Here are brief explanations of some of the terms that you will find in these pages and in the database - plus a few others that you might come across.
The contents are in alphabetical order - scroll up and down to find the term in which you are interested.

ACCREDITATION

This term means different things in different parts of the world. Most Universities and degree awarding establishments are accredited or licensed by a Government or Government agency to offer degree programs and award degrees. In some places Universities accredit other institutions to deliver parts or all of their programs (see also Validation). In many parts of the world independent accrediting organizations have been set up. They also accredit establishments and /or their programs. This is common for Business Schools and MBA Programs, but not for non -qualification management courses. In general independent accreditation implies 'approval' and in some parts of the world such a process has become the norm, but it is mainly for programs not Schools - and so is of particular relevance to MBA programs. However some organizations accredit Schools, and thus all of their programs. For example - in Europe the EQUIS scheme operated by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) accredits Schools. This may therefore be of interest to those looking for a non-qualification management course. It's a mark of the overall quality of the School. Accreditation of this type is not shown in the database.

There is another sense in which the term might be used - the database does show where a course is 'accredited' as contributing towards a qualification. In these cases completion of a course - often accompanied by some form of assessment - can carry credits or points that count towards a qualification - e.g. a Certificate, Diploma - or even an MBA - usually awarded by the same institution. Note that this is different to the provision of Course Certificates/Diplomas - in effect Certificates of attendance or completion, which are specific to that course. The site does not differentiate, so you might need to check this out if it is important to you.

AMERICAN MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

One of the largest management membership associations, the AMA provides services for individual and corporate members world-wide through four regional centres.

The AMA's Management Centre Europe ( MCE) in Brussels, Belgium provides classroom seminars, international conferences, customised company courses and on line education, for managers in all functions and at all levels.

Go to MCE Site

ASSOCIATIONS and INSTITUTIONS

There are membership Associations and Institutions for managers in many countries. Members get benefits such as publications, events etc. Most offer courses and conferences. Some - mostly the Institutions- give membership qualifications for managers to attach to their names. Most require individuals to have certain qualifications (e.g. MBA) and/or sufficient professional experience for membership. Some provide a form of membership to those currently studying Management

(See also American Management Association)

There are also Associations that represent Business Schools and other providers of executive management education. In many cases they have strict membership requirements - thus if a School/Institution is a member it is a form of recognition/approval. One of the major Associations is UNICON.

(See also UNICON - The International University Consortium for Executive Education)

BUSINESS SCHOOL

Business Schools focus on providing business and management education and undertaking related research work. Graduate Schools tend to work only at post graduate level (eg providing post graduate degree programs such as the MBA - Master of Business Administration) and to work with experienced managers. Most Business Schools are part of a University, e.g they are a Department or Faculty of a University, but some are independent. Some establishements prefer to call themselves Management Colleges or Management Schools. Business Schools are one of the main groups of providers of executive level management courses - often alongside degree programs. In general - more Business Schools will provide MBA programs etc than provide executive management courses. Only the larger Schools, will have the resources to do both things on a significant scale. Some larger Schools have organised themselves in two parts - which might even exist at two quite separate places - a Graduate Busisess School and Executive Development Centre

COMPANY COURSE

Also called 'Custom' or 'Tailored' courses - some management courses are run for a single company - for employees of that company. In other words they are not open or public courses. Sometimes - when a Business School runs them - they may resemble one of its open/public courses - but probably with some tailoring of content or structure to suit the company's requirements. Often they will be run by the company with support or contributions by a School or University. The Schools which provide such courses are identified in the database - select '(Custom Courses)' as Principal Subject Area on Database Search Form.

Likewise - some courses are 'customized' or 'tailored' and run for Consortia or groups of companies.

COMPETENCES

Using questionnaires etc it is possible to map an individual's managerial competences and then compare them against the competences considered to be required for a particular type of job or a particular level. This competence-based approach is used in some courses, and some are defined in terms of the competences they are designed to provide or enhance.

COMPUTER BASED COURSE

See Electronic Course

CONCENTRATION

See Focus

CONSORTIUM COURSE

See Company Course

CORE

Meaning the central curriculum of a course, it is the compulsory course content - to which in addition participants will usually also have a choice from amongst certain electives (see also Electives) or options

CORPORATE COURSE

See Company Course

CORPORATE UNIVERSITY (or ACADEMY)

Some, normally large, organizations have set up / are setting up their own 'Corporate University' to be a focus for the provision of education, training and development for employees. These initiatives can take on many different forms. At one level it may simply be a 're-branding' of the organization's existing education and training activites. At another level it might be a new initiative intended to give more prominence within an organization to an extended range of education/training and development activites for staff. Frequently such activities are run in conjuncion with one or more academic establishments - eg Universities or Businsess Schools - which provide resources (eg faculty and premises), accredit programs/courses, and make available academic awards. Some of these developments are described as 'Academies' - which in general implies a narrower coverage - eg there are corporate Marketing Academies - providing courses etc specifically in marketing. There are also Management Academies. In some cases these initiatives are not associated with the use of significant physical facilites within the organization - and in such cases the use of the term ' virtual' is common - eg virtual Business Schools

