Program Overview
Welcome to SWOSU’s Continuing Education Program! Our courses, workshops, and certificate programs are designed for flexibility and accessibility, offering practical skills and knowledge to meet today’s demands. With experienced instructors and supportive environments, we empower learners to pursue their passions and enhance their expertise.
Continuing Education vs. Academic Education
Continuing education and academic education serve different purposes and target different types of learners, though both contribute to personal and professional growth.
- Academic Education typically refers to formal, structured programs such as undergraduate and graduate degrees, providing a broad foundation of knowledge over multiple years, culminating in a recognized degree or diploma.
- Continuing Education is focused on lifelong learning, allowing individuals to acquire new skills, update existing ones, or explore personal interests outside of traditional degree pathways. Ideal for working professionals, career-switchers, and anyone interested in personal growth, these programs are designed to be accessible and immediately applicable.
In short, academic education lays the foundation for a career or field of study, while continuing education enables ongoing growth and adaptation, equipping learners to keep pace with the changing demands of their professions and interests.
Target Audience
Our programs cater to a diverse audience:
- Professionals looking to advance or pivot in their careers
- Lifelong learners seeking to expand their knowledge
- Individuals pursuing personal enrichment
Flexible scheduling options, including online, evening, and weekend classes, accommodate busy adults at any life stage.
Enrollment/Participation Details
To enroll in SWOSU Continuing Education courses, please follow the process below:
Apply to SWOSU for Continuing Education courses:
- Click the application link and complete the application. Press Submit Information.
- Once the application is processed, you will receive a Continuing Education welcome amil at the email address provided in your application.
- This email may contain additional HTML information not pertinent to your course, which is in the process of being removed.
Access your SWOSU accounts:
- Log into Go SWOSU and complete the multi-factor authentication process.
- Click on Self-Service.
Enroll in a course:
- In the Self-Service application, click the icon that looks like a graduation cap.
- From the drop-down menu, select Continuing Education.
- On the next screen, press Search without filling in any fields to view all Continuing Education course offerings.
- Review the available courses. For more details, click More Information. To enroll, click Select next to your desired course.
- Click Add Section. A message confirming that the course has been added to your cart will appear.
- Click
- On the enrollment page, answer the optional questions to help SWOSU gather information for future offerings. Press
- On the Shopping Cart page, click
Access your course in Canvas:
- Return to the Go SWOSU Dashboard and click the Canvas icon to access your course.
- Once in Canvas, scroll to the landing page and select your course.
If you have any issues accessing Go SWOSU, please contact the ITS Helpdesk at 580-774-7070 or complete a TDX ticket by clicking the following link: TDX Helpdesk Ticketing System.
If you have any issues with Canvas, please send an email to one of CETL's email addresses: continuingEd@swosu.edu or distance@swosu.edu. You can also call 580-774-7126 and please leave a voicemail. Feel free to use this information to also contact Lisa Friesen with CETL, any questions.
Contact info and support
Lisa Friesen, Director, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, HEC 210, 580-774-7126. lisa.friesen@swosu.edu, or ContinuingEd@swosu.edu.