SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Automotive Dealership Institute and Northwood University have agreed to academic credit and Web site link exchange programs, effective immediately.

The academic credit transfer agreement allows graduates of ADI’s Finance and Insurance Management course to transfer up to 32 academic credit units toward any of Northwood’s applicable degree programs. The link exchange between Northwood’s Web site, www.northwood.edu, and ADI’s Web site, www.autodealerinstitute.com, will inform prospective students of the advantages of attending each institution.

According to the articulation document prepared by Dr. Robert W. Serum, Northwood vice president of Academics & International Programs, graduates of ADI’s F&I course can earn 32 academic credit units transferable to Northwood, as follows:

AM 131 - Macro View - 4 credits

AM 132 - Dealership Organization and Management - 4 credits

AM 201 - Principles of Selling - 4 credits

AM 362 - F&I Department - 4 credits

MGT 230 - Principles of Management - 4 credits

MGT 231 - Credit Management - 4 credits

MKT 209 - Principles of Retailing - 4 credits

SOC 205 - Group Dynamics - 3 credits

PSY 109 - Leadership Development - 1 credit

"We are grateful to Dr. Serum and his Northwood University colleagues, Dr. David Long, chancellor and COO, and Warren Mault, executive director of Resource Development, for the generous credit transfer allowance," said Alan Algan, ADI’s CEO and executive director. "We plan to educate all our students on the benefits of a Northwood degree and the huge advantage they have by actually transferring their credits from ADI to NU toward one of its three automotive degree programs."

Robert King, professor of ADI’s Service Advisor course, graduated from Northwood University’s Michigan campus with degrees in Automotive Marketing and Business Administration.

Said Dr. Serum: "We have known Alan Algan and his associates for many years, and they have developed an outstanding F&I program. We are confident that ADI graduates who transfer to Northwood will have an excellent foundation as they advance their automotive education."

Northwood University, which is undergoing a complete Web site renovation, has added links to ADI’s newly designed Web site. The link exchange is a benefit to current and prospective students interested in developing careers in the automotive industry.

"There is a wealth of information on the Northwood and Automotive Dealership Institute websites," Dr. Long said. "With our redesign, our site is more easily navigated. Individuals who are pursuing an automotive education now have choices on how to proceed with that education. Toward that end, we are pleased to have arranged an articulation and link exchange agreement with ADI."

Added Warren Mault, "The future of the automotive industry depends on expert training, and that training is available at both Northwood and ADI. Together, we hope to make a dramatic impact on how the industry is run."

The Automotive Dealership Institute is a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based automotive management training facility that specializes in educating the next generation of Finance and Insurance managers and service advisors. ADI is approved by the State of Arizona Board for Private Postsecondary Education. For more information call (877) 998-7200 or visit www.autodealerinstitute.com.

Northwood University is a private institution specializing in management and entrepreneurial education. Northwood emphasizes the importance of free enterprise and a market-based economy, as well as the strong connection between business and the arts in its master’s, bachelor’s and associate’s degree programs. Northwood, with campuses in Michigan, Florida and Texas, offers degrees in a variety of disciplines, including three automotive-related majors: Automotive Marketing, Aftermarket Management and Automotive Marketing/Banking & Finance Management. For more information visit www.northwood.edu.