Rutgers Business School Executive Education offered its newest certificate program for veterans who are transitioning into the workforce in an accelerated one-week course last week at Rutgers’ main campus in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

The program, Mini-MBA: Business Management for Military and Veterans certificate program was open to military service and veterans preparing to enter the civilian workforce, as well as civilians who work closely with this population.

The issue of helping veterans has become a visible one, as the Veterans Administration recently launched the Veterans Economic Communities Initiative (VECI), designed to help promote economic success for veterans.

“Civilians have an invaluable role in helping veterans make successful transitions from military to business careers,” said Margaret O’Donnell, RBSEE program manager. “We feel very strongly that the burden of career transition doesn’t lie solely with veterans, but also resides with civilian employers.”

The program was taught by a mix of instructors, including veterans who have gone on to thriving business careers, distinguished Rutgers faculty and local business leaders.

“Our program faculty members are primarily successful business people who formerly served in the military, so they ‘get it,’” O’Donnell said.

The mini-MBA program tackled such topics as: business strategy, supply-chain management, business law and ethics, managing employees, and leadership.

“This program clearly has touched a nerve in the community,’’ O’Donnell said. “It has been met with such a positive response from active duty, reservists and veterans, as well as civilian employers, all of whom are seeking to make the transition process from military to civilian careers easier.”

The program also included a mentoring component that provided participants with access to resources and support following an intense, accelerated learning experience.

Last year, Military Times ranked RBS as the fourth best business school in the country for veterans, and in 2013, U.S. Veterans magazine listed Rutgers University as one of the nation’s top veteran friendly schools.

Broward College and Arkansas Tech University recently announced new programs focused on logistics and supply-chain management.