Faculty Member

Dr. Vickie Cook

Cost

Members: $459.00

Non-Members: $599.00

Description

What are the processes for identifying opportunities, developing evidence, determining goals, defining key milestones, establishing accountability, and measuring outcomes? How do you engage others in these processes? This course explores how strategy combines analysis and action.  Learning, planning, implementing, and reassessing permeate all levels of professional, continuing, and online education -- more so perhaps than in any other area of higher education. 

Topics Covered

• Approaches to planning and innovation 
• The impact of shared governance on decision-making
• Moving strategically toward the future
• The impact of data on decision-making 
• Evaluating Success 

Learning Objectives

• Recognize the impact of strategy, leadership, and implementation on an institution.
• Develop strategies that reflect effective approaches to internal and external constituents in the approach of a problem or innovation.
• Develop strategies for maintaining the role of being a learner in strategy for the future.
• Evaluate strategies for change and innovation.

Who should take this course? 

This four week course is designed for both the new PCO professional as well as those who have significant experience (3-5 years and beyond) who want to learn more about strategic planning, innovation, and decision-making. Over this four week course, participants will outline a problem they are facing and develop a change template that they can immediately apply to the challenges they are facing day to day. 

Format and Schedule

This is a four week course consisting of about five hours of weekly course work made up of readings, asynchronous activities, and a weekly one hour live class meeting via Zoom. Attendance in the live class is strongly encouraged. The class will met on the following schedule: 

• January 11 4:00 p.m. CT
• January 18 4:00 p.m. CT
• January 25 4:00 p.m. CT
• February 1 4:00 p.m. CT

See what past participants have said about this course

"This course is an exceptional resource for developing the skills you need to plan and implement a project or initiative within your organization. The step-by-step process and feedback are motivating and will help you develop a template and process to use at any point in your PCOE journey." 

-Allison Shaw, Research Analyst Sacramento State University 

"The class delivers completely on its objectives."

"Vickie's feedback was insightful, engaging, and challenging. She has an incredible personality and I loved learning from her and hearing how she engaged everyone in live sessions and in course feedback. An exception leader in PCO and a wonderful instructor for this course."

"I truly enjoyed this course as well as the assistance and confidence it provided me in creating the policy and procedure manual for my department."

"I would highly recommend this course to ALL campus leaders, even if not necessarily engaged with PCO education."

"The readings and activities were excellent and extremely relevant to the work I am doing."

"Dr. Cook was great. She made sure every voice was heard and kept the discussion lively."

"Vickie was great and I learned a lot from her. I would love to take a leadership course from her. I appreciated how she was able to engage us during our live session."

"Vickie was super - very knowledgeable, very responsive to questions, provided clear and useful feedback on assignments, and did a good job facilitating the live sessions."

Faculty Member

Dr. Vickie Cook

Cost

Members: $459.00

Non-Members: $599.00

Description

What are the processes for identifying opportunities, developing evidence, determining goals, defining key milestones, establishing accountability, and measuring outcomes? How do you engage others in these processes? This course explores how strategy combines analysis and action.  Learning, planning, implementing, and reassessing permeate all levels of professional, continuing, and online education -- more so perhaps than in any other area of higher education. 

Topics Covered

• Approaches to planning and innovation 
• The impact of shared governance on decision-making
• Moving strategically toward the future
• The impact of data on decision-making 
• Evaluating Success 

Learning Objectives

• Recognize the impact of strategy, leadership, and implementation on an institution.
• Develop strategies that reflect effective approaches to internal and external constituents in the approach of a problem or innovation.
• Develop strategies for maintaining the role of being a learner in strategy for the future.
• Evaluate strategies for change and innovation.

Who should take this course? 

This four week course is designed for both the new PCO professional as well as those who have significant experience (3-5 years and beyond) who want to learn more about strategic planning, innovation, and decision-making. Over this four week course, participants will outline a problem they are facing and develop a change template that they can immediately apply to the challenges they are facing day to day. 

