Are you preparing for a promotion, career change or career enhancement? Through Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning, UB provides a variety of certification and licensure programmes and short certificate courses to help you achieve your career goal.  For your convenience, our classes normally run from 8-12 weeks and are held during the fall and spring semesters on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon or 1:00 p.m. and on weekdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

How to Register?

  1. Individuals interested in certification and licensure programmes and Level 3 short certificate courses must schedule an interview with Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning to discuss eligibility requirements.
  2. Complete the Professional Development Application Form.
  3. Attach a copy of the relevant pages of a valid passport (showing passport number, photo identification and expiration date) or a certificate of identity along with the other required supporting documents to the completed application. An affidavit or marriage certificate must be submitted where the name on the passport or certificate of identity differs from the name on academic certificates or other records.
  4. Pay a non-refundable processing fee of $40.00 in the form of cash, bank certified cheque, debit card or credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Suncard) at the Business Office 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. weekdays; and
  5. Submit completed application along with supporting documents and proof of payment of the processing fee to Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. weekdays.

CELEARN Professional and Personal Development Schedule 2021-2022

UB offers a variety of certification programmes through strategic partnerships with leading national and international agencies and associations.  These include: American Medical Technologists (AMT), Becker CPA Professional Education (CPA), Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM), International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), International Council of Nurses (ICN), National Management Association of America (NMA) and the Nurses Association of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas (NACB).  Certification programmes are offered in the fall (August) and spring (January) and run from 6 – 9 months.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Associate Level Certification: an associate degree or equivalent or a minimum of 4 years work experience as a support function in any discipline.
  • Professional Level Certification: a bachelor’s degree or equivalent and a minimum of 2 years’ work experience in a technical, managerial or administrative position.

Human Resource Management (Associate and Professional Level Certification)

  • Nine month programme for individuals seeking professional development or wishing to rise through the ranks in the HR field.
  • Management-oriented exploration of human resource management, structure, functional applications and labour management relations.
  • Course content is organised into 6 broad areas: Introduction to the Human Resource Environment; Securing Human Resources; HRD and Training; Rewards, Compensation and Benefits; Labour Management Relations; Protecting and Evaluating Human Resources.

Justice of the Peace/Lay Magistrate

  • Focuses on the work of the Justice of the Peace in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
  • Participants enhance their understanding of the duties of a Justice of the Peace.
  • Includes lectures on the preparation of legal documents, the Constitution of The Bahamas, relevant components of law, legal phrases and terminology and a professional development seminar.

Office Administration (Professional Level Certification)

  • Enhances the participant’s understanding of office equipment, Microsoft Windows and the Internet.
  • Sessions on MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, MS Access and MS PowerPoint improve computer application skills.

Office Technology (Professional Level Certification)

  • Enhances the participant’s understanding of office equipment, Microsoft Windows and the Internet.
  • Sessions on MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, MS Access and MS PowerPoint improve computer application skills.

Paralegal (Professional Level Certification)

  • Designed for individuals wishing to work at the paralegal level.
  • Prepares participants for the Paralegal Certificate in Law.
  • Topics include: Legal Environment; General Legal Principles; Law Office Management; Legal Writing & Research; Ethics & Professional Responsibility; Computer Fundamentals.

Phlebotomy (Professional Level Certification)

  • Follows guidelines established by the Department of Health and the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
  • Prepares participants for the phlebotomy technician certification national exam as well as the AMT international exam.
  • Course topics include: Basic Anatomy and Medical Terminology; Infection Control; Procedures to Appropriately Collect Laboratory Specimens; How to Communicate with Patients.
  • Successful completion of the exams qualifies participants for work in a clinical laboratory or healthcare environment.

Professional Management (Associate and Professional Level Certification)

  • Provides supervisors, managers and team leaders with fundamental knowledge for today’s management challenges.
  • Participants gain the competence needed to meet high standards of performance.

