User:Tncarey/School of Extended Studies at Portland State University

New article name is School of Extended Studies at Portland State University

We bring the University to the community
The School of Extended Studies uses the strengths of the Portland State University to serve and empower lifelong learners by delivering programs that are flexible, responsive, and innovative. To meet the University’s mission to connect with the community, Extended Studies offers courses and programs oriented to a variety of student audiences. Such audiences include students looking to finish their degrees through Extended Campus and online programming, business professionals looking to increase their professional capacity, companies looking for specialized training, and international and high school students working through the Independent Study program.

History
The School of Extended Studies tracks its beginnings to the founding of Portland State University. In 1946 the Oregon University System established the Vanport Extension Center to meet the needs of returning World War II veterans. After Vanport City was demolished in the flood of 1948, the Center moved to Oregon shipyard buildings. In 1952, the renamed Portland State Extension Center was moved to its present location at what was previously Lincoln High School on Portland’s Park Blocks.

Today, The School of Extended Studies meets its original mission by providing continuing education for the regions citizenry. Program areas include independent study (originally known as “correspondence courses” but now better known as “online programming”), professional development, and, more recently, offsite and extended campus locations.

Academics/Current Programs
The Professional Development Center began in 1982 to meet the needs of the business community and to provide expertise, instructors, and resources in relevant program areas. PDC programs are developed using the latest research tools and techniques that can be applied immediately to professional work. These real-world courses enable working professionals to hone their skills as they face challenges in the business environment. Courses and certificate programming focus on leadership and management, current topics and contemporary issues, healthcare management, human resource management , information technology , marketing , multimedia , organizational development , professional writing , project management , Six Sigma and Lean , and sustainable design and development. Additionally, the PDC offers corporate and onsite training tailored to individual companies.

Extended Campus classes are held at community colleges and community locations throughout Oregon as well as online, providing undergraduate- and graduate-degree programs available to off-campus students at times and locations that are convenient for them.



Independent Study was founded in 1907 under the Continuing Education branch of the Oregon University System. Originally housed at University of Oregon, the Independent Study program has served all Oregon state institutions of higher learning, providing the original distance-learning opportunity for Oregonians through correspondence study. The program was moved to Oregon State University and eventually to Portland State University, where it now resides. Along the way, high school courses were added to the program. The Independent Study program is now designed for high school students who seek advanced standing for college or who wish to improve their academic skills; Independent Study offers courses where students can start anytime and study from anywhere. College-level credit is also available through this program for students seeking self-paced educational opportunities.

Summer Session : The largest academic summer program in Oregon, Summer Session is composed of comprehensive, award-winning schools and colleges. Summer Session features distinguished faculty from the PSU campus as well as from around the world. Approximately 1,200 courses are offered from June through August through over 40 departments. Formal admission is not required to PSU for Summer Session, and all students are charged in-state tuition (except non-exempt residents taking nine credit hours or more).

Online Learning Services : Online Learning Services (OLS) assists PSU departments with the design, development, and online delivery of academic programs. OLS encompass needs analysis, program planning, student-service design, course design, faculty training and instructional support, and ongoing quality management and evaluation. The primary tool for delivering online programs is the Blackboard course-management system.

Online Workforce Development : This program features high-quality, instructor-led, and self-directed online courses and certificates. Portland State University, in association with JER Group, Inc., offers courses in over 100 subject areas.