Format and Schedule

This is a four week course consisting of about five hours of weekly course work made up of readings, asynchronous activities, and a weekly one hour live class meeting via Zoom. Attendance in the live class is strongly encouraged. Schedule for live meetings will be shared soon. 

See what past participants have said about this course

"This course is an exceptional resource for developing the skills you need to plan and implement a project or initiative within your organization. The step-by-step process and feedback are motivating and will help you develop a template and process to use at any point in your PCOE journey." 

-Allison Shaw, Research Analyst Sacramento State University 

"The class delivers completely on its objectives."

"Vickie's feedback was insightful, engaging, and challenging. She has an incredible personality and I loved learning from her and hearing how she engaged everyone in live sessions and in course feedback. An exception leader in PCO and a wonderful instructor for this course."

"I truly enjoyed this course as well as the assistance and confidence it provided me in creating the policy and procedure manual for my department."

"I would highly recommend this course to ALL campus leaders, even if not necessarily engaged with PCO education."

"The readings and activities were excellent and extremely relevant to the work I am doing."

"Dr. Cook was great. She made sure every voice was heard and kept the discussion lively."

"Vickie was great and I learned a lot from her. I would love to take a leadership course from her. I appreciated how she was able to engage us during our live session."

"Vickie was super - very knowledgeable, very responsive to questions, provided clear and useful feedback on assignments, and did a good job facilitating the live sessions."

Faculty Member

Stacy Chiaramonte 

Cost

UPCEA Members: $459

Non-Members: $599

Description

PCO units have long been the leaders championing the development and implementation of innovative educational programs designed to meet the needs of a non-traditional learner.   In recent years, new forms of credentialing – micro-credentials, certificates, digital badges, among other designations – have emerged as new measures of educational attainment.  These credentials have become far more common in universities and in other sectors of American society.  This course delves into the role PCO units play in alternative credentials, from evaluating program opportunities to the design, implementation, quality assurance, and administration of these credentials.  How should non-degree credentials be created and run with integrity, clarity in the market, and compatibility within the traditional aspects of the university?  This pragmatic course will explore opportunities and obstacles in developing and delivering alternative credentials.  

Topics Covered

• Current trends in the market for alternative credentials.  What is driving demand for these credentials?
• Creating the right programs for your institution, including partnerships with external stakeholders. 
• Building the infrastructure at your institution to support these credentials, including institutional standards, student services, and faculty buy-in.
• Marketing and delivering credential programs.
• What does the future hold for alternative credentials?  How can PCO units better contribute to lifelong learning, personal and professional growth, workforce development, and social equity? 

 Learning Objectives

• Gain an understanding of the alternative credentials landscape and PCO units’ role in developing this programming.
• Evaluate the opportunities for your institution.  Identify the target audience and types of programming that align best – the who, what and why for your university.  Determine which programs should be credit-bearing, and investigate stackability for these credentials. 
• Build support for these programs with your leadership and faculty - what are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of programming and how can it be integrated into the portfolio.
• Develop your university’s standards, policies and processes to ensure rigor and quality of credentials.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to successfully develop and launch alternative credential programs, including student record-keeping, access, funding, and support.
• Develop marketing and communication plans to drive enrollment.
• Plan for the future of this evolving landscape including accreditation, quality monitoring, program assessment, evaluation of future opportunities.

Who should take this course? 

New professionals will have an opportunity to explore the multifaceted process and hone in one the skills and knowledge they need immediately to be more effective in their roles. More seasoned professionals will be challenged to review their program planning approach and determine if they can refine or be more inclusive of different components covered in the course. 

 Format and Schedule

 This is a four week course consisting of about five hours of weekly coursework made up of readings, asynchronous activities, and a weekly one hour live class meeting via Zoom. The schedule for the weekly meetings will be shared soon.

