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Q: I’ve decided I don’t want to be in business unless my business is a good corporate citizen. I’m willing to make the necessary sacrifices to the bottom line. What can you tell me about B Corp certification?

ACE Advises: B Corporation certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of Tested performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials. Maine companies like Luke’s Lobster, Tom’s of Maine and Coffee By Design have secured B Corp certification. It is considered an important proof of commitment and accountability. But while B Corps are committed and accountable businesses, your business can be both committed and accountable without becoming a B Corp.

Let me place this unapologetic capitalist bug in your ear: businesses that pay attention to environmental impact, social responsibility, and good governance simply do better than others. According to BlackRock founder, Larry Fink, “purposeful companies, with better environmental, social, and governance (ESG) profiles, …outperform(ed) their peers.” Fink terms this a “sustainability premium.”

You need to think carefully about whether certification serves your business. Are you trying to attract a specific type of investor? Would certification help drive sales, more than, say, including compelling examples of your environmental, social and governance commitments in your marketing materials? Or are you making B Corp certification an end in itself?

Operationally, high ESG profile companies manage their resources better, such as water, electricity, gas, and reduce waste. They mitigate risk through regulatory compliance and understand when regulatory change is on the horizon, reducing insurance and litigation risk.

If the market perceives that a company is a good corporate citizen, the company’s market value typically increases by 10% to 65%. Customers will pay a premium for “good” products, leading to increased sales, customer loyalty, and lower customer acquisition costs; these contribute to larger top and bottom lines.

These companies have an easier time getting capital, at lower cost because they are a low financial risk. No wonder BlackRock pays attention.

Deborah Mills-Scofield, an ACE member and principal at Mills-Scofield LLC, helps companies create and implement actionable, adaptable, measurable and profitable innovation-based strategic plans. She is Brown University’s Mentoring Maven, serving students, alumni and start-ups. Deborah can be reached at dms@mills-scofield.com.

© Provided by TechRadar Pro app security

One of the most popular PDF reader apps on the Google Play Store is actually just a vehicle to deliver potentially harmful adware, experts have warned.

An investigation by Malwarebytes found that the imaginatively-named "PDF reader - documents viewer" app did nothing of the sort, but instead flooded user devices with annoying full screen adverts, even when not in use.

The company warns that the app has already had over a million downloads, and Google has yet to remove it, meaning even more victims could be hooked soon.

In a blog post outlining the scam, Malwarebytes notes how the app looks to trick users by not displaying ads immediately after being installed.

Instead, it waits a few hours, making it harder to spot which app has caused the issue. When activated, however, the app fills the user's home screen with full-page adverts, blocking them from accessing their device unless they click on the ad.

Video ads are also displayed, effectively preventing the user from accessing their device, with ads launching more and more frequently the longer the app is left unchecked.

Malwarebytes notes that the initial Google Play app listing page raised a few red flags that may have tipped users off that this was not a legitimate service. This includes a "Mature 17+" content rating - pretty unusual for an Android PDF reader, and the developer name of "Fairy games" - again, not something you would typically associate with such a service.

"If you have a lot of apps installed on your mobile device, this one can very hard to track down," Malwarebytes noted. "Another reason to not blindly trust you are safe while installing exclusively from Google Play. Even if the Play Store is by far the safest place to install apps on Android, it can fault from time to time as well. Having an anti-malware scanner, or anti-adware in this case, is a good idea. Stay safe out there!"

What first began as an agricultural research project at North Carolina State University eventually grew into a full-fledged software and services company by 1976. SAS has gone on to develop a solid customer base in the banking and pharmaceutical industries as well as in academia and at numerous agencies at all levels of government. Today, SAS is a leader in business analytics, data warehousing and data mining.

SAS has been recognized as one of the best places to work by organizations like Fortune and the Great Place to Work Institute. Coming in at No. 37, SAS made its 21st appearance in Fortune’s list of 100 best companies to work for in 2017 and No. 23 in Fortune’s list of top 100 best workplaces for millennials in 2018. Indeed, the company’s low turnover rate (4 percent in 2016) is an indicator of its commitment to its employees and, indirectly, to its customers as well.

