California Institute of Finance Booming
Posted on August 14, 2006 in News
California Lutheran University launched the California Institute of Finance - an online MBA in Financial Planning degree program - in January 2005 with five students, offering courses developed in conjunction with Learning House, Inc. A year and a half later, the enrollment is 100.
“It’s booming here,” said Financial Planning Program Director Dr. Somnath Basu. And there isn’t any sign of stopping as the Institute will soon launch its new marketing campaign.
California Institute of Finance’s success comes, Dr. Basu explained, from a “holistic” approach to excellence. Focus is placed on all elements that make up an online learning experience. “It’s not just the quality of programs,” he said. “It’s everything, from the faculty and the library to the new career center.”
Dr. Basu credits the virtual library, also built through the partnership with Learning House, with much of the program’s success and appeal. An element that he sees being overlooked by many online degree programs as less important, the library, he said, is an essential part of any learning institution - online or traditional.
“A library is about scholarship and research,” he explained. “That’s the hallmark of any good institution.” The California Institute of Finance is putting in its time and effort behind that scholarship and research, building a solid backbone for its program and students. The work has paid off, as now the virtual library is a great showpiece to impress visitors. It’s even been the main reason some professors have joined the faculty, to have access to its academic resources.
Dr. Basu readily admits that an education from the California Institute of Finance costs more than many other online degree programs; it’s tuition is equivalent to that of a traditional, on-campus experience. “You get what you pay for,” he said. The Institute’s library and other assets make the investment worth it.
Next steps for the California Institute of Finance are focused on improving upon that foundation of quality. Beyond the marketing push, the Institute is launching a series of events and developments to gain name recognition and clout. That effort includes the foundation of a Behavioral Finance Lab to study emerging financial trends, launching an annual conference on commercial financial planning, and funding faculty fellowships.
“We’re making a name for ourselves,” Dr. Basu said, “Based on academic integrity.”
About California Lutheran University
California Lutheran University is an intellectually rich community nestled in the idyllic Conejo Valley halfway between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. With its intimate size and beautiful location, CLU provides the perfect setting for lively debate, a diverse curriculum and a learning environment that values the individual. California Lutheran University’s MBA in financial planning has been accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). CLU’s program in Financial Planning has been registered with Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc (CFP Board).
About Learning House, Inc.
Learning House, Inc. was founded in 1985 by Dr. Denzil Edge. It is a comprehensive eLearning services company that develops customized eContent, as well as audio and video products; hosts and leases course management systems; leases or sells eContent; and provides 24/7 Help Desk services, project management services, consultation and research services, editing services, and staff training for its clientele. Learning House, Inc. provides eLearning services to numerous institutions of higher education, professional organizations, government agencies, and businesses.
Source: Learning House, Inc. To learn more about CLU, please click here.