Professional Secretary

Associate Level Certification (Duties as an Office Assistant/Clerk)

  • Addresses the skill set necessary for Office Assistants/Clerks to execute their job functions in an effective and efficient manner.
  • Content addresses on-the-job realities within public and private sector organisations in The Bahamas.
  • Emphasis is on continuous development of skills such as computer and self-leadership skills and on ethical conduct within and outside the work environment.
  • Participants learn how to optimise their performance and make decisions based on ethical criteria.

Professional Level Certification (Duties as a Professional Secretary)

  • Offers the skill set necessary to execute job functions in an effective and efficient manner.
  • Course syllabus based on the standards of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).
  • Emphasis is on office management, first level supervisory skills, business writing and document production and on ethical conduct within and outside the work environment.

Project Management (Associate and Professional Level Certification)

  • Eight module programme focusing on strengthening project management skills.
  • Using the PMP PMBOK content, the five process areas of project management are addressed and the nine knowledge areas discussed at an advanced level: leadership; project performance management; project plan development; people-based project management; project quality, scope, time, cost, human resources, communications, risk, procurement and integration management.

Public Accounting (Professional Level Certification) - The Becker CPA Review

  • Computer Based Test (CBT).
  • Besides the obvious transition from a pencil-and-paper exam to a computer-based test, the revised test broadens the scope of audit and attest areas and incorporates the assessment of critical skills such as research and communication.
  • Greater emphasis on general business knowledge and information technology.
  • Successful participants may sit the final exams under the United States CPA Board.

Training & Development (Professional Level Certification)

  • Offered over eight weeks.
  • Provides an in-depth analysis of the methodology and practice of training and development.
  • Participants learn to plan and execute training and development programmes that align with career goals as well as the company’s growth plan and/or current needs.
  • Course content includes: needs assessment, motivating trainees and trainers, basic procedures in developing training programmes, steps in evaluating trainee’s and trainers’ learning styles and costing training products.
  • Participants document steps in traditional delivery methods and alternatives.

These programmes provide training for plumbing and electrical contracting

Journeyman Plumbing License (Associate Level Certification)

  • Offered during the fall (August) semester.
  • Designed for plumbing apprentices wishing to obtain the first level/associate licence in plumbing.
  • Prepares participants for the Journeyman Plumbing Examination offered in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Works and Urban Renewal.
  • Successful participants undergo an oral and practicum field exercise approved by the Ministry of Public Works and Urban Renewal.
  • Course topics include:
    • interpretation of codes,
    • disposal and drainage systems,
    • storm drainage disposal systems,
    • installation of sanitary fixtures,
    • basic drawings to scale,
    • water supply and distribution,
    • use of materials and tools,
    • repairs and maintenance.
  • Eligibility criteria:
    • minimum of 2 years’ work experience as a plumber’s apprentice, and
    • high school level reading ability.

Master Plumbing Contractor's License (Professional Level Certification)

  • Offered during the spring (January) semester for 14 weeks.
  • Designed for licenced Journeyman Plumbers wishing to become Master Plumbing Contractors.
  • Prepares participants for the Master Plumbing Examination.
  • Successful participants undergo an oral and practicum field exercise approved by the Ministry of Public Works and Urban Renewal.
  • Course topics include:
    • interpretation of codes,
    • disposal and drainage systems,
    • storm drainage disposal systems,
    • installation of sanitary fixtures,
    • water supply and distribution repairs and maintenance,
    • plant management and foreman responsibilities,
    • ethics in the workplace.
  • Eligibility criteria:
    • valid Journeyman Plumber’s Licence,
    • minimum of 2 years’ work experience since attaining the license,
    • current certification in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

Single-Phase Electrical License (Associate Level Certification)

  • Offered during the fall (August) semester.
  • Designed for electrician apprentices wishing to obtain the first level/associate electrician’s licence.
  • Prepares participants for the Single-Phase Licence Certification Examination where all calculations and evaluations are based on single-phase two-wire and single-phase three-wire connections.
  • Course topics include:
    • single-phase theory,
    • circuit analysis,
    • instrumentation, motors, transformers, motor control,
    • voltage drop calculations and percentages,
    • electrical load calculations, electrical wiring methods,
    • material list estimations and wiring layout,
    • main service calculations for dwelling houses,
    • Canadian Electrical Code, Part I.
  • Successful participants undergo an oral and practicum field exercise approved by the Ministry of Public Works and Urban Renewal.
  • Eligibility criteria:
    • minimum of 3 years’ work experience as an electrician apprentice, and
    • high school diploma or equivalent.