Of the top 100 Fortune Global 500 companies, 96 are SAS customers. SAS customers span the globe with more than 83,000 instances installed in 144 countries.

SAS certification program overview

SAS has awarded more than 100,000 certifications since the program’s introduction in 1999, according to Brightcove. Today, the SAS Global Certification Program offers 23 credentials across seven categories:

• Foundation Tools
• Advanced Analytics
• Business Intelligence and Analytics
• Data Management
• Administration
• JMP
• Partners

SAS certifications, along with required exams and costs, are described in more detail in the following sections. Although experience levels aren’t specifically indicated for each certification, a good rule of thumb is a minimum of eight months of experience on the base SAS system for Base Programmers and two to three years of relevant, hands-on experience for all other certifications before candidates tackle their respective exams.

All exams are administered by Pearson VUE or through a SAS-sponsored certification exam session (typically in conjunction with a training course). SAS also offers online proctored exams for all certification credentials through their partnership with Pearson VUE. Note that all certifications covered below are based on SAS 9.4.

Foundation Tools credentials aim at SAS professionals whose workdays revolve around writing and managing SAS programs. The company currently offers three Foundation Tools certifications:

• SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9: The Base Programmer knows how to query databases and perform analyses, including importing and exporting raw data files, manipulating data, combining SAS data sets and creating reports. The certification exam features 50 to 55 multiple-choice questions, a 100-minute time limit, and candidates must answer at least a 70 percent of the questions correctly to pass the exam.
• SAS Certified Advanced Programmer for SAS 9: The Advanced Programmer must be skilled in writing advanced DATA step programming statements and solving complex problems as well as interpreting SAS SQL code and writing SAS macros. The certification exam features 60 to 65 multiple-choice questions, a 100-minute time limit and candidates must answer at least 65 percent of the questions correctly to pass the exam.
• SAS Certified Clinical Trials Programmer Using SAS 9: This programmer works exclusively with clinical trials data, transforming raw data into polished, validated reports. There are two different paths to achieving this certification:
  • Clinical Trial Programmer Exam: The certification exam features 90 to100 multiple-choice questions, a three-hour time limit and candidates must answer at least a 70 percent of the questions correctly to pass the exam. There are no prerequisites required to take this exam.
  • Clinical Trial Programmer – Accelerated Exam: The certification exam features 70 to 75 multiple-choice questions, a 120-minute time limit, and candidates must answer at least a 70 percent of the questions correctly to pass the exam. Candidates must already have completed the SAS Base Programmer certification before they can sit for this accelerated exam.

* SAS offers a 50 percent discount on the cost of all exams to instructors, students, faculty and staff at schools and higher education institutions as well as to SAS employees. See the SAS FAQs for details.

SAS Advanced Analytics certifications

The Advanced Analytics credentials are designed for SAS professionals who gather, manipulate and analyze big data using SAS tools, run reports and make business recommendations based on complex models. The certifications in this category include:

• SAS Certified Data Scientist Using SAS 9: Data scientists can use both open source and SAS tools to manipulate data, form conclusions and make recommendations, and deploy SAS solutions. Rather than being a stand-alone certification, the Certified Data Scientist credential is attained by completing the Certified Big Data Professional and Certified Advanced Analytics Professional credentials.
• SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional Using SAS 9: An Advanced Analytics Professional uses predictive modeling and statistical analysis methods and techniques to analyze big data sets. Candidates must pass three exams to complete this certification:
  • Predictive Monitoring Using SAS Enterprise Miner 7, 13 or 14
  • Advanced Predictive Modeling
  • Text Analytics, Time Series, Experimentation and Optimization
• SAS Certified Predictive Modeler Using SAS Enterprise Miner 14: A Predictive Modeler prepares data and then builds, assesses, and implements predictive models. The certification exam features 55 to 60 multiple choice and short-answer questions, a 165-minute time limit, and candidates must achieve a score of at least 725 points from a possible point range of 200 to 1,000 points to pass the exam. Find out more about scaled scores via the exam FAQs. There are no credential prerequisites required to take this exam, though a thorough knowledge of a number of related skills and techniques is required.
• SAS Certified Statistical Business Analyst Using SAS 9 Regression and Modeling: The Statistical Business Analyst uses SAS software to perform statistical analyses and predictive modeling, including linear and logistic regression, variance analysis and model performance measurements. The certification exam features 60 multiple-choice and short-answer questions, a two-hour time limit, and candidates must answer at least 68 percent of the questions correctly to pass the exam. There are no credential prerequisites required to take this exam, though a thorough knowledge of a number of related skills and techniques is required.

SAS Business Intelligence and Analytics certifications

The Business Intelligence and Analytics credentials are designed for IT professionals who create interfaces and reports for SAS 9 or who use SAS Visual Analytics routinely. For the following certifications, there are no credential prerequisites required to take these exams, though a thorough knowledge of a number of related skills and techniques is required. The three certifications in this category are:

• SAS Certified BI Content Developer for SAS 9: The BI Content Developer focuses mainly on creating, implementing and customizing SAS interface applications (such as reporting applications), including data management and dashboard creation. The certification exam features 60 to 65 multiple-choice questions, a two-hour time limit, and candidates must answer at least 70 percent of the questions correctly to pass the exam.
• SAS Certified Visual Business Analyst Exploration and Design Using SAS Visual Analytics: This credential targets analysts who use SAS Visual Analytics, Visual Analytics Explorer, and Visual Analytics Designer to add, manipulate and explore data, and create reports. The certification exam features 60 to 65 multiple-choice questions, a 100-minute time limit, and candidates must answer at least 68 percent of the questions correctly to pass the exam.
• SAS Certified Visual Modeler Using SAS Visual Statistics 7.4:  The Certified Visual Modeler targets analysts who perform model fitting and analysis as well as predictive and exploratory modeling in business environments using SAS Visual Statistics. The certification exam features 50 multiple-choice, short-answer and interactive questions, a 90-minute time limit and candidates must answer at least 68 percent of the questions correctly to pass the exam.

SAS Data Management certifications

Professionals whose workdays (or career aspirations) revolve more around managing data and platforms rather than deep statistics, analysis and modeling will gravitate to data management credentials. For the following certifications, there are no credential prerequisites required to take these exams, though a thorough knowledge of a number of related skills and techniques is required. The three certifications in this category are:

• SAS Certified Big Data Professional Using SAS 9: The Big Data credential is designed for professionals who conduct statistical analyses using SAS and open source data-management tools. This credential is comprised of two separate exams:
  • Big Data Preparation, Statistics and Visual Exploration
  • SAS Big Data Programming and Loading
• SAS Certified Data Integration Developer for SAS 9: The Data Integration Developer works with data to prepare it for analysis and reporting. Candidates must know how to define the platform architecture for SAS Business Analytics as well as create metadata, transform data and tables, and run jobs. The certification exam features 76 multiple-choice questions, a 105-minute time limit, and candidates must answer at least 70 percent of the questions correctly to pass the exam.
• SAS Certified Data Quality Steward for SAS 9: The Data Quality Steward validates the skills of professionals who use the SAS DataFlux Data Management Studio. The certification exam features 75 multiple-choice questions, a 110-minute time limit, and candidates must answer at least 68 percent of the questions correctly to pass the exam.

SAS Administration certifications

The administration category has a single credential – the SAS Certified Platform Administrator for SAS 9 – designed for professionals responsible for supporting the SAS Business Analytics platform from installation through day-to-day maintenance. Candidates must know how to set up folders, manage user accounts, monitor system performance, apply security techniques, perform backups and complete other administrative tasks. The certification exam features 70 multiple-choice questions, a 110-minute time limit, and candidates must answer at least 70 percent of the questions correctly to pass the exam.