Faculty Member

Dr. Gary Matkin

Cost

Members: $459.00

Non-Members: $599.00

Description

How do those in professional, continuing, and online education analyze opportunities, project revenue and expenses, identify prudent ways to manage resources, monitor cash flow, and mitigate financial disaster? How do you measure success and respond to failure, reallocate resources, and determine new investment opportunities? Those in PCO often operate as a stand-alone business by relying on revenue to support operating costs, and depending on forecasting, cash flow, and agile pivoting to new strategies.

Topics Covered

• Resource Allocation and Budgeting Basics
• Forecasting 
• Creating a Program Business Plan 
• Evaluating Partnerships 

Learning Objectives

• Differentiate between resource allocation and resource generation budgeting and analyze the implications for CE organizations
• Create a course budget and financial statement
• Create alternative future scenarios
• Understand and evaluate opportunity costs
• Distinguish between development and delivery costs and understand amortization
• Articulate the value proposition of both partners of the partnership
• Anticipate and mitigate the common barriers in forming partnerships

Who should take this course? 

This course is designed for learners at various professional levels, particularly those who have some experience in PCO education administration who seek to learn more about financial forecasting and creating budgets at the course, program, and departmental level. 

Format and Schedule

This is a four week course consisting of about five hours of weekly course work made up of readings, asynchronous activities, and a weekly one hour live class meeting via Zoom. The schedule for the weekly meetings will be shared soon. 

See what past participants have said about this course 

"I greatly appreciate all the resources you provided in our course: the readings, lectures, and discussion prompts were excellent."

"Dr. Matkin was welcoming to all participants. He was intentional about using our names and making connections between what we had each written or said the prior week with our contributions this week. Most importantly, he met each of us "where we are," whether a PCO leader who is very comfortable with budgets or a leader who is new to the financial aspects of their role. I appreciated the respect he demonstrated to each of us by doing so."

"The examples of budgets and program planning were so beneficial to me. The readings for course budgeting were insightful and helpful too!"

"Overall, this course was exceptionally run and the material was relevant to the struggles we're facing right now. I speak for my colleagues in saying that we enjoyed this course so much, we are sending 3 additional people to the course."

"Gary is so knowledgeable about this field and provided valuable practical tools and templates. The course was focused, with clear learning objectives and assignments that aligned to those objectives."

"I have been asking for this the contents of this very course for 5 years and couldn't find anything remotely relevant. Thank you for this! His book is now my bible."

"Gary was incredibly knowledgeable and could address every facet of developing a PCO."

"I will be sending my program leads to this class next time around in February."

"I thought the content was very good. I learned some new things and validated my thinking on others."

"A wealth of knowledge. His book is a great tool to keep. Resources provided were top notch. Answered all questions."

Faculty Member

Jim Fong

Cost

Members: $459.00

Non-Members: $599.00

Description

How are new and changing markets identified? How are programs - in both content and format - developed to meet the needs of learners?  How can data analysis help shape ongoing understanding of markets?  This course will explore the processes and operations that convert markets into enrollments.

Topics Covered

• Understanding markets in a higher education environment
• Understanding markets and research 
• The enrollment management process
• Professional, Continuing, and Online (PCO) marketing in the modern world

Learning Objectives

• Identify and contrast how decisions are made regarding programming, marketing and enrollments
• Understand the tools of market research in the new program development process
• Walk through scenarios of how information can help enhance the program development, marketing, and the enrollment management process
• Gain an understanding of PCO marketing structure
• Integrate information into marketing and enrollment management for a new generation.

Who should take this course? 

This course is designed for early and mid-career PCO professionals, especially those who work in program development, marketing, and enrollment management who seek practical and applicable knowledge on the best ways to market their programs and understand PCO marketing in the modern world. 

Format and Schedule

This is a four week course consisting of about five hours of weekly course work made up of readings, asynchronous activities, and a weekly one hour live class meeting via Zoom. The schedule for the weekly meetings will be shared soon. 