Three-Phase Electrical License (Professional Level Certification)

  • Offered during the spring (January) semester for 14 weeks.
  • Designed for Single-Phase Electricians wishing to become an Electrical Contractor.
  • Prepares participants for the Three-Phase Licence Certification Examination where all calculations and evaluations are based on three-phase three-wire and three-phase four-wire connections.
  • Course topics include:
    • three-phase theory,
    • circuit analysis, instrumentation, motors, transformers, motor control,
    • voltage drop calculations and percentages,
    • electrical load calculations, electrical wiring methods,
    • material list estimations and wiring layout,
    • main service calculations for industrial complexes,
    • Canadian Electrical Code, Part I,
    • ethics in the workplace.
  • Successful participants undergo an oral and practicum field exercise approved by the Ministry of Public Works and Urban Renewal.
  • Eligibility criteria:
    • valid Single-Phase Electrician’s Licence;
    • 2 years’ work experience since attaining the license;
    • current certification in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
  • Non-credit courses designed for entry level career positions.
  • Three levels of courses.
  • Offered during the fall and spring semesters for 8-12 weeks.
  • Successful completion allows participants to improve existing skills or discover new areas of interest.

Level 1 Courses

  • Accounting for Beginners
  • Computer Fundamentals
  • Effective Writing Skills
  • Ethics in the Workplace
  • Records Management

Eligibility criteria: high school level reading skills.

Level 2 Courses

  • Accounting Procedures & Analysis
  • Business Communication
  • Credit & Collections
  • Ethics and Professional Responsibility
  • Medical Billing & Coding
  • Medical Terminology
  • QuickBooks

Eligibility criteria:

  • high school diploma,
  • minimum of five BJCs with grade ‘C’ or above.

Level 3 Courses

  • Advanced Management
    • Company Law
    • Employment Law
    • Legal Environment
    • Legal Research & Writing
    • Leadership for Women in Politics
    • Small Business Development

Eligibility criteria: Applicants are interviewed and assessed on a case-by-case basis.

  • In addition to the requirements for each certification and licensure programme and selected courses, students must take CFUN900, Computer Fundamentals Workshop.
  • Students wishing to be exempted from CFUN900 must provide proof of basic computer and Internet skills in the form of a certificate from an authorised provider or by challenging the CFUN900 examination.

Intervention for Literacy and Numeracy Skills Development

Literacy and Numeracy Development Programs are at the heart of The University’s personal development initiatives. The dilemma of high school dropouts and treatment facilities for learning deficiencies are inevitable in every nation.  Through the Centre for Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning, help is available.  With the application of best practices, individual and group interventions are administered by a team of subject experts that deliver proven results. Such services are available on a contractual basis.

Dr. Lorraine Bastian-Jones, Director

Continuing Education & Lifelong Learning
University of The Bahamas
Building 21, Oakes Field Campus
P.O. Box N-4912, Nassau, The Bahamas
Phone: 1 (242) 325-5714 or 1 (242) 328-0093

For Information Contact:  Jenny Bethell and Rosemary Knowles
Email: jenny.bethell@ub.edu.bs  and rosemary.knowles@ub.edu.bs

Laterah Munnings
Director
University of The Bahamas
Continuing Education & Lifelong Learning
Grand Bahama Highway, University of The Bahamas-North
P.O. Box F-42766, East Grand Bahama, The Bahamas
Phone: (242) 688-5909/5906
E-mail: leterah.munnings@ub.edu.bs