Professional and Continuing Education launches variety of live online courses

April 22, 2020

As Americans continue to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Office of Professional and Continuing Education (PCE) aims to deliver courses tailored to the online environment. And in that same vein, many of PCE's professional development courses have moved to a live online format.

PCE has added leadership and management courses that specifically address employees working from home: managing the virtual workplace, secrets of change management, and customer service in a web-based world.

"Real-time instruction through one's computer, tablet or even smartphone allows for the student-and-instructor interaction of a traditional classroom while keeping participants safe at home," said Dr. Wendy Estes, director of PCE.

PCE also will offer project management bootcamp, Six Sigma Greenbelt and its human resources certificate program live online in April and May.

PCE transitioned all healthcare career certificate programs that started earlier this winter to the live online format and will add more opportunities for its clinical medical assistant, EKG technician, and medical administrative assistant programs in late May.

PCE will offer its full slate of photography classes live online, including Photo 1, 2, and 3; wedding photography; and black and white photography. PCE anticipates adding American Sign Language, Spanish, and other popular courses to its distance learning program offerings throughout the summer.

"Staying productive while at home is a great way to keep a positive mindset," Estes said. "Using this time to explore interests and hobbies can make the most of this situation."

While live online courses are taught by PCE's existing instructors, PCE also offers hundreds of instructor-led online programs for those seeking a new career or skill or for personal enrichment. Instructors who are experts in their field guide the online instruction, give assignments and answer questions.

While these courses are not live, they allow students the flexibility to learn at times most convenient for them. These courses have been especially popular for teachers seeking professional learning units and for those entering the cybersecurity and IT fields.