UC Irvine Extension Signs Articulation Agreement with University of Houston

Business Wire, August 18, 2008

Collaboration Creates New Educational Option for Spa and Hospitality Management Professionals

IRVINE, Calif. & HOUSTON -- In an ongoing effort to advance educational pathways available to students in the spa and hospitality management field, the University of California, Irvine Extension has signed an articulation agreement with the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management. The partnership will allow students who complete the UC Irvine Extension Certificate Program in Spa and Hospitality Management to become eligible for transfer into the University of Houston's Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management degree program with 10 undergraduate semester credit hours.

"We are pleased to have joined in partnership with the University of Houston," said Gary W. Matkin, Ph.D., dean of continuing education at UC Irvine. "As institutions with congruent goals and mission statements, our cooperative efforts will ensure a seamless transition between two complimentary programs - a collaboration which is a testament to our mutual commitment to providing greater educational opportunities and services for students."

UC Irvine Extension's Spa and Hospitality Management Certificate Program features in-depth studies taught by esteemed industry professionals from throughout the United States, covering everything from business planning and processes to opening a spa, to managing day-to-day operations and positioning for managed future growth.

Consistently ranked one of the world's finest hospitality programs, the Conrad N. Hilton College offers a combination of academic choice, research opportunities and industry connections that prepares students to lead, excel and increase their earning potential in the highly competitive spa and hospitality industry.

Graduates of the UC Irvine Extension Spa and Hospitality Management Certificate Program can now advance their careers by seamlessly transferring into the Bachelor of Science degree program at the Hilton College.

"The Hilton College is a perfect fit for UC Irvine Extension program graduates who elect to pursue an advanced degree," said Carl A. Boger, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Academic Programs for the Hilton College. "Together with UC Irvine Extension we are proud to cultivate a new generation of leaders for the spa and hospitality industry who have great technical, managerial and leadership skills."

For more information about this articulation agreement, or to enroll in UC Irvine Extension's Spa and Hospitality Management Certificate Program, contact Angela Jeantet at aljeante@uci.edu. For information about the Hilton College, or to enroll, contact Carl Boger at cboger@uh.edu.

About UC Irvine Extension: As the continuing education arm of UCI, UC Irvine Extension is dedicated to providing a university-level learning experience for students, offering thousands of exciting courses and programs to local, regional, and global constituencies. UC Irvine Extension offers a rich array of academic and community programs to support a diverse audience, from a wide selection of academic programs to numerous campus activities.

About the University of California, Irvine: The University of California, Irvine is a top-ranked university dedicated to research, scholarship and community service. Founded in 1965, UCI is among the fastest-growing University of California campuses, with more than 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students and about 1,400 faculty members. The second-largest employer in dynamic Orange County, UCI contributes an annual economic impact of $3.3 billion. For more UCI news, visit www.today.uci.edu.

About the University of Houston: The University of Houston, Texas' premier metropolitan research and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate, civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and service with more than 35,000 students. For more information about the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, visit http://www.hrm.uh.edu/.>

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