Financial Planning and Forecasting for Education Enterprises - April 2027
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Register
- Non-member - $599
- Member - $499
Course Description
Financial stewardship is essential to the long-term success of online and professional education enterprises. This course provides practical approaches to budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and resource management that support informed decision-making and sustainable organizational growth.
Participants will explore the financial models commonly used within online and professional education, examining revenue generation, expense management, forecasting techniques, business planning, and partnership evaluation. Through applied exercises and real-world scenarios, learners will develop the skills needed to assess opportunities, allocate resources strategically, and make data-informed financial decisions.
Designed for professionals who manage budgets, develop programs, or contribute to organizational planning, this course builds the financial fluency needed to support operational success and prepare for enterprise leadership responsibilities.
Two Ways to Participate
This course is part of the core curriculum for the Enterprise Leadership Certificate and may also be taken independently as a Professional Practice course. Participants who enroll individually may be able to apply the course toward future certificate requirements.
What You Will Explore
Budgeting and Forecasting
Develop practical budgets, financial projections, and forecasting models that support planning and organizational decision-making.
Financial Models and Trade-Offs
Examine revenue models, cost structures, opportunity costs, financial risks, and the trade-offs that shape enterprise decisions.
Investment and Growth Decisions
Evaluate programs, partnerships, and organizational investments for financial viability, strategic value, and long-term sustainability.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Develop budgets and financial forecasts that support effective planning and resource management for online and professional education initiatives.
- Evaluate financial opportunities, risks, and trade-offs using budgeting, forecasting, and business planning tools.
- Apply financial concepts—including revenue models, cost structures, and opportunity costs—to support strategic decision-making.
- Assess the financial viability and strategic value of new programs, partnerships, and organizational investments.
- Use financial data to communicate recommendations and support sustainable growth within online and professional education enterprises.
Course Structure and Expectations
This instructor-supported course is delivered over four weeks. Each week combines asynchronous coursework with a one-hour live Zoom session that provides opportunities for faculty guidance, peer discussion, financial analysis, and application of course concepts.
Asynchronous Coursework
Complete readings, financial exercises, case studies, discussions, and applied activities within each weekly module.
Weekly Live Session
Participate in a one-hour Zoom session each week to discuss financial concepts, examine scenarios, ask questions, and learn from peers.
Applied Financial Analysis
Use budgeting, forecasting, and business-planning tools to evaluate realistic opportunities and decisions relevant to education enterprises.
Who Should Enroll?
This course is designed for professionals who want to strengthen their financial decision-making skills within online, professional, and continuing education.
Program and Operations Leaders
Strengthen your ability to manage budgets, allocate resources, and evaluate the financial performance of programs and services.
Professionals Developing New Initiatives
Learn to assess the financial viability, risk, and strategic value of new programs, partnerships, credentials, and investments.
Current and Aspiring Enterprise Leaders
Build the financial fluency needed to communicate with senior leaders, support strategic planning, and guide sustainable organizational growth.
Michael Jones
Director of Academic Program Development and Support
University of Connecticut
Michael Jones is the Director of Academic Program Development and Support at the University of Connecticut. In this role, he leads a team focused on launching and supporting innovative, revenue-generating academic programs. His portfolio includes program design, market analysis, enrollment strategy, and long-term financial planning. Michael also oversees UConn’s Summer Programs and the Office of Professional and Continuing Education, further expanding access and opportunity for diverse learner populations. Previously, Michael served for eight years as the Finance and Strategic Operations Lead at UConn’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), where he managed financial, HR, and strategic operations. He worked closely with the Associate Vice Provost to enhance the performance and impact of all CETL units.
With 15 years of experience in higher education, including nine at UConn, Michael has also held leadership roles at the University of Maryland, College Park. Before transitioning into higher education, he spent a decade in the private sector at AT&T, where he developed a strong foundation in business operations that continues to inform his work in higher education. He holds an MBA from the University of Maryland Global Campus and is an EdD Candidate at Northeastern University.
See what past participants have to say about this course:
"This is a great course to refresh or review budgeting and forecasting fundamentals in a supportive and encouraging environment. If you have struggled to find a financial management course that is tailored to the particularities of continuing and professional education, this is the course for you! - Suzanne Dove, Bentley University
"Overall, this course was exceptionally run and the material was relevant to the struggles we're facing right now. I speak for my colleagues in saying that we enjoyed this course so much, we are sending 3 additional people to the course."
"I enjoyed sharing with others during the live sessions. It was refreshing to know that we aren't the only institution dealing with budgeting issues. The assignments and readings inspired me to take action on some budgeting items and forecasts that I should have been doing anyway."
"I greatly appreciate all the resources you provided in our course: the readings, lectures, and discussion prompts were excellent."
"The examples of budgets and program planning were so beneficial to me. The readings for course budgeting were insightful and helpful too!"
"I have been asking for this the contents of this very course for 5 years and couldn't find anything remotely relevant. Thank you for this! His book is now my bible."
"I will be sending my program leads to this class next time around."
"I thought the content was very good. I learned some new things and validated my thinking on others."
"A wealth of knowledge. The book is a great tool to keep. Resources provided were top notch. Answered all questions."
