Continuing Education

Vision

As a leading university provider of educational outreach and engagement, our vision is to help people achieve their goals and improve their quality of life, their organizations, and their communities.

Mission

The mission of LSU Continuing Education is to identify, create, and support lifelong learning opportunities through quality programs that are timely, capitalize on university expertise, and address educational needs with both credit and non-credit programs.

LSU Continuing Education serves thousands of registrants each year through a wide variety of credit and non-credit programs. Since 1924, Continuing Education has provided flexible and relevant educational programs to meet the needs of both traditional and non-traditional students, whether on the LSU campus or across the globe. Last year, participants in our programs came from most parishes in Louisiana, every state in the nation, and 49 countries. From a world-class Management and Leadership Institute to programs designed for lifelong learners of all ages, LSU Continuing Education works to support, promote, and enhance LSU’s Flagship 2020 through both face-to-face and distance delivery methods. All programs offered through Continuing Education follow the criteria for evaluation established by the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools (SACS). Undergraduate courses are offered through distance learning for college credit. Many Professional Development courses award Continuing Education Units (CEUs). All courses are taught by LSU faculty or qualified subject matter experts.

To address the changing needs of lifelong learners, Continuing Education programs focus on four main areas: Distance Learning Programs, Professional Development, Pre-College Programs, and Personal Enrichment.

Distance Learning Programs

Continuing Education provides opportunities for non-traditional learners to enroll in LSU college credit courses. Through Distance Learning Programs, students are able to earn credit for a wide range of undergraduate courses at anytime and anywhere. Distance Learning programs serve registrants from all over Louisiana, the U.S., and the world.

LSU Continuing Education offers two distance learning programs. Online Distance Learning (ODL) and Independent & Distance Learning (IDL) offer college credit courses taught by members of the university faculty and qualified instructors. LSU Distance Learning courses attract over 6,500 enrollments annually.

College-level distance learning courses are substantially the same in scope and content as those taught on campus. Online, web-enabled, and paper-based delivery methods are offered, and no admission or classroom attendance is required. Enrollment in a distance learning course may be made at any time. These courses are of particular interest to college students who are unable to attend campus classes or who need the flexibility of self-paced enrollment. In addition, college-level courses are taken by high school seniors or graduates who want to earn college credit, as well as individuals working independently toward professional and academic goals.

Further information concerning independent and distance learning and online distance learning courses, requirements, and opportunities may be obtained on the Continuing Education website, www.outreach.lsu.edu.

Professional Development

Serving the needs of working adults, Continuing Education’s Professional Development programs deliver cutting-edge knowledge applicable to today’s workforce, in effective formats and at convenient locations.

The programs are designed to build on the strengths and expertise of the LSU faculty and their academic and research units for the purpose of helping participants become more effective in their professional roles. The vast majority of programs are presented by teams comprised of select LSU faculty and proven professionals from business, industry, academia, and leading consulting firms from across the nation. LSU Professional Development’s programmatic activities increasingly serve as a major vehicle for knowledge and technology transfer.

Computer & Information Technology

LSU Computer & Information Technology provides non-credit training in computer operating systems, productivity software, programming languages, Web development, computer-aided design (CAD), and networking. Courses feature hands-on instruction in up-to-date computer labs. Customized and on-site training is available.

Expert instructors present an array of technical certification programs for professionals. Each brings an in-depth knowledge of the topic, excellent communication skills, and experience in the real world.

Management & Leadership Institute

Programs in Continuing Education’s Management & Leadership Institute feature some of the latest research in management and supervisory training and are backed by Continuing Education’s history of more than fifty years of providing professional development in the areas of supervisory effectiveness and organizational leadership.

Recognizing that today’s leaders must be able to manage individual employees as well as the overall business, these programs are a comprehensive, personal, and professional development experience covering a range of management competencies, including public speaking and finance. Customized and on-site training is available.

Paralegal Studies

The Paralegal Studies Program is approved by the American Bar Association and is an outgrowth of Continuing Education’s paralegal course offerings begun in 1982. The program offers a non-credit certificate for individuals seeking careers as paralegals. A bachelor’s degree is recommended for admittance to the program, but students with 45 hours of college credit are eligible for admission. The program features evening classes and can be completed in one year. The courses are taught by attorneys, judges, and practicing paralegals.

A Notary Public Preparatory course is also offered by the paralegal program. This course prepares students to take the state notary public exam administered by the Secretary of State’s office.

Pre-College Programs

Pre-College Programs

Pre-college Programs conducts numerous programs for students in pre-kindergarten through high school. Offerings include major summer programs, such as Tiger Challenge, Tiger University, Residential Camps, and various year-round programs and courses such as ACT Prep, Science & Engineering Fairs, and Junior Science & Humanities Symposium.

Science & Engineering Fairs

The Louisiana Science & Engineering Fair and the Region VII Science & Engineering Fair are LSU-based educational programs that provide unique opportunities for public, private, and home school students in grades six through twelve. Through development and presentation of science and engineering projects, students enhance their abilities to make observations; ask questions regarding scientific phenomena; formulate ideas regarding the solution to a program; develop and carefully follow procedures related to finding an answer or solution to a problem; and effectively present their works to society. 

Personal Enrichment Programs

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at LSU

The first and only Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Louisiana, OLLI at LSU is a member-directed educational organization for persons 50 years and older. The program has over 1,300 members and last year conducted over 230 courses attracting more than 4,100 participants.

OLLI at LSU is affiliated with The Bernard Osher Foundation and is part of a network of 117 institutes located on university and college campuses throughout all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Funding provided by the Foundation supports educational programs for people over 50–many of whom are entering retirement–providing them with the opportunity to explore new topics, update useful skills, discuss current events, and actively engage with peers from all walks of life.

Non-credit courses include such topics as Spanish for Travelers, Southern Women Writers, Backstage at the Symphony, and Digital Photography, offered at convenient times and locations. Members attend courses as participants and also have opportunities to teach courses and serve on committees.

English Language & Orientation Program

The English Language and Orientation Program (ELOP) offers English as a second language (ESL) training to international students. The goal of the program is to enable international students to master English, to meet academic, professional, or personal goals, and to facilitate their adjustment to the educational, social, and cultural life of the U.S.

Five eight-week basic courses are offered each year delivering a core curriculum of 20 hours per week in reading, grammar, composition, listening, and speaking. Levels are established by placement tests and range from elementary through advanced. Classes are taught by experienced ESL faculty.

Elective classes include TOEFL preparation, conversation, and English for business classes. ELOP students have access to the ELOP computer lab for listening comprehension classes, independent study, and computer learning applications, including TOEFL programs, text support, and pronunciation programs.

Admission to the English Language and Orientation Program neither signifies nor guarantees admission to LSU.