Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education increases access to the services and resources of The University of Iowa. In partnership with the University's colleges and departments, the division provides high-quality credit and noncredit courses, workshops, and programs to traditional and nontraditional learners. Using a variety of locations, schedules, and technologies, including audiovisual and video services, the division helps provide a University of Iowa learning environment beyond the physical borders of campus.

The division's organization and services include the following.

Center for Conferences

The Center for Conferences is the University's principal agency for initiating, coordinating, conducting, and supporting noncredit continuing education programs. It also serves as the University of Iowa's Continuing Education Unit (CEU) database.

The center coordinates conferences for University faculty, departments, colleges, administrative units, student groups and related academic societies, professional associations, and other groups sponsored by the University.  It provides logistical management and administration of conferences; program content is designed by the unit presenting the conference.  The center also manages national and international programs for University faculty members and departments.

The conference center uses facilities on the University of Iowa campus as well as facilities located in Iowa City and Coralville, statewide, and nationwide. For more information, visit the Center for Conferences and Institutes web site.

Center for Credit Programs

The Center for Credit Programs works with University of Iowa colleges and academic departments to offer for-credit courses in a variety of formats and schedules. Courses are offered on and off campus; formats include distance education and independent study. Courses may be open to University of Iowa students and to persons not formally admitted to a degree program. For more information, contact the Center for Credit Programs or visit its web site.

Saturday & Evening Classes

The Center for Credit Programs sponsors University courses on campus at times convenient for part-time or nontraditional students. Undergraduate and graduate course work is available in a wide range of academic disciplines. For more information, contact the Center for Credit Programs.

Summer and Winter Sessions

The University of Iowa conducts a summer session through the Center for Credit Programs with terms of three, six, and eight weeks. Classes also are offered outside these normal summer session terms. A three-week winter session is offered during the break between the fall and spring semesters.

During the summer and winter sessions, students can take undergraduate and graduate course work. Classes during these sessions are taught mainly by University of Iowa faculty members, so students receive the same first-rate instruction provided during the spring and fall semesters. Courses are offered in a variety of formats both on and off campus. They are open to University of Iowa students and to persons not formally admitted to a degree program.

Distance Education Programs and Courses

The Center for Credit Programs sponsors courses via several distance education formats.

Guided Independent Study courses are available through some 40 University departments. For a catalog providing course listings (including courses offered via the World Wide Web), procedures, and enrollment information, contact the Center for Credit Programs or visit the Guided Independent Study web site.

University extension classes are scheduled where they best serve off-campus students, at the request of public school officials, and/or where professional, business, industrial, or other qualified groups express a need for instruction. The center also sponsors courses via the Iowa Communications Network, the Internet, and other technologies. For more information, contact the Center for Credit Programs or visit its web site.

Bachelor of Liberal Studies

The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (B.L.S.) is a baccalaureate degree offered by each of the three Board of Regents, State of Iowa universities (The University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa). It serves adults whose jobs, families, geographic locations, or other personal circumstances prevent them from attending college as full-time, on-campus students. The program does not have a campus residence requirement.

Students may earn credit toward the degree in courses offered through the Center for Credit Programs, via campus-based or distance education formats, or through daytime on-campus courses.

At The University of Iowa, the B.L.S. is awarded by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and administered by the Division of Continuing Education. For a more detailed program description, see Bachelor of Liberal Studies (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) in the Catalog or visit the Center for Credit Programs web site.

Bachelor of Applied Studies

The Bachelor of Applied Studies (B.A.S.) is a baccalaureate degree designed for nontraditional students who are graduates of community college technical programs and wish to complete a bachelor's degree without interrupting their careers. Applicants should have a minimum of three years of work experience.

Students may earn credit toward the degree in courses offered through the Center for Credit Programs, via campus-based or distance education formats, or in daytime on-campus courses.

At The University of Iowa, the B.A.S. is offered through University College and administered by the Division of Continuing Education. For a more detailed program description, see Bachelor of Applied Studies (University College) in the Catalog or visit the Center for Credit Programs web site.

Center for Media Production

The Center for Media Production provides professional services for development of media programs and materials that support the University's educational and promotional needs. It collaborates with University of Iowa faculty and staff members, offering consultation, planning, design, development, and marketing services. The center has received more than 40 major awards, including a regional Emmy, CINE Golden Eagles, and New York Festival World Medals.

The Center for Media Production provides the following services.

Video: The center designs and develops video programs and promotional messages and authors interactive media (DVD and CD-ROM). It offers film-style video production; digitizing of video for web use; video editing, special effects creation, electronic graphics, art, and animation; transfer of 16mm film to video; and videotape and DVD duplication, including conversion to or from world television standards.

Photography: The center's staff provides location photography and printing services for promotions, portraits, conferences, summer camps, University administrators, visiting dignitaries, University events, University construction projects, and more. In-house processing and printing is available for black-and-white images and for color digital images of all sizes. Copy photography services include copying and enhancement of rare negatives and photos. The center also maintains an extensive archive of University of Iowa historical photos.

Audio: The center offers a wide range of professional services, including audio recording on location or in a studio sound stage, editing and sound mixing, audio noise reduction, and duplication of audiotapes and CDs. Projects include instructional and exam materials, radio programs, video soundtracks, audio for web courses and applications, and recording and editing of student audition tapes and faculty solo performances.

Graphics: Artistic services are available for development of posters and portable displays; large permanent displays; web site enhancements; lamination, certificates, and maps; and creation of designs, calligraphy, illustrations, conference materials, and University signs. Each year, the graphics staff designs and builds the University's 1,200-square-foot Iowa State Fair exhibit. The center also offers portable display units for rent by traveling faculty and staff.

Media publishing and marketing: The center markets and distributes media products originated at the University. Royalties are paid to sponsoring University departments and authors.

Labor Center

The University of Iowa Labor Center provides educational and research services to Iowa trade unionists. The center offers a wide range of continuing and distance education programs on citizenship, collective bargaining, economics, globalization and human rights, grievance and arbitration, labor and employment law, labor history, organization building and strategic planning, union leadership and administration, public policy, workplace health and safety, worker participation, and other areas relevant to union members. Courses are offered both on and off campus at times and locations convenient to working adults. The Labor Center also provides research assistance and technical information.