UCF to offer new programs, certificates for jobs to handle COVID-19 repercussions

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The University of Central Florida has created new programs and certificates for fields that will deal with the repercussions from COVID-19.

“As is true in most recessions, it’s a good time for people to reinvent themselves,” said Paul Jarley, dean of the UCF College of Business.

In all, UCF will add 11 new graduate certificates and tracks in response to COVID-19.

In addition to jobs in the medical field, the school will offer new tracks for cybersecurity training as new threats have emerged with more people shopping and working from home.

Read: Florida schools to reopen in August: What that will look like in Central Florida districts

A new financial certificate that will teach students how to deliver financial services online, instead of in person, will also be an option.

Certificates will also be offered for data analytics and data modeling. There will also be specific conflict resolution training for social workers and law enforcement officials.

Read: Florida reports more than 7,300 new COVID-19 cases, 64 deaths since yesterday

The university says even now it continues to see companies desperate to hire graduates in medical, cybersecurity and engineering.

Other careers, like data analytics, are easily transferable to the tourism industry when the crisis is over.

UCF classes will adhere to social distancing guidelines when school resumes.

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