JMP certifications

SAS JMP is data analysis and visualization software that allows users to explore, mine and share data analyses in a graphical format. The JMP credential includes two exams:

• JMP Certified Specialist – JMP Scripting Using JMP 14: Using the JMP Scripting Language (JSL), candidates will demonstrate their proficiency in completing various programming and scripting tasks.
• JMP Certified Specialist – Design and Analysis of Experiments Using JMP 14: Successful candidates will demonstrate their abilities and skills in designing and analyzing various industrial experiments, including evaluating model assumptions and process optimization.

Both of these certification exams feature 50 to 60 multiple-choice and short-answer questions, a 150-minute time limit, and candidates must achieve a score of at least 725 points from the possible point range of 200 to 1,000 points. Find out more about scaled scores via the exam FAQ.

Partner certifications

SAS offers credential programs for certified SAS resellers, VARs, and consultants though its partner program. There are six partner credentials available to SAS partners:

Access to the Partner credentialing portal is restricted to authorized SAS partners only. As a result, some details of the partner exam process are hidden from public view. If you work for a SAS partner, ask your company SAS liaison or your SAS sales team for more details about partner certifications.

Why get SAS certified? More demonstrated knowledge typically means more earning power. A quick search for SAS programmer on major job posting sites returns hundreds, if not thousands, of open positions across the United States, most with starting salaries in a range from $52,000 to $126,000.

While salaries vary depending on industry, experience, certifications achieved and other factors, average SAS programmer earnings are almost $81,038 nationally, per SimplyHired. The average earnings in SAS statistical modeling careers are almost $110,000, topping out around $200,000.

Tip: To make the hiring process easier, employers can verify a candidate’s credentials by searching the SAS Global Certified Professional Directory.

Suffice it to say, a SAS certification can pay off quickly. Couple that with an outstanding company culture, achieving a SAS credential and working for SAS is a smart career move for anyone with programming chops and a desire for longevity with a single company.

SAS careers are plentiful and vary depending on your goals and career aspirations. Some SAS careers naturally gravitate toward one or more certification categories. Some examples of common job roles by certification category include:

• Foundation Tools: Analysts, programmers and data managers
• Advanced Analytics: Technical analysts, statisticians and data scientists
• Business Intelligence and Analytics: Content developers and analysts
• Data Management: Analysts, programmers and data managers
• Administration: Platform administrators

Regardless of your area(s) of interest, you’ll find a plethora of SAS careers available.

Training and resources

SAS offers links to SAS classroom and eLearning courses, sample exam questions and full practice exams. Refer to the exam Preparation tab for each certification on the SAS Certification website. Candidates can purchase certification packages that include training courses, preparation materials and exam vouchers with typical discounts of 35 to 40 percent.

SAS training can be pricey, depending on factors such as delivery method and class length.

Individual courses range from lows around $1,100 to highs of $4,000. Candidates should be sure to check out the SAS Discounts web page for information on current discount programs, best value deals, veteran’s discounts and more before enrolling.

The SAS Training and Books webpage provides links to certification prep books, training courses, eLearning opportunities (SAS onDemand) and the SAS Global Academic Program. SAS also offers sample exam questions and training software may be accessed through the SAS University Edition.

Many colleges and universities, such as Philadelphia University, Florida State University and the University of Missouri, to name just a few, also offer SAS certificate programs to their undergraduate and graduate students. If you’re in (or thinking of going to) getting SAS certified as part of your degree program, it pays to check out your SAS certification options before choosing an institution of higher learning.

Ed Tittel

Ed is a 30-year-plus veteran of the computing industry, who has worked as a programmer, a technical manager, a classroom instructor, a network consultant and a technical evangelist for companies that include Burroughs, Schlumberger, Novell, IBM/Tivoli and NetQoS. He has written for numerous publications, including Tom’s IT Pro, and is the author of more than 100 computing books on information security, web markup languages and development tools, and Windows operating systems.

