Inaugural online family business degree launched

An Australian university has launched the first ever online degree dedicated to family business. Deakin University, which is based in Melbourne, will offer a Graduate Certificate of Management (Family Business) from March 2009.
 
Designed for family members, employees of family businesses and advisors to family businesses, the programme will offer three units of study: governing and managing a family business, human resources policies for family businesses and understanding family dynamics. A fourth unit will then be chosen from a range of subjects offered as part of Deakin’s MBA programme.
 
Dr Linda Glassop, coordinator of the new degree, said: “Family business operators are busy entrepreneurs and taking time out to travel to a study location is often difficult. It’s about time we had a degree focused on helping these unique businesses by bringing the university to their doorstep.”
 
As long as a student has internet access they can participate in the programme, whether they live in a major city or in a rural location. To ensure it runs smoothly, Deakin has a computer portal dedicated to teaching offline activities which includes study guides, reading material, a library and chat rooms.
 
Related Links:
For more business education stories click here.