CUSTOM COURSE

See Company Course

DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE

The term was originally associated with correspondence type courses for which course materials would be sent to a user who was remote from the Provider, for them to study individually and perhaps submit work for assessment and/or occasionally to sit examinations. Thus individuals would study mainly alone, perhaps with occasional sessions with others - eg at 'summer schools'. Recently providers began to find ways of overcoming the disadvantages of distance and remoteness for individuals. Materials are now delivered in various forms - not just print, local support facilities have been established, study groups of individuals in a particular area are often established and supported, etc. Various forms of computer conferencing also exist - to give participants more direct access to faculty and to one another. Also video conferencing and the Internet is used to provide the means for the electronic delivery of information and materials, more support and interaction - in effect providing - for the more sophisticated courses 'virtual' classroom situations.

Thus Distance Learning now means a range of things. Some DL courses still resemble the traditional approach - whilst others have become more like electronically supported part time courses. In all cases however the basic characteristics remain - i.e. such courses are intended for individuals who are unable or who do not wish regularly to attend 'classes' and/or who wish to study at their own pace.

(see also Electronic Course)

EFMD (The European Foundation For Management Development)

Based in Brussels the EFMD is a body representing Business Schools, Management Colleges and the management training and development interests of Organisations. Business School and Companies are eligible to be members of EFMD - the former having to satisfy certain criteria and to be accepted into membership by the other Schools. The latter are often the Corporate clients of the Business Schools - so the EFMD is unusual in representing both the supply and the market sides of the management education business

The EFMD represents Schools and not just qualification programs

Go to EFMD Site

In response to what it saw to be a need for a European Accreditation system for Schools (not just MBAs) the EFMD in a 1997 set up EQUIS (The European Quality Improvement System). The number of Schools seeking and being accredited under this scheme is increasing - but it is still relatively new. The interests of the EFMD and this coverage of EQUIS is also beginning to extend beyond Europe.

(see also EQUIS)

ELECTIVE

Some management courses offer a choice of electives or course options to participants. The aim is to extend the Core curriculum to enable individuals to pursue their particular interests - i.e. to some extent to tailor the course to their particular needs. Given that all good courses will aim to cover a core curriculum in adequate depth - it is possible that the longer courses will have the greater choice of electives.

ELECTRONIC COURSE

This normally refers to the means of delivery of the course - not the curriculum

The implication is that Information technology plays a significant part in the delivery of the course. So called Electronic courses are often developments of Distance Learning courses.(See also Distance Learning Course) In them Information technology is used for the delivery of course materials, to facilitate contact between students and between them and faculty, to provide access to additional information, for computer conferencing etc. At the simplest level E-mail is used for student/student and student/faculty contact, and materials are delivered as electronic files through E-mail. More sophisticated use will provide for computer and video conferencing, access to multimedia materials, interactive case studies etc.

The use of these procedures is not confined to Distance Learning programs. Such facilities are increasingly used to support part time and modular courses and to enhance full time courses.

EQUIS (The European Quality Improvement System)

This is the Business School accreditation system introduced in 1997 and operated by the European Foundation for Management Development. Notice that it is an accreditation procedure for Schools - not individual programs

(see also EFMD)

FACULTY

The academic staff of a Business School or University are its faculty. There will be a group of full time faculty plus part time or visiting staff. Full time faculty who are permanent staff - may be described as tenured. Some senior and or particularly distinguished faculty will be Professors. The nature of professorial titles differs around the world. The American model has full professors and also Assistant as well as Associate Professors. Elsewhere - excepting where the American model has been adopted - there are usually only full professors - who have achieved significant status in their areas of work mainly through their research. Some visiting faculty may also have the professorial title - either because they have it in their own institution or because the institution at which they are a visitor has awarded it to them.

FOCUS (Or CONCENTRATION)

Some courses are 'General Management' oriented i.e. they cover a wide range of management topics or functions. They are intended to provide education and development for those who will be working in general or strategic management or moving between specific functions. Many courses however are aimed at particular management functions or particular sectors of business. The former will include Marketing, Finance or Information management etc. The latter may include courses for the Service sector - or particular areas within that - e.g. travel and tourism.

FRANCHISE

Some Business Schools or Universities allow their courses - under certain conditions, to be run by other Institutions. Thus the Institution whose course it is - allows it to be delivered on their behalf by another body - usually as a means to allow that course to enter a different market, or one that the parent institution would not easily be able to access themselves. Various terms are used to describe this practice - e.g. validation. (see also Validation). Through such arrangements - often falling well short of full franchises - local institutions are able to offer courses that they would not have been able to provide by themselves. In doing so - they may use entirely their own staff or some from the parent organisation - or in some case the entire course will be run by the staff of the parent organisation - with the local organization only providing facilities etc.

