Continuing & Professional Education (CPE) at Columbus State University provides a variety of educational opportunities and is a vital link between the university and our community. The mission of CPE is to foster lifelong learning by providing collaborative, educational, and cultural experiences for all ages. 

Continuing & Professional Education is recognized as an Authorized Provider of the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). In obtaining this accreditation, CPE demonstrates compliance with the ANSI/IACET Standard, the gold standard for delivering quality continuing education and training. As a result, CPE is authorized to offer IACET Continuing Education Units (IACET CEUs) for qualified programs, which are widely accepted by many professional membership organizations.

Continuing & Professional Education extends the university's standards of higher learning through a comprehensive portfolio of open enrollment courses that encompass in-demand professional development skills and credentials, as well as leisure and life enrichment activities. There are no educational prerequisites for most courses and students are not required to send transcripts or take university entrance exams. In addition, completed courses earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs), nationally recognized measurements for open enrollment, non-credit course work. Courses are held on Main Campus at the Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center on East Lindsay Drive, on RiverPark Campus at the historic Rankin Building on Broadway, and online.

Continuing & Professional Education is home to a wide array of specialized programs and community-focused outreach:

• CPE Courses & Certificate Programs: CPE offers an ever-changing lineup of professional development and personal enrichment courses each semester. From Real Estate Salesperson Pre-licensing to Graphic Design and Medical Coding & Billing, available certificates provide professional skills that are relevant to employers. Personal enrichment courses--available to nurture the mind, body, and lifestyle--feature dance, art, fitness, sewing, painting, sailing, and more!

• CSU English Language Institute: The CSU English Language Institute (ELI) is a supportive learning community where certified, experienced ESL teachers provide immersive, integrative, interactive, and intensive experiences to help students achieve their academic, professional, and personal English acquisition goals. The SEVIS and USG-approved Intensive English Program (IEP) is ideal for students who want to pursue university study or career advancement where a high level of English proficiency is required. The ELI is also home to the USG-approved CSU Bridge Pathway Program for ESL, a SEVP-certified pathway program designed to help students achieve English proficiency while also enrolled in pre-approved academic courses. 

• Activ8: This award-winning youth program fosters creativity and knowledge in children ages 4-14 during holidays and summer break by focusing on fun activities created from STEAM curriculum, as well as media, sports, and dance.

• CSU Youth Dance Conservatory: The region’s foremost center of classical ballet training for ages 3 and up; located in Uptown Columbus at the Rankin Building.

• Rankin Photography Center: A resource for creative, professional photography with a gallery featuring quarterly exhibitions to showcase local and national photographers. Also home to Photopia--a membership organization for photographers who value creativity and technical expertise, and are willing to share their experience with others.

• Empowered Youth of Columbus: Founded in 2010, EYC is an after-school program that provides quality academic and arts enrichment programming in a safe, caring environment to at-risk youth in our community. Activities are offered through a network of public and private partnerships; current partnerships include the Muscogee County School District, the Boys and Girls Club of Columbus, The Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice.

• CSU Testing Center: The CSU Testing Center is a nationally certified test center for current and prospective CSU students, students of other educational institutions, and the community at large. The CSU Testing Center also operates a Prometric Testing Center, which delivers academic and professional licensing and certification exams.

• Conference Services: CPEprovides services--venue selection, registration services, vendor support, and more--to help facilitate all aspects of professional and academic conferences and meetings, whether large or small.

• Customized Training: CPE offers custom-built training to help individuals and organizations increase efficiency, efficacy, and profitability.

To learn more about Continuing & Professional Education, please visit columbusstate.edu/ce.