In addition to educating more than 50,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year on its Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick campuses, as well as off-campus locations, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, instructs nearly as many continuing education learners through programs on campus, online, at satellite facilities around New Jersey, and through partnerships with other higher education institutions.
Continuing education initiatives are coordinated by Rutgers' Division of Continuing Studies (DoCS) and dozens of academic schools and centers. Together, they provide distributed and lifelong access to Rutgers University through education, training, research, service, and knowledge transfer to communities throughout New Jersey and beyond.
During the past year:
- More than 194,000 individuals took advantage of Rutgers University continuing professional education and lifelong learning programs
- 2,700 continuing education courses and course sections were offered in locations across New Jersey.
- 180 credit-bearing courses were offered through off-campus programs, with more than 2,500 students enrolled.
- Of those enrolled, 8,000 were municipal employees receiving training through 18 separate government services programs, including more than 50 separate courses and 850 individual sessions.
CAREER ADVANCEMENT
A college degree is not the only vehicle for gaining credentials for a particular job. Increasingly, certificates and non-degree programs that equip individuals with specialized skills are gaining widespread ground in the education market. Rutgers University has responded with a broad scope of opportunities.
Continuing education students can pursue studies across a spectrum of academic subjects, such as:
Arts, Fine/Performing
- Accounting/Finance
- Administrative Skills
- Agriculture
- Basic Skills
- Business/Management
- Criminal Justice/Law/Public Safety
- Customer Service
- Education/Youth Development
- Environment/Green
- Government/Public Administration
- Healthcare
- Hospitality/Travel
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Landscaping/Gardening/Grounds Management
- Languages
- Library Science
- Public Health
- Sales/Marketing/Communication
- Science
- Social Work/Human Services
- Skilled Trades
- World Studies
- Writing - Business/Technical/Creative
Programs are offered through DoCS as well as schools and academic centers universitywide. Key continuing education units include, among others:
- Center for Advanced Information Processing
- Center for Continuing Professional Development
- Center for Executive Leadership in Government
- Center for Effective School Practices
- Center for Government Services
- Center for Management Development
- Confucius Institute at Rutgers University
- Department of English, School of Arts & Sciences
- Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy
- Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
- Executive Education at Rutgers School of Business-Camden
- Graduate School of Education
- iTV Studio
- Office of Continuing Professional Education
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
- Program in American Language Studies
- School of Communication and Information
- School of Public Affairs and Administration
- School of Social Work
- WPx Writing Program
DEGREE AND FOR-CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES
Rutgers University also offers flexible options for adult learners interested in completing a degree or pursuing a brand-new course of study. Highlights include:
The Rutgers Off-Campus degree program
Rutgers continues to demonstrate its commitment to serving the needs of New Jersey residents by providing access to exceptional academics through its community college partners. A variety of degree completion and graduate-level programs are offered at Brookdale Community College (Freehold campus), Atlantic Cape Community College (Mays Landing campus), and Raritan Valley Community College (North Branch campus).
Visiting Student Program
For those looking to take credit-bearing courses without enrolling in a degree program, DoCS’ Visiting Student program provides access to hundreds of classes across multiple disciplines. Visiting students study with matriculated Rutgers undergraduate and graduate students and are granted the use of the University’s resources. Registration, which opens the week before a course starts, is not guaranteed, is contingent on space availability and/or departmental approval, and in the case of some courses may require academic qualification.
Summer Session/Winter Session
As one of the largest programs of its kind in the nation – offering thousands of courses, research opportunities, and field placements offered at the New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden campuses – the Rutgers Summer Session offers high flexibility and a broad scope for busy schedules and diverse interests. The fast-paced Winter Session also is a great opportunity to pursue intensive, credit-bearing online, hybrid, or classroom courses.
* New Brunswick summer / winter
PURSUIT OF PERSONAL INTERESTS
Rutgers University’s continuing education opportunities also include a wide range of noncredit personal development offerings, for interests ranging from agriculture, to history and politics, to literature and creative writing, to performing and fine arts - and everything in between. Units with a notable emphasis on these types of programs include:
- Office of Continuing Professional Education
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
- School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
- WPx Writing Program
OPTIONS FOR UNEMPLOYED OR UNDEREMPLOYED RESIDENTS
Rutgers University offers hundreds of workforce development funding-approved courses and certificate programs that are carefully targeted to fields with predicted labor shortages or strong projected growth. Continuing education units with offerings in this area include:
- Center for Continuing Professional Development
- Center for Management Development
- Executive Education at Rutgers School of Business-Camden
- Office of Continuing Professional Education
- School of Communication and Information
- School of Social Work
PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS
Under the Post 9/11 GI Bill, noncredit courses now can be approved for education funding. Rutgers University has a growing number of classes and certification programs that are helping veterans learn new skills to advance their careers or launch new ones. DoCS oversees Rutgers Continuing Education Veteran Services [http://socialwork.rutgers.edu/ce]. Additionally:
- Rutgers Center for Management Development offers several approved Mini-MBA™ certificate programs.
- Rutgers Center for Continuing Professional Development runs a popular - and approved - Project Management Critical Skills Certification program.
- Executive Education at Rutgers School of Business-Camden offers two approved programs – an Online Certificate in Human Resources Management and an Online Certificate in Project Management and PMP Prep.
- The Office of Continuing Professional Education administers dozens of approved courses.
Media Contact: Sandra Lanman
732-932-6998, ext. 615
E-mail: slanman@docs.rutgers.edu