Program Overview

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Undergraduate Certificate in Sales Excellence

The Undergraduate Certificate in Sales Excellence is a program designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in sales and related fields. The certificate is open to all majors and can be completed by earning 15-18 credit hours.

Details

• College: College of Business
• Hours Required: 15-18 credit hours
• Certificates Available:
  • Certificate in Sales Excellence
  • Advanced Certificate in Sales Excellence

The Nebraska Difference

The program has been named a "Top University for Professional Sales Education" every year since its inception. It features hands-on experiences, including state-of-the-art role-play rooms, and boasts a 95% full-time job offer rate upon graduation for certificate earners.

Program Features

Sales Skills are Valuable in Any Field

Sales skills are crucial to every industry, and learning how to build relationships, communicate, and persuade effectively will help students advance more quickly. The program focuses on building seven soft skills that employers look for, including:

• Acting as a team player
• Flexibility
• Effective communication
• Problem-solving and resourcefulness
• Accepting feedback
• Confidence
• Creative thinking

Gain Experience Through Hands-On Learning

Students learn sales by doing the work of sales professionals, with support from classmates and professors. This includes in-class activities, role-play labs, and selling real event sponsorships.

Connect With Employers

As a sales center student, participants connect with companies recruiting talent, providing opportunities for internships and full-time careers. Corporate partners contribute to professional development by attending events, participating in course projects, mentoring, and speaking in the classroom.

Courses

To earn the Certificate in Sales Excellence, students must complete 15 credit hours of required coursework. An Advanced Certificate in Sales Excellence is available for students who complete an additional 3 credit hours of relevant coursework.

Required Coursework

• Sales Communication (MRKT 257): Introduction to the fundamentals of sales communication, including verbal, listening, and written skills.
• Advanced Professional Selling (MRKT 357): Builds on the concepts in MRKT 257, covering advanced professional selling theory and practice.
• Sales Practicum I (MRKT 371): Helps students develop their personal brand, learning about business etiquette, networking, negotiations, and career strategy.
• Customer Relationship Management and Sales Technologies (MRKT 457): Focuses on customer relationship management (CRM) and sales force technology.
• Sales Force Management (MRKT 458): Covers tasks that a sales manager needs to perform in building, directing, and leading a sales force.

Optional Coursework

• Sales Practicum II (MRKT 372): An optional practicum for students who want to pursue a sales-related internship.

Additional Coursework for Advanced Certificate in Sales Excellence

• Key Account Selling (MRKT 460): Teaches how to segment key accounts, identify high-margin business opportunities, sell to complex enterprises, and manage a Key Account team.

Outside the Classroom

Students can get the most out of their collegiate experience by taking advantage of opportunities to get involved, challenge themselves, and make meaningful connections.

Role-Play Lab

The program features seven state-of-the-art role-play labs equipped with one-touch recording technology to help with class assignments and reviewing work.

Competitions

Students can earn the opportunity to represent Nebraska at national and international sales competitions.

Networking Events

Participants can connect with corporate partners in networking events held on and off campus.

Scholarship Opportunities

Thanks to generous donors, students in the undergraduate Certificate of Sales Excellence program can benefit from multiple scholarships.

Faculty

The program is led by experienced faculty members, including:

• Chad Mardesen, Interim Director of the Center for Sales Excellence and Associate Professor of Practice in Marketing
• Robin Garewal, Assistant Professor of Practice in Marketing
• Laura McLeod, Assistant Professor of Practice in Marketing
• Blake Runnalls, Assistant Professor in Marketing
• Ravi Sohi, Professor in Marketing