Four new undergraduate certificate programs have been established in Southern Polytechnic State University's Industrial Engineering Technology (IET) department. The certificates are Production Design, Quality Principles, Engineering Sales and Logistics.

The programs, which began this summer, will be offered on-campus, through distance learning, and on the Internet. "These programs were designed to provide some of the key elements of an IET education in a shorter time than a traditional degree," said Dr. Patricia Carden, program head of SPSU's IET program. "A student can master many IET concepts in as little as two to three semesters."

Carden believes that the programs' major audience will be via distance learning. SPSU's IET department currently offers courses to five distant sites - Gainesville, Albany, Augusta, Gwinnett and the Savannah River site. Another site at Middle Georgia College is being planned for fall semester.

According to Carden, the courses are also ideal for industry use.

"Many companies want their employees to receive supplemental training to become more effective. These programs are ideal for those workers who want to enhance their current knowledge without actually returning to school full-time," said Carden.

Southern Polytechnic State University, Georgia's Technology University, is a member unit of the University System of Georgia and offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in the sciences, technologies and engineering, addressing the professional workforce needs of many of the nation's fastest growing fields.