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Division of 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, the division helps provide a University of Iowa learning environment beyond the physical borders of campus.

The division administers the following programs.

On-Campus Courses

Director: Marlys Boote
Web site: http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/coursetypes/on-campus/index.html

The Division of Continuing Education offers On-Campus Courses (formerly Saturday & Evening Classes) and sponsors University courses on campus during late afternoon and evening hours that are convenient for part-time and nontraditional students. Undergraduate and graduate course work is available in a wide range of academic disciplines.

Summer and Winter Sessions

Dean: Chet Rzonca
Web site, summer session: http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/summer/index.html
Web site, winter session: http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/dceunits/wintersession

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

During the summer and winter sessions, students may 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 Programs and Courses

Associate dean: Anne Zalenski
Web site: http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/

The University of Iowa offers a number of online degree and certificate programs, courses in a wide range of disciplines, and Guided Independent Study courses using distance education delivery modes such as the Internet and virtual classroom technology. The division also offers on-site programming in the Quad Cities, Sioux City, Des Moines, and at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory.

The University has established partnerships with many of Iowa's community colleges so that Iowans who earn an associate's degree at their community college can continue to live and work in their community while earning a degree from The University of Iowa.

For information about programs, procedures, and enrollment, contact the Division of Continuing Education.

Bachelor of Applied Studies

Web site: http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/programs/undergraduate/bas/index.html

The Bachelor of Applied Studies (B.A.S.) is a bachelor's degree that may be completed entirely by distance education. The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. and is offered without an academic major, but students may include certificate programs in their degree or develop an area of emphasis by selecting from seven B.A.S. tracks. Students may earn credit toward the degree by taking courses offered in varied distance education formats; they also may use courses offered in on-campus formats. Applicants must hold an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.), an Associate of Arts (A.A.), or an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree. The B.A.S. is awarded by University College and is administered by the Division of Continuing Education. For a detailed program description, see Bachelor of Applied Studies (University College) in the Catalog.

Bachelor of Liberal Studies

Web site: http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/programs/undergraduate/bls/index.html

The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (B.L.S.) is a bachelor's degree that may be completed entirely by distance education. The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. and is offered without an academic major, but students may include certificate programs or emphasis areas within the degree. Students may earn credit toward the degree by taking courses offered in varied distance education formats; they also may use courses offered in on-campus formats. Applicants must have either an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree or have earned at least 60 s.h. of credit. The B.L.S. is awarded by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and is administered by the Division of Continuing Education. For a detailed program description, see Bachelor of Liberal Studies (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) in the Catalog.

A. Craig Baird Debate Forum

Coordinator of forensics: Paul Bellus
Web site:  http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/debate/

The A. Craig Baird Debate Forum provides a forum for advancement in argumentation theory and practice. It provides nationally renowned advocacy training programs on issues of public concern and supports an atmosphere of civil discourse. The forum's local, regional, national, and international outreach programs enhance students' learning environment and reach beyond the physical borders of the University of Iowa campus.

The A. Craig Baird Debate Forum administers the following programs.

Intercollegiate debate: provides coaching and research to advance students' competitive success; includes attendance at 10-15 collegiate debate tournaments yearly; the program has won two national championships.

International parliamentary debate: participation in the world tournament.

National Summer Institute in Forensics: a summer program in which students live on the Iowa campus; features Lincoln-Douglas debate and a policy debate institute; the 78-year-old program draws top scholars to campus and has counted students and teachers from every state of the nation and from Japan, Korea, and Guam as participants.

Iowa High School Forensics League: a partnership between Iowa high schools and The University of Iowa that promotes scholarship, communication and expression, and leadership in forensics; founded in 1906, the league holds three tournaments and an academic conference each year that bring more than 1,000 participants to the Iowa campus.

University public debate series: founded in 1960, the series presents 12 radio broadcast debates each year, investigating local, regional, national, and international controversies; debate attendance is required for some University of Iowa courses.

Community public debate series: a forum in which local political, social, economic, and intellectual controversies are debated.

International public debate series: engages in cross-cultural exchanges and provides a forum for high school debaters to participate with The University of Iowa in international debates.

