Professional Selling Major Now Offered
Full Time Bachelor’s Degree Program Offered on Charleston Campus
Beginning in the fall of 2022, students who wish to hone their skills in salesmanship, negotiation, collaboration and more, can pursue a major in Professional Selling from the University of Charleston.
The full-time bachelor’s degree program will be offered in seat on the Charleston campus through the UC School of Business and Leadership. It will be centered in the new Henry B. Wehrle Jr. Sales Center, an area in Riggleman Hall that was completely renovated last year.
The program helps address a growing national need for highly skilled sales professionals, and it also helps students develop the ability to use the principles of sales to help business sell products and services, advance the cause of non-profits, create strategies for marketing agencies, and work in a wide range of industries that utilize these skills.
“Students gain a foundational understanding of sales processes combined with applied, practical learning opportunities through direct interaction with partner companies,” explained Dr. Rick Ferris. “This ensures that our graduates are equipped and motivated to be high-performing sales professionals with the knowledge, skills, and contacts to secure post-college sales roles.”
The Sales Center includes facilities for sales simulations, labs, symposia, workshops, applied projects, corporate partnerships, student internships, sales competitions, and other engaging activities for the sales program. UC will also utilize a Sales Advisory Board, comprised of corporate partners and sales leaders, to assure that the program provides real life, current curriculum and instruction. Another unique aspect of the program is the executive-in-residence, providing students with opportunities to work with area sales and business professionals.
Through the program, students can earn professional certifications – incorporated into the curriculum – from Google Analytics, HubSpot, Salesforce, and the National Association of Sales Professionals
“Adding a professional selling program to our robust business and leadership portfolio provides students with another great career option,” said UC President Marty Roth. “More than 50 percent of college graduates nationwide, and close to 90 percent of marketing majors, will begin their careers in sales positions. Sales experience provides employees with an intimate knowledge of both products and customers, deep understanding of company operations and marketplace dynamics, while developing strong communication, negotiation, and other critical interpersonal skills. We are grateful for the Wehrle family’s vision and support to create the Henry B. Wehrle Jr. Sales Center and offer this important new major at UC.”