Undergraduate Certificates in Sales Excellence

Students in classroom listening to faculty member

Learn how to sell yourself to anyone, pitch your ideas and influence others. The sales certificates' coursework enables you to be more productive and influential, no matter what career path you choose. You will hone the skills employers seek, such as the ability to communicate effectively, solve problems, make decisions and influence others. The certificate in sales excellence on your résumé indicates you’re a strong candidate for jobs and helps you sell yourself when applying for jobs or starting a business as an entrepreneur.

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 2014-15

Features hands-on experiences including our state-of-the-art role-play rooms

95% of certificate earners have full-time job offers upon graduation

Students sit at roundtable for discussion

Program Features

Sales Skills are Valuable in Any Field

Open to all majors, sales skills are crucial to every industry. Learning how to build relationships, communicate and persuade effectively will help you advance more quickly. You'll build seven soft skills employers look for acting as a team player, flexibility, effective communication, problem-solving and resourcefulness, accepting feedback, confidence and creative thinking.

Gain Experience Through Hands-On Learning

Roll up your sleeves and learn sales by doing the work of sales professionals while having the support of your classmates and professor. Learn through in-class activities, role-play labs and selling real event sponsorships.

Connect With Employers

As a sales center student, you will connect with companies that are recruiting talent and provide a variety of opportunities for internships and full-time careers. Our corporate partners also contribute to your professional development by attending events, participating in course projects, mentoring and regularly speaking in the classroom.

Students and faculty working on team building

Courses

Earn your Certificate in Sales Excellence by completing 15 credit hours of required coursework. An Advanced Certificate in Sales Excellence is also available for students who complete an additional 3 credit hours of relevant coursework. Any and all majors are welcome to apply for admittance to the program by taking the first course in the program, Sales Communication – MRKT 257, which is an ACE 2 class.

Required Coursework

Sales Communication (MRKT 257)
ACE 2 Designated Class
This is the first course in the certificate program and provides an introduction to the fundamentals of sales communication including, verbal, listening, and written skills. You will learn the various components of the selling process, develop a written selling plan, and gain experience in executing each step of the selling process through role-play exercises.

Advanced Professional Selling (MRKT 357)
Prereq: MRKT 257 and admission to Center for Sales Excellence
This course will build on the concepts in MRKT 257. You will learn advanced professional selling theory and practice, sales processes, planning and delivering sales presentations, and dealing with ethical sales issues. Professional selling practice and individual feedback for improvement are a core component of this course.

Sales Practicum I (MRKT 371)
Prereq: Admission to Center for Sales Excellence
This course will help you develop your personal brand. You will learn about business etiquette, networking, negotiations, and career strategy. You will also be exposed to the organizational culture and opportunities provided by the Center for Sales Excellence Partners and learn what they look for in potential employees.

Customer Relationship Management and Sales Technologies (MRKT 457)
Prereq: MRKT 257 and admission to the Center for Sales Excellence
This course focuses on customer relationship management (CRM) and sales force technology. The course will teach you how to use CRM systems in sales and use them to identify good prospects, improve customer retention, and maximize customer value. You will also get hands-on experience using a CRM system to successfully plan and execute a sales plan.

Sales Force Management (MRKT 458)
Prereq: MRKT 341 or admission to the Center for Sales Excellence
In this course, you will learn about tasks that a sales managers needs to perform in building, directing and leading a sales force. Topics covered include sales forecasting, designing and structuring sales territories, and issues related to hiring, managing, compensating and evaluating sales people.

Optional Coursework

Sales Practicum II (MRKT 372) - (1-3 credit hours)
Prereq: Admission to Center for Sales Excellence
This optional practicum course is for students who want to pursue a sales-related internship (highly recommended). In this practicum, you work with a professor on a one-on-one basis and learn how academic sales concepts apply to your practical internship experience.

Additional Coursework for Advanced Certificate in Sales Excellence

Key Account Selling (MRKT 460) - (3 credit hours)
Prereq: MRKT 257; MRKT 357; MRKT 457; and admission to the Center for Sales Excellence
Teaches how to segment key accounts, how to identify high-margin business opportunities, how to sell to complex enterprises, and how to manage a Key Account team. Students practice key account presentations through role-play exercises and make actual calls and presentations to businesses in the region.

Outside the Classroom

Get the most out of your collegiate experience by taking advantage of opportunities to get involved. Challenge yourself and make meaningful connections along the way.

Role-Play Lab

Use one of the seven state-of-the-art role-play labs equipped with one-touch recording technology to help with class assignments, reviewing and revising your work, and to download your role-play videos for digital resumes and samples to share with potential employers.

Students standing in front of Deloitte sign

Competitions

Earn the opportunity to represent Nebraska at national and international sales competitions. The center also hosts the university's role-play competition.

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Networking Events

Connect with our corporate partners in networking events held on and off campus.

Scholarship Opportunities

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

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