See what past participants have said about this course: 

"The "Markets, Marketing, and Managing the Cycle from Prospects to Learners" course was extremely informative and directly helpful in my own program planning. Anyone involved in overseeing a continuing education and professional programs unit will benefit by the readings and group discussions. The resources are great and may produce innovative ideas on how you can improve continuing education at your institution." James McGowan, Adelphi University

"The content of the course is so vital to the success of PCO units."

"The course provided great context for the challenges I am facing in my day-to-day work. I learned from the assignments and stories that peers shared in the course. I also realized what a shared challenge it is to be an effective, data-driven marketer in this evolving continuing education market." Jennifer Pittman, Interim Marketing Director, UCSC Silicon Valley Extension

"Whether you're new to marketing and managing the funnel or a seasoned pro, this course will provide you with new perspectives and allow you to build relationships with peers across the industry that will help advance your work, your institution, and the field."

"This was a great course. Well structured and very informative."

"Jim provided tremendous resources for a grounding in market research. The reports were very helpful for learning."

"Both the content and the interactions with other learners in this course helped me get a much better understanding of the PCO world and also challenged me to think about marketing in a more data driven way than I already did."

"Jim seems absolutely expert. He is great at facilitating group discussions and I feel lucky to have had such a wonderful teacher."

"Jim has a great wealth of knowledge and appreciate the expertise he shared with us in this courses, both during the live session as well as in the selection of readings and guest interviews."

"I really enjoyed the variety of learning through videos, content to read, presentations, and group work. I thought it was well organized and instructions were clearly defined. I think my favorite parts were learning from some the guest speaker videos. There was plenty of variety in the content that was very relevant to what I was hoping to receive."

"I really do appreciate Jim's hands-on experience, his research, and his style. He engaged us across a very varied background."

"I absolutely loved what I got from this course. The readings and other references like past UPCEA conference presentations were extremely valuable to me! The assignment was challenging and has got me thinking about research for program development in a whole new way!"

"Jim is clearly an industry leader."

"A genius in this area! I really do appreciate his hands-on experience, his research, and his style. He engaged us across a very varied background."

"I thought it was a great course all around - certainly for my needs. While I am very familiar with the marketing of continuing education and professional development, I was not as familiar with the PCO world. Both the content and the interactions with other learners in this course helped me get a much better understanding of the PCO world and also challenged me to think about marketing in a more data driven way than I already did."

Faculty Member

Dr. Amy Heitzman

Cost

Members: $459.00

Non-Members: $599.00

Description

What are the various ways universities organize and empower their units for professional, continuing, and online education?  What are some unique features and approaches within these entities, particularly in how they address the educational needs of adult learners? This course provides a broad understanding of the variety of roles and models for professional, continuing, and online education across the academic landscape -- and the issues and opportunities they face. This course also looks at internal organizational structures, skill sets, and staffing, and discusses professionalism and the role that UPCEA plays in networking and educating those in this domain.

Topics Covered

• Benefits and challenges of various professional, continuing, and online education models
• The history of continuing education  
• Analyzing online education at your institution
• Federal regulations and accreditation 

Learning Objectives

• Differentiate between different structures and reporting homes for units of professional and continuing education.
• Identify and discuss the benefits and challenges of various PCO models.
• Reflect on the history of continuing education.
• Identify key considerations for developing new programs.
• Identify internal and external regulators in higher education.
• Recognize the direct causal connections between federal regulations, accreditation, and institutional
  culture.

Who should take this course?

This course is designed for new and mid-career PCO professionals, who seek a deeper understanding of the history of professional, continuing, and online education and it's place within the higher education landscape. 

Format and Schedule

This is a four week course consisting of about five hours of weekly course work made up of readings, asynchronous activities, and a weekly one hour live class meeting via Zoom. The schedule for the weekly meetings is below: 

Tuesday, May 16, 2:00-3:00 PM ET: Welcome, Course Introduction
Tuesday, May 23, 2:00-3:00 PM ET Week 1
Tuesday, May 30, 2:00-3:00 PM ET: Week 2
Tuesday, June 6, 2:00-3:00 PM ET: Week 3
Friday, June 16, 2:00-3:00 PM ET: Week 4 and Course Wrap Up 

See what past participants have said about this course: 

"This class should be required for any person entering the PCO division for the first time. I wish I had taken this class five years ago when I first started working in this sector."

