What Is Continuing Education and Who Is It For?

Updated

Continuing education is non-degree or part-time study designed mainly for working adults who want to update skills, change careers, meet a licensing requirement, or learn something for personal interest. It usually differs from a full undergraduate or graduate degree in three ways: admission is often less competitive, study is frequently part-time or evening-based, and the outcome is typically a certificate, attestation, or individual course credits rather than a degree. It is a good fit if you need targeted knowledge without committing to a multi-year degree; it is a poor fit if your goal requires a formal degree credential for entry into a regulated profession.

How continuing education differs from degree study

Dimension Continuing education Undergraduate / graduate degree
Primary audience Working adults, career changers Students pursuing a full credential
Typical commitment Single courses, short programs Multi-year, full program
Admission Often open or lighter requirements Competitive, transcript-based
Outcome Certificate, attestation, course credit Degree (BA, BSc, MA, MBA, etc.)
Scheduling Evenings, weekends, online, intensive Mostly daytime, term-based

At Concordia University, continuing education sits alongside undergraduate, graduate, and executive education as one of the main study paths listed on the university's home page. That placement matters: it signals that continuing education is treated as a distinct entry point into the university, not a lesser version of a degree.

Who it is for

Continuing education tends to suit four broad groups:

  • Career changers who need a specific skill set (for example, project management or data analysis) before applying for roles in a new field.
  • Professionals maintaining credentials where a regulator or employer requires periodic coursework.
  • People testing a subject before committing to a full degree — taking one course lets you judge the workload and your interest.
  • Lifelong learners studying for personal rather than career reasons.

If you are a recent high school graduate with no work experience and your goal is a first degree, continuing education is usually the wrong route. If you already hold a degree and want a focused, shorter credential, it often fits better.

How to judge whether it is worth it

Work through these questions before registering:

  1. What do you need at the end? A certificate, a license renewal, transferable academic credit, or just knowledge. The answer determines which program type you need.
  2. Does the credential carry weight in your field? Check whether employers or regulators in your industry recognize the specific certificate, not just the university name.
  3. Can the credits transfer? If you might later pursue a degree, ask in writing whether the course counts toward it and under what conditions.
  4. What is the real time cost? Add class hours, commute or login time, and assignments. A single course can still be a weekly commitment.
  5. What are the prerequisites? Some courses assume prior study or work experience; others are open. Confirm before you pay.
  6. What is the format? In-person, virtual, or hybrid changes the practical cost considerably if you commute.

Practical steps to enroll

  • Find the program. Use the university's program search or browse the continuing education section directly. At Concordia, "Find your program" and the continuing education link on the home page are the starting points.
  • Check the admission route. Continuing education often has its own application process separate from degree admissions.
  • Attend an information session. Concordia runs in-person and virtual information sessions covering admissions, academics, and student life — useful for confirming details that are not obvious from a course page.
  • Confirm cost and schedule. Tuition, material fees, and refund deadlines are set per course; verify them with the offering unit rather than assuming.
  • Register and keep records. Save your syllabus and any credit-transfer confirmation, since you may need them later.

Common pitfalls

  • Assuming a certificate is equivalent to a degree in the eyes of employers or regulators.
  • Assuming credits transfer automatically to a degree program — they usually do not without approval.
  • Underestimating the workload of a single course while working full-time.
  • Missing registration or refund deadlines, which are often earlier and stricter than for degree students.

If your goal is a recognized professional credential, verify the requirement with the relevant licensing body first, then choose the program that satisfies it. If your goal is exploration or skill-building, a single continuing education course is usually the lowest-risk way to start.