What is continuing education?

Education is an important part of everyoneís life. Most people study for a limited period of time and then settle for jobs
as per their qualification. When it comes to continuing education, there are very few people who give this important factor
a thought. 
Continuing education is all about pursuing post secondary learning activities and programs. There are several degree and
non-degree courses available these days for students who want to continue their education for various reasons. 

Has anyone ever told you that they are too old to go back to school and pursue continuing education? If so, you can tell
them that they are full of baloney! A 93 year-young woman was recently in the news for finally graduating from college. She
never gave up on her dream of continuing education and eventually succeeded in her goal, even though it took almost eighty
years to do it.

When interviewed by the media, she said that she was even thinking about going to graduate school (at 94 years old!) to
earn her Masterís Degree in education. If that is not motivational to you, nothing is.

The fact of the matter is that you are never too old to learn something new. Learning does not have to stop once you
graduate high school or college: it should keep going until you move on from this life. If you do not use it, you lose it. 
That is the case for your brain as well. Pursue continuing education and find that you have the capacity to learn something
new each day.

So, if you are ready to get starting on your continuing education path, start now. Even if you have to start slow, that is
better than doing nothing and letting your brain go to mush. Search on the World Wide Web for courses that interest you. 
They can be ones that require very little of your time, money and energy. However, if it will get you interested in learning,
it will be worth it.

Although many people may think of preparing for the GED as continuing education, technically, it's not. Continuing education
means progressing with your educational career after you've either received your high school diploma or you've received an
alternative GED certificate.

So what does continuing education include? Well, technical schools, college classes, and online classes to progress in your
career are examples of forms of continuing education. These classes and programs are intended to help you continue your
education after graduation.

Technical schools were created specifically to help adults progress beyond high school. These schools have programs that
help learners master the skills and technological expertise they need to secure good jobs. Also known as vocational
education, technical schools can train you for jobs such as an auto mechanic, a bookkeeper, or a cosmetologist.

Community colleges are a main source of continuing education classes. In addition to helping people work toward a degree, 
community colleges also offer programs such as nursing, respiratory therapy, and law enforcement. The community college
environment is perfect for people who want to advance in their current job or move on to a better job.

Many college campuses offer evening and Saturday classes just to make learning convenient for adult students. They also
have classes you can take online so that you will be able to make time for learning. Continuing education offerings at
these campuses range from complete programs to individual courses that can help you master new skills. Your local community
college is a wonderful place to look when you're considering continuing education options.

Naturally four-year colleges also offer continuing education classes. You can earn a degree at these colleges or simply
take additional classes to help you progress in your career. Many professionals find that returning to college to get
either a Bachelor's or Master's degree can really boost their career.

In additional to classes for degrees, colleges offer specialized classes that can help you master certain skills. For
instance, you can take classes that will help you learn specialized computer programs. You also can learn new skills and
talents, such as how to create multimedia presentations. More employers these days are encouraging their employees to
explore continuing education options. The more skills and talents you possess, the better chance you have of landing and
keeping a good job.

If you think you're too busy to take continuing education classes, think again. These days your options are practically
limitless. Not only can you find traditional classes, you can take online classes, use interactive DVD and online programs
to take a class, and even take teleclasses by watching your television. These new delivery methods make it easy for
practically everyone to find a class that is convenient.

To start your search for continuing education classes, first analyze your goals. Do you want to get a degree? Learn the
latest technology? Advance in your career? Decide what you want to accomplish, and then research your options. The Internet
contains a wealth of information about continuing education opportunities. With just a little effort, you're bound to find
the right opportunity for you.

Here are some of the post secondary learning activities available for the aspirants, these days:

a)    Degree credit courses by non-traditional students
b)    Not-degree career training
c)    Self-directed learning
d)    Experimental learning
e)    Workforce training
f)    Formal personal enrichment courses

If we talk about continuing education in general terms, it is equivalent to adult education. According to this term, the
aspirant already has got education and wants to pursue it for attaining additional knowledge. Literacy, primary education, 
language programs and vocational training are not included here. 

Continuing education in developed countries like the United States means getting further education from a reputed college
or university. This can be either through part time or full time depending upon the studentís will. The program is also
known as extension school or university. Enrolling oneself in non-credit granting courses in the US also means continuing
education. Community colleges offer these courses in US. 

In the year 1904, the University of Wisconsin pioneered academic institution in America. It offered continuing education
program. 

Professionals can also look forward to continue their education in order to enhance their caliber. Professional continuing
education can be defined as a learning process that results in obtaining a certificate by the certificate towards the end
of the course. The certificate is a document signifying the attendance of the candidate at a course of instruction. There
are several programs dedicated towards providing knowledge enhancement to professionals. 

These days, there are several ways to continue education. You can choose to sit at home and continue your studies via an
online program. You can also go for education program via part time or full time course. Most people prefer taking help of
distance education when it comes to continuing education. This is because they also want to work while studying.

Deciding to continue education is prudent. One must think of expanding oneís knowledge irrespective of oneís age or position.
Today, there is a great need of licensed education. This is because in many fields, the governing bodies prefer license, to
provide a specific line of work.

The main goal of these education programs is to provide a new horizon to provide a new horizon to professionals who want to
add up to their knowledge and grab new opportunities coming their way. Several institutions and reputed colleges offline
and online provide these courses to the aspirants.

Continuing education is no more a rare objective. Students and even professionals look forward to purse new and enhanced
course to add up to the knowledge to their line of work.