"The value of the connections, information sharing and perspectives of peers has been invaluable."

"This course was incredibly helpful in leading me through the history of PCO and how that looks at my institution and gave me some incredible insight into some of the ways I could be working toward positioning myself for a leadership role."

"Great experience and perspectives on topics we are all dealing with. I really enjoyed his interviews with other Dean's that we watched early on in the course."

"I very much enjoyed the conversations among so many great colleagues sharing their experiences. This is very helpful to me knowing what others are doing, brainstorming with them, and sharing experiences, both good and bad, and how we can improve those that didn't work for us. Thank you so much for letting me be part of this wonderful educational experience!"

"The course provided a solid overview of the PCO field. The best part of the course content was the set of interviews with current and former leaders of PCO units. The interviewees were engaging, thoughtful, refreshingly candid, and, in the case of Dr. Wingard, inspiring. I was pleased to see that there was some diversity in both the interviewees and the organizational structures and universities they represented."

"The Dean at my institution asked me my opinion about the courses. I spoke highly of the curriculum and instructors. He said he wished more of my colleagues would give them a try."

"The content was excellent. I especially liked how each module focused on a different aspect, bringing together understanding the adult learner from a variety of aspects such as motivations, marketing, and content."

"I appreciated the discussion board more than I thought I would. It was great to hear other people's experience and view points of how the topic applied at their institution. I learned a lot from others in this course."

"The overall topics covered and cadence of the course was great. I know there is a lot but I enjoyed how we touched on everything and the rich resources were available to dive deeper."

Faculty Member 

Angie Kamath, Dean at NYU School of Professional Studies

Cost

Members: $459.00

Non-Members: $599.00

Description: 

This course will explore pragmatic approaches to the opportunities and considerations for PCO units in developing and implementing programming, specifically focused on meeting the diversity, equity and inclusion goals of their institutions and communities. We will take a comparative and national perspective on underserved populations and ways their higher education needs can be addressed. Higher education institutions play a critical role at the nexus of career exploration, upskilling, apprenticeship, and credentialing needs of communities through professional, continuing, and online education. We will examine the role that PCO units and their faculty and staff play in creating initiatives  that serve a double bottom line. Students will share their unique perspectives and learn from one another on  program design, marketing, content strategy, and partner engagement. 

Topics Covered

• Determining key priorities and metrics to align equity and inclusion goals of the academic institution with PCO strategy
• Maximizing community and stakeholder engagement in planning and identifying opportunities
• Developing research strategies on target market and potential student demographics
• Balancing revenue pressures with mission
• Communicating successes thoughtfully and inclusively 

 Learning Objectives

• Assess social/community perspectives important and unique to learners’ institutions  
• Assess, develop, and build programs responsive to underrepresented groups and their education/training needs
• Develop plans for student outreach and educational experiences sensitive to costs, scheduling flexibility, and accessibility
• Identify implementation strategies for PCO units for managing a diverse classroom, student orientation and advising, communications, fundraising, and partnerships.

Who should take this course? 

This course is designed for early-to-mid career higher education administrators, particularly those in professional, continuing, and online education units who seek a deeper understanding of  the responsibilities and opportunities to diversify a PCO enterprise and programs for students of all ages. 

Format and Schedule

This is a four week course consisting of approximately five hours of weekly coursework made up of readings, asynchronous activities, and a weekly one hour live class meeting via Zoom. Meetings will be on Wednesday afternoons from 2:00-3:00 ET. The first meeting will be Wednesday November 8, 2023 at 2:00PM ET. 

Faculty Member

Julie Uranis, Ph.D.