The National Lincoln-Douglas Debate Round-Robin: brings the nation’s top 28 high school Lincoln-Douglas debaters to campus for the national competition.

Center for Conferences

Director: Jo Dickens
Web site: http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/conferences

The University of Iowa Center for Conferences (UICC) 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.

UICC coordinates national and international conferences for University faculty, departments, colleges, administrative units, student groups and related academic societies, professional associations, and other groups sponsored by the University. Its services include initial planning, site location, budget development, income and expense management, payment processing, and online conference registration.

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

Iowa Lakeside Laboratory

Executive director: Peter J. van der Linden
Web site: http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/lakesidelab/

Iowa Lakeside Laboratory is a field station run cooperatively by The University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa and administered by The University of Iowa. The laboratory offers summer courses and research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Courses focus on the ecology, taxonomy, and conservation of northern plains animals, plants, microorganisms, and ecosystems. Students take one course at a time, 40 hours per week, for one to four weeks. Class sizes are small, and most students spend at least part of every day outdoors.

The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, has designated Lakeside Laboratory a Regents Resource Center, dedicated to providing lifelong learning opportunities for Iowans.

For information about academic programs and courses at the laboratory, see Iowa Lakeside Laboratory (University College) in the Catalog or visit the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory web site.

Iowa Summer Writing Festival

The Iowa Summer Writing Festival is a short-term, noncredit creative writing program for adults. It brings some 1,400 writers to the University of Iowa campus each summer to participate in weeklong and weekend workshops. The program is open to individuals age 21 and older; the sole requirement is the desire to write.

Participants choose from more than 130 workshops across the genres, including the novel, short fiction, poetry, memoir, essay, screenwriting, playwriting, travel writing, humor, writing for children, mystery, science fiction, and more. There are sessions for all skill levels and objectives. In the workshop format, participants read and discuss each other's own creative work.

Weeklong sessions meet for three hours each day, Monday through Friday, with individual student/instructor conferences as well. Weekend sessions meet for eight hours over two days.

Visit the Iowa Summer Writing Festival web site for information about workshops, schedule, and registration. Information about the coming summer festival workshops and dates usually is posted in February or March.

Iowa Young Writers' Studio

Director: Stephen Lovely
Web site:  http://www.uiowa.edu/youngwriters

The Iowa Young Writers' Studio is a two-week summer residential program for high school students who love to write. Students build a community of peers while working with experienced writing teachers, primarily students and graduates of the University's M.F.A. program in creative writing.

The studio offers three courses of study: poetry, fiction, and creative writing (a mix of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction). Each course consists of a seminar and a workshop. In seminars, students read literature by established writers. In workshops they share their own writing, get feedback from their classmates and teacher, and discuss issues of narrative and form.

The studio offers two two-week sessions: one in June and one in July. Young writers who have completed grade 10, 11, or 12 are eligible to attend the studio. Application materials include an application form, a creative writing sample, a statement of purpose, a high school transcript, and a letter of recommendation from an English teacher or another instructor familiar with the applicant's writing. For complete application information, contact the Iowa Young Writers' Studio or visit its web site.

John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center

Director: Chet Rzonca
Manager: Richard Gardner
Web site: http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/jmpec

The John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center (JMPEC) serves a wide range of adult learning needs. It also provides central Iowa students with access to a variety of University of Iowa undergraduate and graduate degree programs and courses. The center is located in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, close to many corporate businesses and government offices. With classrooms that can accommodate groups of up to 80 people, JMPEC is ideal for small conferences, educational workshops, and meetings. It is equipped to handle on-site instructional technology and to deliver distance education to students anywhere. JMPEC also makes noncredit learning opportunities for professional and workforce development available to corporations and individuals. Learn more at the John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center web site.

Labor Center

Director: Jennifer Sherer
Web site: http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/laborctr

The University of Iowa Labor Center provides educational programs and research support to Iowa’s working people and their organizations. The center offers a wide range of noncredit courses designed for labor union members and leaders; they cover steward education and contract administration, collective bargaining, labor and employment law, public policy issues, leadership development, organizing and mobilizing, economics, labor history, workplace health and safety, and other topics 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.