Sharon E. Alexander, Dean
Mission
Continuing Education (CE) is the outreach arm of The University of Montana, and its mission reflects The University of Montana’s commitment to provide high quality, innovative outreach programs that serve the lifelong learning needs of the citizens of Montana and beyond. Continuing Education’s primary goal is to provide access to UM’s vast array of educational opportunities.
Credit, non-credit, grant-funded, sponsored and self-supporting programs are facilitated through two departments: Educational Outreach and Community and Professional Services. These departments work with academic units and external agencies for program development; write grant and contract proposals for external funding; offer focused training programs that contribute to the economic development of Montana; and use a variety of technologically assisted delivery formats. CE is funded by appropriated, self-support, sponsored and grants/contracts sources.
Continuing Education is located in the James E. Todd building, east of the University Center, and provides access to state-of-the-art technology in every room. In addition, CE provides conference and event planning, including equipment rental, technical support and logistical assistance. For more information, visit the website.
Educational Outreach
The Educational Outreach Department serves as an integral part of the instructional program of The University of Montana, offering credit courses and programs for individuals on- and off- campus through a variety of delivery methods. Educational Outreach is home to the following divisions: Extended Studies; Extended Degree Programs; UMOnline; Summer Semester and Wintersession. For Information, visit Educational Outreach.
Extended Studies offers academic courses in a variety of subjects throughout Montana and beyond. Educators and other professionals may find workshops to satisfy re-certification or professional development requirements and courses to fit individual needs. Visit Educational Outreach to view course schedules and program offerings.
Extended Degree Programs administers several UM offcampus degree programs at various locations around the state including the MBA program, the online MBA Foundation program; Education cohort programs at the Masters and Doctoral levels; and others. For mor information about online or off-campus degree programs and locations, visit Educational Outreach. UM Online courses are available to students both on- and off- campus at times and places convenient to the learner.
Degree programs, General Education courses and many other online courses are offered in cooperation with academic units, to students locally, throughout Montana, nationally and globally. Online degree programs include the Library Media Endorsement Program, the AAS in Surgical Technology, the Masters of Public Administration, and the Masters of Education in Curriculum Studies, and others. For more information and course schedules, visit UMOnline.
Summer Semester offers several options for traditional and non-traditional students throughout the summer months. Graduate and undergraduate courses are offered in more than 30 disciplines, along with workshops and seminars. For more information about Summer Semester, contact the Program Manager, Summer Programs, via e-mail at summer@mso.umt.edu or visit www.montanasummer.com.
Wintersession offers UM students an opportunity to earn up to 6 credits during the 3-week session in January. Credits earned during Wintersession count toward full-time Spring Semester status. For example, students registered for 3 credits during Wintersession and 9 credits during the Spring Semester are considered full-time students. Students registered fro 12 or more credits during the Spring Semester do not pay additional tuition for courses scheduled during Wintersession. Financial Aid applies to credits earned during Spring, including Wintersession. For more information, visit Continuing Education.
Community and Professional Services
The mission of the Community and Professional Services Department is to provide comprehensive credit and non-credit training opportunities to a broad spectrum of professional and community groups using a variety of delivery media. The Department is responsible for the development and implementation of programs that are outside the traditional education format and cover professional development, technical support, training, creative solutions, enhanced solutions and communications. Community and Professional Services is home to the following two divisions: Grants and Contracts; and Health and the Environment.
The Grants and Contracts Division is responsible for responding to Requests of Proposals; managing successful sponsored projects; project evaluations; and conducting grandwriting workshops for non-profit groups.
The Health and Environment division is responsible for providing training opportunities to health and human services professionals as well as those working with environmental issues related to natural resources, ecosystem management, fire, water, soil and air. Contact us on the internet at www.umt.edu/ce/cps/.