Cost

Members: $459.00

Non-Members: $599.00

Description

Possessing a solid understanding of the program planning process is critical for a PCO professional, particularly for those involved in the development, design, and delivery of opportunities for diverse learners. 

Program planning is exciting, complicated, and dependent on the contexts and variables that exist at an institution. This course provides essential background on the process of program planning, good sources of information to guide essential elements in the process, and perspectives PCO professionals should consider when planning programs. 

As a learning community, participants will have an opportunity to explore program planning, collaborate and share perspectives, and will be encouraged to create a non-mandatory program plan of their own with the goal of developing a better sense of the considerations necessary to build a successful and sustainable program.

Because a program can be any learning experience we create intentionally for a specific target population, participants can apply the information in this course to short (non-credit) programs, such as a one hour lecture, or lengthier (degree) programs regardless of the credential received by learners. This course explores the consistent attributes needed for all programs: the existence of learning outcomes/impact on learners as well as the ability to assess and evaluate the programs offered by a PCO unit. Because program planning is the act of developing ideas, working through the logistics of a program, and a systematic means of determining the initial viability of a program, this course can provide insights in all areas of a PCO enterprise.

Topics Covered

• Internal and external resources necessary to develop programs
• Key stakeholders in the program planning process
• Operational and curricular components to PCO programs
• The centrality of the learner and learner needs in the design of programs

Learning Objectives

• Achieve an understanding of how programs are planned, executed, and evaluated relevant to the PCO enterprise and initiatives
  • Assessing, managing, and advocating for resources
  • Collaborating with internal and external partners
  • Assessing and evaluating performance
• Become familiar with curriculum design, sourcing, and revisions inclusive of learning strategies and theories delivering instruction and supporting programmatic outcomes and objectives for PCO programs
  • Designing curriculum and credentials
  • Detailing operational components of programs
• Become more socially perceptive and ready to facilitate diverse, inclusive, and culturally sensitive PCO working and learning environments
  • Identifying program ideas and responding to the needs of learners

Who should take this course? 

This four week course is designed for both the new PCO professional as well as those who have significant experience (3-5 years and beyond) planning credit and non-credit learning experiences. New professionals will have an opportunity to explore the multifaceted process and hone in one the skills and knowledge they need immediately to be more effective in their roles. More seasoned professionals will be challenged to review their program planning approach and determine if they can refine or be more inclusive of different components covered in the course. 

Format and Schedule

This is a four week course consisting of about five hours of weekly course work made up of readings, asynchronous activities, and a weekly one hour live class meeting via Zoom. The class will meet on the following schedule: 

• Wednesday August 16 1:00-2:00PM ET: Welcome and Course Overview
• Wednesday August 23 1:00-2:00PM ET: Week 1 Discussion
• Wednesday August 30 1:00-2:00PM ET: Week 2 Discussion
• Wednesday September 6 1:00-2:00PM ET: Week 3 Discussion
• Wednesday September 13 1:00-2:00PM ET: Week 4 Discussion and Course Wrap-Up

See what past participants have said about this course: 

"The course content and materials, assigned readings, weekly discussions, were extremely relevant. I liked how the discussions were assigned and scheduled. I learned so much in such a short period of time. I am making significant contributions to my PCO unit because of what I learned from this course."

"This course provided relevant and helpful information in a user-friendly format, which allowed for a variety of participants to engage in a variety of ways at their convenience. The discussions were thoughtful and I really enjoyed gaining perspectives from professionals and practitioners from all over the country. This was my first UPCEA course, and I look forward to future opportunities to enroll in other UPCEA courses."  R Katherine Samford, GA Institute of Technology

"Julie was great. She has such a positive, energetic demeaner and it was fun learning from her. She engaged the group well."

"This was the fourth PCO course that I have taken with UPCEA. What a delight it was to see that this course was designed as a truly online course by an experienced ID! I appreciated the mix of content, the clear identification of required and supplemental readings, the "TLDR" summaries (even though I always read all of the materials), and the optional "challenge" activities."

