McDonald’s USA LLC employees now can use credits from Hamburger University to earn college degrees through Excelsior College, a virtual university.
Hamburger University, McDonald’s worldwide training center of excellence, has more than 5,000 students annually participate in its courses and learning activities.
John F. Ebersole, Excelsior College president, said is looks forward to a new partnership.
“Excelsior College is proud and honored to join with McDonald’s, a world leader in employee education and training, to make college degrees accessible to its employees,” he said.
Additionally, Ebersole said Hamburger University’s program coincides with Excelsior College’s aims.
“Excelsior College’s mission has always included the recognition of college-level education received in noncollegiate settings, and Hamburger University’s programs are among the best available anywhere,” Ebersole said.
Diana Thomas, vice president of U.S. training, learning and development and Hamburger University dean, said McDonald’s puts a premium on employee education, as well as the bottom-line impact thereof, and the benefits of the partnership will reach many individuals throughout the corporation.
“By partnering with Excelsior College, we are able to further opportunities for our employees to achieve their personal, professional and academic goals,” Thomas said. “As a brand, we cannot be successful unless our employees are successful, and education provides a solid foundation to achieve success,” Thomas said.
Hamburger University students can earn up to 46 college credits, which can be applied toward an associate or bachelor’s degree at Excelsior College. The actual number of credits an individual student can earn depends on the degree he or she seeks, as well as degree requirements determined by Excelsior College faculty members.
In fact, Excelsior College has matched Hamburger University coursework to degree requirements in some liberal arts and business programs. Academic advisers at Excelsior College will help McDonald’s employees plan the best way to use the credits they earned at Hamburger University to complete their Excelsior College degree though its computer-delivered exams and online courses.
All Hamburger University courses have received college credit recommendations from the American Council on Education (ACE). Accordingly, Excelsior College will accept the ACE credit recommendations.
