What you learn after graduation is what moves you up. Whether you’re maintaining a license, building new skills, or pivoting into a new field, continuing education helps you reach your goals.
But with so many options available, how do you choose the right course?
In this guide, we’ll explore your options, where to find them, and what to ask before making a decision.
What is continuing education?
As professor Gursel Alici (University of Wollongong) puts it, in an interview with Studyportals: “Education is a lifelong journey”. Continuing education is an ongoing learning process that help professionals maintain licenses, develop new skills or transition into new careers. It includes a variety of short courses and flexible post-secondary options like courses, certificates or professional training.
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A great advantage is that you can complete this professional development at your own pace. Whether in person or online, there are plenty of options available through major universities, community colleges, and professional associations.
Who is continuing education for?
Most professionals can benefit from continuing education, regardless of their goals or career stage. For some, it’s a job requirement, for others, it’s a way to improve their expertise, stay competitive or start a new chapter.
If you’re a licensed professional: you’ll need to complete continuing education courses to maintain your license and adapt to the constant changes in your field. Healthcare workers, accountants, engineers, and teachers are among those required to regularly update their knowledge to remain active in their professions.
Developing new skills can also lead to higher pay. For instance, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a licensed practical nurse is $29.97 per hour, while a registered nurse earns $45 per hour.
The difference lies in education and qualifications.
A licensed practical nurse must complete a one-year state approval educational program, while a registered nurse needs a bachelor's degree in nursing or a diploma from an approved nursing program.
If you’re changing careers: continuing education can help develop new skills, build confidence and gain credibility in a new field.
Let’s take Georgiana’s example. Her journey shows how an ongoing learning process can support a career change. At 50 years old, she transitioned from working as a secretary to becoming a medical assistant after completing a series of professional courses. She explains: “Those courses helped me develop my medical competencies and trust in my abilities. They opened the door to new opportunities, and helped me become more competent, empathetic and prepared for the challenges of this profession”.
If you want to build new skills: whether you’re a recent graduate or already working, continuing education can strengthen your technical and soft skills, helping you stay adaptable with industry changes.
Erin’s experience shows how continuing learning can help professionals keep pace with evolving demands. As a marketing specialist, she regularly takes courses and attends industry conferences to expand her knowledge. She adds: “Marketing is a fast-evolving industry and the transformations brought by AI require constant adaptation”.
Types of continuing education
Continuing education comes in flexible formats, offering many options available to suit different needs and budgets.
With that in mind, here are three main categories:
Professional and licensed fields
Professionals with state-issued licenses must stay compliant with industry regulations and keep their skills relevant.
Hands-on workshops, accredited seminars or online courses are some examples of programmes, but they must be pre-approved to count as a license renewal.
University-based programmes
Individuals who want to upskill or pivot careers can pursue a university-based programme to bridge academic knowledge with professional development.
Those programmes are flexible to accommodate working professionals and their formats usually involve evening classes, online or in-person learning.
Usually, these programmes are short and intense, and add hands-on experience as you can learn directly from industry experts.
Harvard Business School, for example, offers programmes in Innovation, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence, or Executive Leadership, suitable for executive or senior leaders.
Online and flexible learning
Online learning allows you to study on your own schedule, fitting courses around work or other commitments.
More structured programmes, like those offered by UCLA Extension, combine this flexibility with direct interaction: you can connect with classmates and instructors via Zoom and access course materials through a dedicated learning platform.
UCLA Extension offers online, in-person, or hybrid formats for different fields such as finance, writing, business, engineering, healthcare, or law.
More affordable platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare allow you to learn in your area of interest on your own terms. Many offer discussion forums where you can exchange ideas with fellow learners. The trade-off is less personalized interaction, as there is no specific time to connect with an instructor.
What are continuing education credits (CEUs)?
The proof of your involvement in a specific programme is reflected by the continuing education credits (CEUs). They represent a standardized measure used to quantify the time learners need to invest in a programme.
A CEU is equivalent to 10 hours of participation in an accredited programme. Attending a course is not enough; participation is usually defined by:
- Engaging in live interaction with instructors
- Working on assignments
- Completing other learning activities
CEUs are a requirement for many professionals as they are used to maintain licenses, renew certifications or meet regulatory requirements.
Online vs in-person continuing education
Online continuing education offers more flexibility, allowing students to learn at their own pace. It’s often more cost-effective and can also be a fantastic way to connect with people from across the country.
Costs vary depending on the institution and field of study.
At UCLA Extension, online courses can start at around $390, while specialized programmes such as Java programming may cost up to $1,100. On the other hand, in-person courses usually start at around $1,100.
Prices can be even higher at other institutions. At Harvard, for example, fees can reach $3,500. Despite the higher costs, programmes often fill quickly, suggesting strong demand.
While this option might be ideal for someone with a busy schedule, online continuing education has its limitations as well. Spending most of the time in front of your computer may reduce networking opportunities and limit real-time guidance from instructors.
In-person continuing education, on the other hand, means immediate feedback, hands-on demonstrations and stronger network opportunities.
Luckily, many institutions offer hybrid formats that allow students to benefit from the flexibility of one format and the engagement of the other.
How to choose the right continuing education course
Choosing the right continuing education course is a decision that must align with your career goals and budget. Because not every course or certificate will be relevant to your professional development.
Before enrolling, ask yourself:
- Is this course required for your profession? If so, how many CEUs do you need to renew your license?
- Is it relevant enough for your career, and will it make you more competitive?
- Will you gain a new set of skills that make you a more valuable member of your team?
- Do you have enough time to attend in-person courses, or would a hybrid format suit you best?
- Will the outcome of the course justify the cost?
- Will you have enough time to complete assignments and make the most of this experience?
Whatever your area of expertise, these questions can help you decide which continuing education course is the right fit for you.
Where to find continuing education courses
From well-known universities to online platforms and local providers, there are many options to choose from for continuing education courses.
Here are some of the most popular options:
Universities and extension schools
- Harvard Division of Continuing Education
- MIT
- UCLA Extension
- Stanford
- Princeton
- University of Chicago
Professional organizations
- American Nurses Association
- National Association of Social Workers
- National Insurance Producer Registry
Online platforms
- Coursera
- Udemy
- WebCE
- edX
- LearnWorlds
Local providers like university extension schools, community colleges or professional training organizations also offer options for different fields of study.
FAQ
Is continuing education the same as a degree?
They are not the same as their nature and scope are different.
Continuing education focuses on professional upskilling, while a degree is an academic qualification.
Do courses give credits?
Not all of them. Some courses give continuing education credits (CEUs) that can be used to maintain or renew a license in a specific field, but only if the courses are accredited by a professional board.
Are online courses recognised?
Yes, as long as the online courses are accredited by established organizations and are relevant to your field of study or profession.
Not all courses are officially recognized. Some may be taken for personal interest and may only provide a certificate of completion rather than a formal accreditation.
How much do courses cost?
The cost depends on the field of study, format, and institution. Online platforms generally offer more affordable options compared to well-known university programmes.
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