"I just want to say, Julia Uranis is a national treasure. Her energy and accessibility made this course. Thank you!"

"The scope of the course was great-- I was able to understand the broad, overarching principles of program planning, then it also zoomed in and covered some of the details of each topic. I appreciated that the course didn't require too much prior knowledge about program planning, and that the readings and resources were approachable and informative. I enjoyed the interaction with my peers, and the course was well organized and easy to navigate."

"All the content was very beneficial. Plus I enjoy being able to discuss our unique situations during the live class versus going back over everything we just read or studied."

"Julie was friendly, engaging, and had both a sense of humor and realistic expectations about pacing/workload. During the weekly synchronous Zoom sessions, Julie consistently and deliberately referred to a range of participants by name and their comments in the asynchronous discussion threads, inviting them to elaborate on their thoughts. This made a larger class seem more intimate and was a thoughtful way to signal that Julie had read our contributions to discussion threads."

"This was my first UPCEA course, and it was an eye opener for me. Although I have many years of experience as a college-level instructor for both face-to-face and online courses, I have not been a student for almost 40 years. I think I will always prefer in-person situations in education, but I know that online instruction is an ever-expanding industry, especially in the last couple of years with COVID. It is good to know that the experience continues to improve over time.  Well done UPCEA!"

"Julie was a great instructor. It was helpful to hear about her personal experiences and challenges in program planning."

"This course really helped me to contextualize and frame best practices in program planning, some things I already do and others that were new to me."

"Julie was excellent: very welcoming and engaging. She had fantastic examples and could speak to a range of experiences with expertise. The course included excellent resources and thoughtfully prepared lectures."

"I really liked Julie. She was very personable and ensured that she was inclusive of all experience levels from seasoned veterans to newcomers to program planning (me). It was much appreciated."

Faculty Member

Kevin Currie

Cost

$459.00 - Members

$599.00 - Non-Members

Description

How are new opportunities identified and implemented?  How do professional, continuing, and online professionals succeed in a competitive and ever changing environment? More than any other academic unit, the professional, continuing, and online enterprise is responsive, agile, risk-taking, and innovative -- all qualities of entrepreneurs, but within the realities and constraints of complex institutions. This course will explore how to navigate and innovate within a dynamic environment. 

Hear more about this course from facilitator Kevin Currie as he shares some key takeaways, for whom it will be most beneficial and why he is excited to be a part of it in this short video. 

Topics Covered

• Defining Entrepreneurship in PCO Units
• Entrepreneurship in a Team Environment
• Risk Taking and Mitigation
• External Considerations in Creative Program Development

Learning Objectives 

• Define innovation in entrepreneurship in the context of higher education 
• Examine how PCO units have been leaders in innovation and entrepreneurship 
• Understand how individuals function as a team in a nimble organizational structure 
• Identify how risks are determined 
• Balance risk-taking and risk-aversion
• Assess academic and business goals 

Additional Benefits of this Course

Part of the emphasis of this course is to encourage participants to become PCO experts within their institution.  Having the confidence to make and sometimes defend decisions is extremely important for the effective and successful management of a PCO unit.  This course provides attendees an introduction to some of the tools available that will assist them in this endeavor. Participants are exposed to many of the free research-based resources available to them that will assist in their decision-making process for areas such as marketing, program selection, outsourcing, and organizational structure.  In addition, current “entrepreneurial” events in higher education are presented and discussed in the live classes and discussion boards.

Who should take this course?

This course is designed for higher education administrators in professional, continuing, and online education units who seek to learn about how PCO units can be responsive, risk-taking and innovative. This course has been especially helpful for those individuals who have transferred into a PCO unit from elsewhere within their institution, transitioned into a new position within the unit (i.e., marketing to program management), or are participating in the revamping of a PCO unit. 

Format and Schedule

This is a four week course consisting of about five hours of weekly course work made up of readings, asynchronous activities, and a weekly one hour live class meeting via Zoom. The schedule for the live class meetings will be shared soon. 

