Continuing education is post-secondary education for additional certifications or maintaining a license. It’s for adults who already have a degree and can be in various formats. Some careers require mandatory continuing education, and some companies pay for their employees to take courses. Prospective students should contact their university for available programs.
Continuing education refers to any type of post-secondary education, used to obtain additional certifications or as credits needed to maintain a license. Almost everyone can follow continuing education courses for personal or professional enrichment; fitness instructors, nurse practitioners, and safety instructors are examples of professionals who fall into the second category. This type of education is aimed exclusively at adults who already have a university or university degree.
Individuals undergo continuing education in the form of workshops, seminars, home or online study courses, lectures, and hands-on training. There is no specific format or length for this type of program – some may require a weekend, while others may last for weeks or even months. In the case of self-advancement-only education, students typically do not receive college credit, as the courses are not considered part of the standard education system. A common feature of all continuing education programs is the registration process. Participation in a conference or cultural event open to the public does not confer any type of training credit on the participants and cannot be considered formal training.
Mandatory continuing education is common in some careers, such as the dental and health care professions. By law, certain individuals are required to keep up with modern developments, thus ensuring the best possible treatment for patients. Due to the highly competitive marketplace, professionals who do not require the extra training often decide to undertake it anyway as a means of enhancing their resume and chances for advancement. Critics of this type of program argue that obtaining credit is becoming easier, which means that many professionals attend workshops but don’t necessarily absorb new information from them.
Some companies even pay for their employees to take continuing education courses. These include both standard and on-site programs. While the first choice takes time away from the worker, the second choice allows employees to earn credits during working hours. Individuals interested in enrolling in a continuing education program should first contact their university to see if special graduate programs are available. As well as being a more convenient way to get started, a prospective student can ensure that the topics covered resonate with their career and interests.
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