IRVINE, Calif.--May 9, 2008--University of California, Irvine Extension announces the newest elective courses added to its renowned Spa and Hospitality Management certificate program. Uniquely developed to meet the demands of the burgeoning spa market, “Quality Management for Spas" and “Integrating the Business of Wellness in Your Spa,” address the multitude of details involved in day-to-day spa operations. UC Irvine Extension is the first in the United States to offer a Certificate Program in Spa and Hospitality Management in a completely online platform; making it easier for busy professionals to gain the education needed at the flexibility of their schedules.

“Quality Management for Spas,” will be taught on the UC Irvine Extension campus by Linda Bankoski, managing director of education and assessment for SpaQuality LLC and co-author of “The International Standards of Spa Excellence,” a book that provides a framework for a complete spa quality management system. This course will run on August 22 and 23, and will provide students with the necessary skills to implement spa processes as a complete quality management system. Most importantly, course participants will also gain a solid understanding of how the integration of these systems can translate into enhanced guest experiences.

“Having a sound quality management system in place will ensure spa professionals the ability to offer the best service to their guests,” said Bankoski. “A spa’s success is dependent on how well the quality management system is designed, implemented and maintained.”

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Course Description and Outline

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The second course, “Integrating the Business of Wellness in Your Spa” is offered online and taught by Marc S. Micozzi, M.D., Ph. D., author of leading textbooks on complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) and wellness used at colleges and graduate schools throughout the world. The course is scheduled to run June 23 to August 8, and will explore how to integrate wellness in the operations of resort and day spas. Students will become familiar with a wide range of health and wellness services that fall under the broad category of complementary/alternative medicine; the development of a wellness inventory for the spa; and how to position the spa as a provider of CAM services.

“Businesses that introduce a complementary/alternative medicine program to their spa or resort must have a fully-prepared course of action for providing a wide range of wellness services,” said Micozzi. “When selecting CAM practitioners, it is absolutely critical for businesses to understand the necessary training, certification and licensing requirements practitioners must posses in order to effectively provide this type of service.”

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. For more information about the Spa and Hospitality Management certificate program at UC Irvine Extension, please visit unex.uci.edu/spa or call 949-824-5414.

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. For more information, please visit www.extension.uci.edu.

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.