The mission of the Division of Continuing Education is to provide quality, innovative, lifelong learning opportunities to a diverse student population by extending the educational resources of the University of Colorado Boulder. A variety of credit courses, noncredit programs, certificate programs, and seminars is offered though Continuing Education, which also administers CU-Boulder’s Summer Session. Only university-approved faculty teach in Continuing Education programs.
The office is located at 1505 University Avenue in Boulder, 303-492-5148 (or 1-800-331-2801). The fax number is 303-492-5335, and the website is conted.colorado.edu.
Offered in conjunction with CU-Boulder’s academic departments, the Boulder Evening Program provides credit courses in the evening on the Boulder campus. These affordable, smaller-sized classes are provided through various departments including anthropology, communication, economics, English, film studies, art and art history, geography, mathematics, philosophy, psychology, sociology, Spanish, theatre, and more.
The Independent Learning Program offers online courses representing and approved by more than 20 departments on campus. Term-based courses follow a traditional semester schedule and allow for rich interaction with the instructor and other classmates. Self-paced courses offer students the flexibility of progressing through the course at their own pace, and to finish in less than a full semester or take up to six months.
The Applied Music Program offers students the opportunity to earn CU credit for beginning or continuing music lessons on guitar, piano, voice, organ, winds, brass, drums, percussion, or strings. Instruction is available in individual or group sessions depending on instrument.
Individualized Instruction provides an opportunity for students to receive credit for university courses by meeting with faculty members outside the regular classroom setting. This option may be used when the student cannot reasonably be expected to enroll in the main campus course.
CAETE, a partnership between the College of Engineering and Applied Science and the Division of Continuing Education, serves as the distance learning and professional studies arm of the college. CAETE provides graduate engineering and technical education and professional development for practicing engineers and managers of technology. Course sequences may lead to a master’s degree in aerospace engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, engineering management, or telecommunications. Elective courses are also offered in civil/environmental and mechanical engineering. Graduate certificates and short courses are available in some fields. CAETE also provides ongoing access to over 100 pre-recorded courses via its virtual library. These courses are available for academic course work, rental, or purchase by companies for in-house training.
In conjunction with CU-Boulder academic departments, ACCESS (Available Credit Courses for Eligible Special Students) enables nondegree students to enroll in Boulder main campus undergraduate and graduate credit courses after most degree-seeking students have registered. Colorado high school juniors and seniors interested in the challenge of university course work may enroll in ACCESS as part of the High School Concurrent Program. In addition to earning college credit, students may also earn credit toward high school graduation requirements.
Through Continuing Education, academic departments can offer special courses that target audiences both on and off campus and provide academic credit for those offerings. Once a course proposal is submitted, Continuing Education coordinates the approval process and provides administrative support to the course initiator. Programs initiated from outside the university community may be considered for approval as well as noncredit and certificate programs.
The goal of CU Complete is to assist former students in the completion of degrees they began at CU in the past. Advisors work with each student individually and offer a degree analysis, recommendations, resources, and assistance in completing remaining requirements.
Science Discovery is a hands-on science, mathematics, and technology outreach program that serves over 1,500 teachers and 25,000 K–12 students each year. Its mission is to stimulate scientific interest, understanding, and literacy through the use of university resources and academic expertise. Core programs include over 500 annual classroom presentations throughout Colorado; approximately 200 summer and after-school classes for ages 4–14; a series of statewide professional development workshops for teachers; and various outdoor environmental education classes.
The International English Center (IEC) offers language learning, cultural adjustment, and academic preparation programs for international students planning to matriculate at universities and for members of the campus and local community with limited English proficiency. The IEC also contracts with corporate groups to provide language training and professional development courses.
Extending educational opportunities to the citizens of Colorado is a vital part of the university as well as the mission of the Division of Continuing Education. CU-Boulder faculty and students provide a wide variety of outreach programs to communities across Colorado. These programs extend the scholarship of the faculty and the educational resources of the university and serve various educational, social, economic, and cultural needs. The division annually supports these efforts by designating funds for the CU-Boulder Outreach Committee along with contributions from the offices of the chancellor and the provost. The committee awards funding to faculty projects designed specifically for external audiences that highlight faculty research, creative work, and teaching. Projects feature an extensive range of disciplines, including everything from history, dance, and musical arts to physics, math, and engineering.
Summer Session offers over 500 campus courses and enrolls about 8,000 students in a relaxed, comfortable learning environment. Online and on-campus courses are available to students who wish to enhance or accelerate their academic progress. Courses are also open to students visiting from other colleges, teachers, high school students, or others interested in pursuing their professional development or enrichment.
Maymester is a special three-week Summer Session term immediately following the end of spring semester. It provides intense, accelerated courses for those who need academic credits in an abbreviated time period.