While the International University Webber approaches its 100th anniversary, its leaders emphasize that it is no longer simply a business school.
As proof of this, Webber Is expanding its offer of online programs not degrees for certifications in a range of fields, most of them linked to information and medicine technologies.
The Babson Park school forged collaboration in the spring of 2025 with Medcerts, a supplier of online education programs. Webber now offers around 50 certification programs via Medcerts, such as the specialist in behavioral technicians, the cybersecurity analyst, the medical invoicing specialist and the professional caregiver.
The programs are all asynchronous, which means that students work at their own pace, said Ryan Reis, executive director of Webber for advancement and external relations.
Program costs vary from $ 1,300 to $ 6,000, plus request fees of $ 150.
“So, when I became president in 2025, part of what I had to do was take a look at the place where we are as an institution, and where the opportunities for us are able to meet the needs of the workforce, both local, state and national,” said the president of Webber, Nelson Marquez. “And I saw the opportunity for us to draw on types of certificate programs.”
Marquez was interim president before the webber board of directors voted unanimously to appoint it to the permanent role in December 2025. He succeeded H. Keith Wadewhich has occupied the role since 2008.
Marquez, who holds a doctorate in education at the Nova Southeastern University, held various positions at the Polk State College from 1994 to 2015 before joining Webber as vice-president of institutional efficiency and the link of the Research University with the school accreditation association.
Founded in 1927 as a commercial college for women, Webber now has around 850 students. St. Andrews University of North Caroline merged with Webber in 2011 and Marquez supervises the two schools.
Marquez said that by trying to add without degrees, he realized that it would have taken years to webber to develop them alone.
“But Medcerts already has this menu of tenders, and that is why the partnership that we have forged with them is the one that will allow us to market more quickly, more effectively and meet the needs much faster,” said Marquez.
Medcerts, founded in 2009, is part of Stride Inc., a for -profit education company.
Although most of the programs are offered entirely online, the list includes some, such as the phlebotomy technician, which requires personal education, said Reis.
Webber has been collaborating for about three years with Careersource Polk, a provider of labor programs that receive federal funding. Marquez said the agency had informed webber leaders of local training needs.
Since the launch of the programs, Webber has had five students completed training courses, said Reis. All participated through the career development and training program of the innovation law and the opportunities of the workforce supervised by Careersource Polk.
“Well, we start with five, but my next goal is 10, and from 10, it becomes 20,” said Marquez. “But we have no ceiling because Medcerts has the capacity and the ability to welcome as many students as possible, due to the design. And this is part of the attraction of considering Medcerts as our partner.”
Although Careersource Polk directs customers to programs, Marquez stressed that potential students can register directly via the Webber website. The certification programs are available for anyone, although he said that the initial accent was on the service of residents of Polk County.
The University has launched an initiative entitled Webber Worldwide, a new brand of its online programs. Marquez said webber has also changed the cost structure of these programs, which makes them competitive with the rates that other schools charge per hour of credit. To this end, Webber uses the slogan “affordable excellence in academics”.
Webber celebrated the first graduate of his nursing program, Jaronda Terrell, in December. Terrell has since achieved his authorized nurse license examination and works as a nurse, said Marquez.
Webber recently organized a visit to representatives of the Collegiate Nursing Education Commission, an accreditation agency, and Marquez said that the reception of accreditation seems “very, very favorable”. The program has already obtained the approval of the Florida Board of Nursing and the Institutional Webber accreditor, he said.
The school also offers an RN program in BSN online for the practice of nurses who do not hold a baccalaureate, a requirement of hiring in many hospitals. The program can be completed as little as a year, said Marquez.
“Historically, Webber has always been known as a business school,” said Marquez. “By starting with this, it is part of our strategy to essentially inform the public that we are no longer just a business school.”
Gary White has gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow x @ garywhite13.
Finn founded Learnopoly to provide unbiased, in-depth online course reviews, helping learners make informed choices. With a decade in financial services, he developed strategic partnerships and business development expertise. After a frustrating experience with a biased course review, Finn was inspired to create a trusted learning resource.