More than 480 students have received certificates of excellence or proficiency in language usage through a new program offered by the Information Systems Department to help students become better communicators.
The program, Competent Language Usage Essentials (C.L.U.E.), helps students enrolled in Business Communication (IS 301) achieve competency in language usage essentials by incorporating effective business communication requirements for correctness, conciseness, coherence, and clarity.
"Since today's employers rate communication skills at the top of their criteria for new hires, the C.L.U.E. program is pertinent to all business disciplines and the skills learned can be extremely helpful to students in both their current classes and future careers," Information Systems Department Chair Robert Chi said.
Students need to earn a grade of 92 percent or better on the program's tests to receive a Certificate of Excellence. They need to score 80 to 91 percent for a Certificate of Proficiency.
"Since introducing the Certificate Program this semester, the number of students earning a C.L.U.E. test score of 80 percent or higher has risen by 12 percentage points over the previous semester," said Debbie McElroy course coordinator for IS 301. "The students seem to appreciate receiving the certificate and being able to add the award mention to their résumés."
