Professional Development Program

Develop high-level professional skills

Our highly connected global economy has created an internationally competitive workplace. Professional development and advanced understanding in business theory and practice is more important than ever.

This TALK Professional Development Program offers students an opportunity to gain a competitive advantage by offering insights and understanding into the global economy and business world.

The courses in business, humanities and social sciences teach the theory and practice of each subject, and include analytical tools used by business managers to make important real-life decisions. Students will have the opportunity to develop their business skills and advance their English proficiency.

Benefits:

  • Develop new skills and an understanding of the global economy and the business world.
  • Potential for increased career opportunities when returning to your home country.
  • Graduating students are awarded designations and qualifications for successfully completing courses.
  • Development of international alumni contacts.
  • Although not an exam preparation course, the curriculum follows specific guidelines, providing students an opportunity to gain college credits by examination in the US and worldwide.

Requirements

  • International Students: BC16: Non-F1 students (B1/B2, ESTA or similar) BC18: Students on Student Visa (F-1 or similar)
  • Minimum age of 18 years
  • High-school completion
  • English proficiency of TALK Level 5 or higher
  • Minimum enrollment of 1 full course (7 or 8 weeks)

College Credit Through Examination

Standardized testing provides students an opportunity to earn college credits by taking and passing an exam. The program applies to specific subjects and the exam covers a defined, comprehensive curriculum acceptable to most colleges. Scheduled testing is administered at thousands of sites across the United States and the credits earned are accepted at thousands of colleges in the United States and around
the world.

The Clep Exam

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a group of standardized tests that are created and administered by College Board; an American not-for profit  organization created to expand access to higher education. Examination cost is currently (7/23) USD $93, but subject to change. The exams are administered at more than 1,000 sites across the United States. There are about 2,900 colleges which grant CLEP credit. 

The DSST Exam

The DSST Program (DSST) were designed for service members of the US Department of Defense. Now it is open to all students. The program is administered by Prometric, an American education and testing company. Examination cost is currently (7/23) USD $85, but subject to change. The exams are administered at more than 1,000 sites across the United States. There are about 1,500 colleges which grant DSST credit. 

Courses

Courses are taught at a first-year US college level and cover the fundamental principles, practice, and theory of the subject.

Course curricula follow nationally, and internationally accepted guidelines as determined by the College Board or the American Council on Education. The designated textbook follows the curriculum and is required for studies. Online resources are used when appropriate, to enrich the learning experience.

Courses are coded as BC16 (16-hours/week) and BC18 (18-hours/week), and are offered in sequence, as follows:

The goal is for students to develop a general knowledge of literature, art, music, and the performing arts. The course covers periods from classical to contemporary in the fields of poetry, prose, philosophy, art, architecture, music, dance, theater, and film. Students will develop a framework to comprehend, analyze and interpret various works of art.

The goal is for students to develop an understanding of how free markets work to allocate resources efficiently, how individual consumers make economic decisions to maximize utility, how individual firms make decisions to maximize profits, how to identify the characteristics of the different market structures, and how to analyze the behavior of firms in terms of price and output.

The goal is for students to develop an understanding of the history and sources of American law and the legal system and its application to businesses and commerce. Emphasis is placed on the functions of contracts in American business law, specifically as applied to torts, agency, employment, and sales.

(for Students ineligible for the Summer Break): The goal is for students to understand concepts including the role of marketing in society and within a firm, consumer and organizational markets, marketing strategy planning, the marketing mix, marketing institutions, and other selected topics, such as international marketing, ethics, marketing research, services, and not-for-profit marketing.

The goal is for students to develop a knowledge and understanding of the basic principles and concepts of science, the comprehension of scientific information, and the understanding of issues of science in contemporary society. Students will learn the qualitative and quantitative application of scientific principles.

The goal is for the student to develop an understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economy, particularly the general price level, output and income, and the interrelations among sectors of the economy, aggregate supply, monetary and fiscal policy tools that can be used to achieve specific policy objectives, and concepts such as gross domestic product, and consumption.

Course dates
(Subject to change)

2024 Courses & Dates *
Humanities Jan 02 to Feb 22
Principles of MicroeconomicsFeb 26 to Apr 18
Introductory Business LawApr 22 to Jun 06
Marketing **Jun 10 to Jul 25
Natural SciencesSep 03 to Oct 24
Principles of MacroeconomicsOct 28 to Dec 19
2025 Courses & Dates *
Business Ethics & SocietyJan 06 to Feb 20
Introductory SociologyFeb 24 to Apr 17
Money & BankingApr 22 to Jun 05
Principles of Public Speaking **Jun 09 to Jul 24
Introduction to BusinessSep 02 to Oct 23
American GovernmentOct 27 to Dec 18
2026 Courses & Dates *
Organizational BehaviorJan 05 to Feb 19
Introduction to PsychologyFeb 23 to Apr 16
Principles of FinanceApr 21 to Jun 05
Western Civilization II (1648 to Present) **Jun 08 to Jul 23
MarketingAug 31 to Oct 22
ManagementOct 26 to Dec 17

* Subject to change and may not be offered at all schools
** Summer Break. Some students may not need to take the course

Weekly course schedule

  • 16 Lessons per week – No student visa required
  • 18 Lessons per week – Complies with F1 Student Visa requirements
  • 4-day per week schedule
Mondays to ThursdayMorningsEvenings *
Class (Tue only)15:30 – 17:20 **
Break (Tue only)17:20 – 17:50
Class9:00 – 10:5017:50 – 19:40
Break10:50 – 11:2019:40 – 20:10
Class11:20 – 13:1020:10 – 22:00
Break (Mon only)13:10 – 13:40
Class (Mon only)13:40 – 15:30 **

* Evening schedule not available at all schools
** BC16 does not include this session

Program Details & Designations

  • Program duration is a minimum of 1 course (7 or 8 weeks) and a maximum of 15 courses (3 years).
  • 6 courses are taught per year including 1 course taught during the summer break.
  • A minimum of 3 business courses and a minimum of 2 in the humanities, social sciences or arts are offered each year.
No. Courses PassedDesignation
5Certificate in Business Administration
10Diploma in Business Administration
15Higher Diploma in Business Administration

Summer Break Elegibility

  • Students are elegible to take a summer break provided they comply with study duration requirements and return to studies after the break.
  • Summer break period depends on the student’s program start date, as follows:
Student Start DateSummer Break No. of WeeksSummer Break Dates
In 2024 - summer course required5 WeeksJul 28 - Aug 31

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Accreditations & Associations

TALK Schools are accredited by the United States Department of Homeland Security and ACCET and are member of TESOL, NAFSA, IELTS and ATD.

TALK Schools is a part of the TALK Education Group, together with UnistudyUSA, TALK IELTS Center, TALK Kids, Real World Translations and Brentwood.