See what past participants have said about this course: 

"The instructor was super informed and current on every topic for discussion. Always had insight that was helpful and pertinent to what everyone is dealing with in higher ed." 

"I really liked the shortened length (4-5 weeks), and the standard structure. I appreciated having readings gathered for me so I didn't have to search for them. I liked being able to participate in live sessions."

"Professor was excellent. Readings were very relevant and spot on to the very topics we are handling currently in our unit."

"The content was right on target, I learned and enjoyed what I learned. The assignments were thoughtful but not overly taxing."

"I found the instructor to be very knowledgeable about the subject matter and appreciated the current events he tied into the course. Plus, I appreciated him being willing to engage in conversation that was directly related to our own work rather than force his planned presentation."

"Kevin was so wonderful and his feedback in the discussions and in general were so insightful and helpful. I really appreciated learning from him and how accessible he made the course."

"I really appreciated that there was a script to follow for the pre-recorded videos (it made the class much more accessible), and it was well-oiled for asynchronous work, which is the way I needed to participate in this class. The readings were also relevant and really helpful in learning the material for this course."

"Very well structured. I really appreciated live classes being recorded, since I also have a child at home due to the pandemic."

"Dr. Currie did a wonderful job organizing the topics and course content. I also appreciated him emailing the class additional material surrounding the week's topic."

"I loved being able to participate in a live discussion, and Kevin was skillful in pulling people into conversation and providing direction."

"Kevin did an outstanding job organizing and outlining the course. Content was relevant and beneficial."

"A sage! I felt lucky to learn from this expert."

Faculty Member

Andy Atzert

Cost 

Members: $459 

Non-Members: $599

Description

Who are the constituents and stakeholders that compose the ecosystem of Professional, Continuing, and Online Education? What are the unique characteristics and educational needs of adult learners?   How do the characteristics of the student market determine how programs are designed and delivered?

This course examines prospective student markets and how to address their educational needs.  This course also examines the roles of employers, communities, and government agencies in creating educational opportunities. 

Topics Covered 

• Professional, Continuing, and Online Education (PCO) audiences 
• Characteristics, motivations, and learning barriers of adult learners
• Trends in adult learner enrollment
• Program planning for PCO audiences
• Online learners and alternative credentials 

Learning Objectives

• Identify different potential audiences for PCO programs.
• Describe trends in adult student enrollments and sources of data.
• Explain the unique characteristics and learning needs of adult learners, including motivation and barriers.
• Explain ways to learn more about and recruit prospective PCO audiences.
• Describe program features and services needed to accommodate adult learners.
• Demonstrate an understanding of online learners.
• Explain and give examples of alternative credentials for adults and other groups that offer educational opportunities for adults

Who should take this course? 

This course is designed for professionals at various levels, particularly those who have some experience in PCO education administration who seek to learn more about working with adult and online audiences. 

Format and Schedule

This is a four week course consisting of about five hours of weekly course work made up of readings, asynchronous activities, and a weekly one hour live class meeting via Zoom on the dates below: 

• Monday June 26th, 3:30-4:30 ET: Welcome and Course Overview 
• Monday July 3, 3:30-4:30 ET: Week 1 
• Monday July 10, 3:30-4:30 ET: Week 2 
• Monday July 17, 3:30-4:30 ET: Week 3 
• Monday July 24, 3:30-4:30 ET: Week 4 and Course Wrap-Up 

See what past participants have to say about this course: 

"It was great. Every PCO employee should jump on this one."

"The course content provided relevant information that is applicable and relatable in the current PCO environment. I found the readings and articles especially helpful in understanding potential avenues that my own PCO unit can explore to navigate these unknown times."

"Excellent content, well-paced and engaging 'live' meetings, meaningful discussion topics, applicable culminating assignment."

"Barbara was great. She engaged with the different stages of colleagues at the various career stages and within different departments"