Earl Follis

Earl is also a 30-year veteran of the computer industry, who worked in IT training, marketing, technical evangelism and market analysis in the areas of networking and systems technology and management. Ed and Earl met in the late 1980s when Ed hired Earl as a trainer at an Austin-area networking company that’s now part of HP. The two of them have written numerous books together on NetWare, Windows Server and other topics. Earl is also a regular writer for the computer trade press with many e-books, white papers and articles to his credit.

SUNY Cortland is a NASM Academic Partnered School. As a SUNY Cortland student enrolled at a Partner School, you qualify for special pricing on the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam and study package bundle. This is an amazing deal to help you prepare to successfully complete the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification.

As of today, you will receive a $200 discount on your CPT exam (retails for $599) or CPT Self-Study bundle (retails for $699). Therefore, the exam only is $399.00 and the Self-Study Bundle (which includes all study materials and the exam) is $499.00.

**This purchase will also make you eligible to receive student discounts, as long as you are enrolled at the partnered school receiving 20% or more off of remaining certifications.**

To take advantage of this promotion, click on the link below:

Once you click on the link, you can decide whether to register for the exam Only or the Academic CPT Self Study Program

Students have 1 year from the date they registered to sit for the CPT Exam.

If have questions, please email Louise Mahar, Assistant Director for Fitness or call 607-753-4943.

© 2022 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

The most competitive applications have at least an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 from the applicant's bachelor's degree, a strong GPA over their last 60 credits (3.0 or better), and prerequisite grades (B or better, especially in science courses). Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and receive a passing score (scores are only valid for up to two years from the test date).

We will waive the TOEFL/IELTS for the following students:

• Those that have completed English Composition I and II earning a grade of C or better from a regionally accredited institution in the United States.
• Those that have studied at, for a minimum of four years, and subsequently graduated from a high school or university where English is the primary language of instruction.
• Those that are U.S. Citizens/permanent residents.

Additionally, students must take prerequisite courses before matriculating in the Accelerated Career Entry (ACE) program by the deadlines specified.

Prerequisites

We do not waive or substitute prerequisite courses.

The prerequisite courses below must be completed by August 1 for fall entrance and January 15 for spring entrance. No exceptions will be made. Applicants with a greater number of prerequisites completed will be considered more competitive. Transcripts are not evaluated until you are admitted into the program.

• Bachelor's degree
• English Composition: 3 semester credits
• Developmental Psychology (lifespan): 3 semester credits
• Human Nutrition: 3 semester credits
• Statistics: 3 semester credits
• General Chemistry I with Lab: 4 semester credits (General or Allied Health Majors)
• Anatomy with lab OR Anatomy and Physiology I with lab: 4 semester credits
• Physiology with lab OR Anatomy and Physiology II with lab: 4 semester credits
• Microbiology with lab: 4 semester credits

Three of the four science prerequisites need to be completed at the time of application, with the Anatomy/Physiology sequence courses being two of them. Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology must be taken within five years prior to enrollment in the ACE Program. Chemistry, Human Nutrition and Statistics must be taken within 10 years prior to enrollment.

Note: Prerequisites are based on semester-based institutions. For example, if the Anatomy/Physiology courses are taken at a quarter-based institution, Anatomy/Physiology I, II, and III must be taken to meet the requirement.

Prerequisite Course Equivalencies

You may take prerequisite courses at any regionally accredited university or community college and you must earn a grade of "C" or higher for credits to transfer. Online courses can be accepted if they were taken at a regionally accredited college or university. View course equivalencies from schools near us:

View the College of Nursing and Health Professions' Technical Standards for Admission, Academic Progression, and Graduation for more information.

Compliance

The College of Nursing and Health Professions has a compliance process that may be required for every student. Some of these steps may take significant time to complete, so please plan accordingly. (Please note that certain requirements, including background checks and clearances, can only be completed post-confirmation.)