Sometimes all that's needed in relation to continuing education are a few quick refresher courses to tweak customer service skills, supervisory skills, leadership skills, problem-solving skills, writing and communication skills. Universities or community colleges often offer a variety of short-term courses through their Customized Training or Continuing/Distance Education departments. Typically, courses run through the evenings, on weekends, or online.
Courses of this nature typically have no prerequisites, and offer no specific credit to a future degree or diploma. They’re meant to provide busy professionals with an opportunity to seek out professional development in specific areas. Occasionally, colleges might offer a certificate in leadership or management skills, dependent on the completion of a series of mandatory and elective courses. It never hurts to ask! If you’re not interested in working on a major degree or diploma right now, you might want to consider taking a non-credit, part-time course.
The cost for a part-time, non-credit course, usually depends on the number of hours required to complete the course and whether or not it leads to any type of certificate or certification. You could expect to pay anywhere from $100 - $400 plus the cost of a book(s) and supplies. Again, depending on the type of course and what it entails, prices may vary.
