University of Montana Introduces New Series of Professional Development Courses

The School of Extended & Lifelong Learning at The University of Montana http://www.umt.edu/ce/ is offering a new series of professional development courses beginning late March 2013. The series is designed to enhance career potential and consists of short, noncredit courses that are open to the public and taught by UM faculty and local professionals.

Registration is open for the first set of courses, which cover a range of topics, such as leadership, advertising, communication and employment law. Many are offered in the evening to accommodate working professionals. All instructors are qualified professionals who possess current, real-world experience and a desire to share their knowledge.

Course fees range from $40 for a two-hour "Communication Design for the Digital Age" course taught by Gordy Pace, director of communications for UM Information Technology, to the $2,500 Social Media Certificate Program, offered online in partnership with Dalton Education. The average course is 15 hours and costs $350. New courses will be added regularly.

"If you own a business or work for a company that doesn’t provide training, short of going back to college, this is the best opportunity for you to learn about your rights and responsibilities as an employer, how to craft a winning proposal, how to create your own advertising and to gain other skills that you need to succeed," said Candi Merrill, UMExtended Courses program director.

The courses aim to improve the employability of Montana’s residents, keep alumni connected with UM and attract new businesses to the region by demonstrating that Missoula has a well-trained workforce.

"This series is designed specifically for our community, and the courses have depth," Merrill said. "Ultimately, these noncredit programs will make a positive impact on UM and on the western Montana region."

Contact: Candi Merrill, program director, UMExtended Courses, School of Extended & Lifelong Learning, 406-243-6431, [email protected] or go online to http://www.umt.edu/sell/profdev.