Continuing Education

Vision

As a leading university provider of educational outreach and engagement, the Vision of LSU Continuing Education is to be a national leader in continuing, professional, and higher education outreach and engagement.

Mission

The mission of LSU Continuing Education is to identify, create, and support lifelong learning opportunities through quality programs that address educational, professional, and economic development goals of individuals and organizations.

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 59 countries. From a world-class Management & Leadership Institute to programs designed for lifelong learners of all ages, LSU Continuing Education works to support, promote, and enhance LSU’s Strategic Plan 2025 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 regardless of where they are located. Distance Learning programs serve more than 4000 registrants annually from all over Louisiana, the U.S., and the world.

College-level distance learning courses are substantially the same in scope and content as those taught on campus, and are taught by members of the university faculty and qualified instructors. All courses are online, and no classroom attendance is required. Enrollment in a distance learning course may be made at any time, and students do not have to seek admission to the university. 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.

Professional Development

LSU Professional Development includes non-credit programs offering open enrollment courses, certificates, and custom training designed to increase skills and knowledge of individuals working in business, industry, government, and professional organizations. Course areas include:  business and management; computer and information technology, environmental and safety management; paralegal studies; and online courses.

Instructors include LSU faculty, industry experts, and practitioners who specialize in content areas and provide best practices and latest research. LSU Professional Development provides workforce development opportunities and training throughout the state of Louisiana.

Computer & Information Technology

LSU Computer & Information Technology provides non-credit training in computer operating systems, productivity software, programming languages, web development, SQL, 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

The Management & Leadership Institute features best practices and the latest research in management and supervisory training, 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 LSU Paralegal Studies Program grew out of Continuing Education’s paralegal courses offered beginning in 1982. The program provides a path to a rewarding career in law through a series of non-credit courses that can be completed in as little as one year. The program is the only noncredit certificate program in Louisiana approved for paralegals by the American Bar Association. Most students complete their bachelor’s degree before earning a paralegal certificate; however, students will be considered for admission if they have at least 45 hours of college credit, a 2.3 overall grade point average, and pass an entrance exam. Courses are offered at night to meet the needs of employed students, and feature small class size and instructors with real-world experience.

An online notary public preparatory course is also offered. 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 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. LSU also hosts residential courses for high-acheiving students in the Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP).

Science & Engineering Fairs

The Louisiana Science & Engineering Fair and the Region VII Science & Engineering Fair are LSU-hosted 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 1,100 members and last year conducted more than 245 courses.

OLLI at LSU is affiliated with The Bernard Osher Foundation and is part of a network of 120 institutes located on university and college campuses in nearly 300 cities and towns throughout the US, together comprising more than 151,000 members. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, or OLLI, offers non-credit educational programs specifically developed for adults 50 years and older; university connection and university support; robust volunteer leadership and sound organizational structure; and a diverse repertoire of intellectually stimulating courses.

Non-credit courses include such topics as Art History, Basic Yoga, Film Stories, Flicks & Food, French Conversation, Life Writing, Line Dancing, Passport to Italy, and Shakespeare, 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. 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.

Leisure & Arts Program

The Leisure & Arts Program offers students, faculty, staff, and community members a variety of avenues to express themselves through a wide range of Leisure Courses and in the Leisure Arts Studio located in the LSU Student Union. The goal of Leisure & Arts Program is to encourage participants to try something new, think out of the box, and engage in new forms of creative expression.

Leisure courses are noncredit, special interest courses. Courses vary in length and are typically scheduled on nights and weekends. Four terms are offered each year. Topics include language, cooking, arts and crafts, home and garden, and movement. Instruction is provided by LSU faculty, community experts, and local artisans. Members of the LSU community are eligible for a discount.