcare professionals
- Leading high-performance teams
Courses can range from half a day to several days, with participants receiving a certificate they can post on LinkedIn upon completion, Baldwin said. But while the classes are targeted toward industry professionals, individuals are also welcome, with an entry fee of $1,420 for single-day courses, according to a course catalogue.
Additionally, Bauer currently offers a five-day “mini-MBA” course, which they hope to bring to Katy in 2027, Baldwin said. The program puts participants through what they would do for a typical Master of Business Administration, before specializing in their specific field.
Why it matters
Baldwin said the Bauer College has a “leg up” over competitors who offer similar training because of the connection with the university.
“There aren’t a lot of universities in that space providing this kind of service,” she said. “So, for us, the local companies will have the advantage of gaining this training and not having to drive all the way downtown or send their people somewhere else.”
As many companies in the area grow quickly and rapidly change how they are navigating professional development—especially as it relates to managing artificial intelligence and technology—it was the “perfect time” to expand, Baldwin said.
“Companies are trying to invest in their employees to ensure that they provide them with the training that will help retain them,” she said.
Going forward
Classes will begin rolling out March 27, with a free kickoff event from 8:30 a.m. to noon March 6, according to the catalogue. The kickoff will feature two 90-minute interactive previews of AI for business leaders as well as leadership and management essentials.
The event is designed for business owners, senior leaders and HR professionals, officials said. Seats are limited with registration required at www.bauer.uh.edu/execkatykickoff.
