by Kelsey Asher
Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel. – Socrates
In the hurried beehive that most Americans live in, people are often looking for ways to enrich their lives in ways that work with their busy schedules. The University of West Georgia Continuing Education program offers comprehensive and innovative learning opportunities to fit any schedule whether it is exploring an interest, developing skills or shifting careers.
The UWG Continuing Education program offers hundreds of non-credit online courses, in person classes, conferences, and one day events.
“Schools throughout the university system wanted to find a way to share our bank of knowledge with the citizens, businesses, and organization within their demographic area” explained Continuing Education Director Marty Davis. “In fact, the University System of Georgia actually created the national standards for the Continuing Education Unit (CEU) in 1974. Since that time, other states have followed along the same guidelines.”
Continuing education courses for professional development range from business programs like Six Sigma to graphic design to biofuel production operations. Developed by faculty, staff, and the community of West Georgia, the courses provide students of all ages and academic backgrounds an opportunity to learn in a way that works for them.
Martha Sanders, a clinical placement specialist at Tanner Health System School of Nursing, did not know what to expect when she took a Calligraphy class at UWG on a whim.
“Calligraphy took every bit of my concentration. I was completely absorbed,” Martha said. “When an activity takes all of your concentration, it is therapeutic.”
Current courses offered include beekeeping, nursing assistant, calligraphy, driver’s education, writing and publishing courses, computer classes, and many more.
For a full list of courses, please check out the continuing education catalogue at www.westga.edu/conted/.
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