ALEXANDRIA, Va. Motorcoach operators and drivers dont have to leave the comfort of their offices or homes to attend classes to improve their business acumen.

The United Motorcoach Associations new Bus and Motorcoach Academy offers a lineup of continuing college education classes on-line that are aimed at helping operators improve their managerial skills and business knowledge, and help drivers improve their skills as professionals.

Developed by UMA in partnership with the College of Southern Maryland, the academy is registering students for the first set of classes that begin Aug. 6. Each of the classes will repeat in September and again in November.

'I am confident the academy will provide a solid continuing education program for the bus industry and will address some of its most pressing needs,' said Carmen W. Daecher, dean of the academy and chief executive of Daecher Consulting Group.

He said the industrys needs have broadened and deepened, and the courses offered by the academy will help industry people especially small operators meet those needs.

The academys initial five-class curriculum for owners, executives and managers includes Business and Marketing I and II, Financial Management, Safety and Compliance, and Human Resources.

Drivers will be able to study Driver Qualifications, Vehicle Maintenance, Safe Driving, Passenger Issues, and Security.

Unlike some on-line classes that can be taken at the students own pace, each of the academy classes will have to be completed in five weeks. The cost for each class is $139 for UMA members and $199 for nonmembers. Members can sign up for all five classes at a discounted rate of $599.

For a look at what the academy has to offer and to sign up for classes, go the school Website at www.itc.csmd.edu/uma. There youll find a complete list and detailed descriptions of all of the classes offered by the academy and instructions on how to register.

Registration can be done on-line, although you will have to complete both an application form and a registration form and pay fees by credit card. Registration also can be done by mail or fax by completing a registration form and mailing a check for the fees.

Help for any issues is a phone call or e-mail away.

For logging on and general assistance, contact the Information Center at (301) 934-7765 or send an e-mail to info@csmd.edu; for registration issues, contact the registrars office at (301) 934-7558. or send an e-mail to registrar@csmd.edu; and for billing issues, contact the bursars office at (301) 934-7712, or send an e-mail bursars@csmd.edu.

Companies interested in group discounts may contact Mark Gedris at UMA at (800) 424-8262, or (703) 838-2929, or e-mail mgedris@uma.org.