(See also Validation)

FULL TIME PROGRAM

Many courses require full time participation. They will normally require attendance at a designated place -normally the Provider's establishment - throughout every day. Participation in such courses will not allow time for an individual also to do other things. They are usually very intense. A full time course will provide considerable benefits to individuals through their work alongside others from different backgrounds. Providers will be concerned if there is the possibility that individuals will be unable fully to participate in the community throughout their full time course, both in and out of the formal sessions.

GLOBAL COURSE

See International Course

INTERCOMPANY COURSE

See Company Course

INTERNATIONAL COURSE

The term is used to refer to a range of things. It might describe the orientation of the course- i.e. a course emphasizing International business - with a curriculum related to that. It might refer to the participants on the course -i.e. one intended to be followed by a wide range of participants from different parts of the world. It might describe a course that runs - i.e. is available locally - in many parts of the world -e.g. using Distance learning methods or local organisations supporting a validated/franchised course. Finally the term is often used to describe a course which involves participants studying, undertaking projects or assignments, or being on placements in other parts of the world. For the latter such courses are often offered by two or more Schools based in different countries working together to run a joint international activity.

INTERNET COURSE

See Electronic Course

LOCATION

In the database the term is used to describe where a course is run. It applies only therefore to 'attendance' courses. The location is often the home base for the Provider -but not always as some Providers have put in place arrangements to be able to run their courses in other locations - e.g. by working in partnership with other bodies - or be setting up remote campuses.

MODULAR COURSES

This normally refers to the structure of the course. Modular and Part Time courses can be very similar. Whereas Part Time courses usually require attendance at the Institution or some other designated location on a regular and frequent basis for short periods of time-often just one day, Modular courses normally require less frequent but longer periods of attendance - ranging from a few days to a few weeks.

OPEN COURSE

This sometimes means the same as 'Distance Course' i.e. meaning that because of the way in which the course is delivered - it is more accessible by people -i.e. more open to them. More often however it refers to the entry requirements - i.e. a course which does not have academic entry requirements. It is sometimes used to describe Public Courses - i.e. those open to all - not just those from a particular organisation.

PART TIME COURSE

This typically describes a course which requires regular, frequent - but short periods of attendance at a designated place. It will usually differ from a Modular course because of the number and duration of attendances required.

(see also Modular Course)

PSYCHOMETRICS

Psychometric tests are often used on or in advance of management courses. They comprise pencil and paper - or computer delivered tests aimed at assessing personality, or certain managerial qualities - e.g. leadership ability, interpersonal skills etc. Used in advance of a course they are normally intended to enable individuals better to understand their capabilities and abilities - and thus to determine what to seek from the course. Used on courses they are also a means to get information on individuals in order to form syndicates, teams etc.

RANKINGS

The ranking of management courses - especially MBA programs and of Business Schools is common in some countries - e.g. the USA. Such rankings generally appear in the Business press or the business pages of national newspapers. Ostensibly the objective is to inform the market about the standing and repute of courses and Schools. Unfortunately the criteria for the rankings differ so much and frequently are not declared so such rankings can be rather misleading. Most rankings are of Schools and their MBA programs - but occasionally executive courses specifically are ranked or are one measure of an overall ranking of Schools.

STRUCTURE

We use the term here to describe the basic type of course - and we categorize programs as Full time, Part Time, Modular and Distance. The latter is perhaps the most varied category. (see these terms elsewhere in this glossary).

SIMULATONS

Courses often make use of simulations of businesses or business situations. They might be computer based or manual - but in all cases will be designed and used to allow something approaching hands-on experience of particular situations for participants. Sometimes the simulations are used to support game-playing activities - e.g. running a company for a period of time - in which groups of course participants compete to produce the best performance.

SYNDICATES

Some courses operate on the 'syndicate' method - i.e. groups of participants are put together in 'syndicate' groups to work through the course or some part of it together. This will more often occur on longer courses and is often coupled with some of group working study or the use of methods to create effective working groups or teams.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

This is one of the best known test of the use of English as a foreign language - i.e. a test of English language ability for those whose first language is not English. Providers will often require such a test for those seeking entry to an English language course from a country where English is not the mother tongue -and especially in such situations where interviews cannot be conducted.

Other test include the Test of Written English and the Test of Spoken English

TAILORED COURSE

See Company Course

UNICON - The International University Consortium for Executive Education

UNICON is an organization of leading Business School world-wide with a serious commitment to management and executive education and development. Over 70 leading Schools from more than 12 countries are members.

Go to UNICON Site

VALIDATION

The term is used to mean different things -but mostly it means that a course has been 'approved' by another organization as leading to the award of one of its qualifications. A validated course run by an organization will thus lead to the award of an MBA from another institution. This tends only to be necessary when the organization running the course is not able to award its own degrees -or when the validating organization has higher status. A validated degree may be distinctive to the organization which is providing it - i.e. that organization will have submitted its own course to another institution validated as being of adequate standing etc. Alternatively it may be much the same as the course offered by the validating institute - but run locally on their behalf -perhaps with some local tailoring by the local organization to suit local circumstances. Whichever the case a validated course run by an organization will lead to a degree of another organization.

VIDEO CONFERENCE PROGRAM

See Electronic Course