The Knowledge Exchange at GSU’s School of Extended Learning

One of the big ideas that GSU has pursued since it was founded more than 40 years ago is to make education accessible.  The School of Extended Learning is one of the ways we meet those needs.  We serve individuals who find on-campus daytime classes not always possible because of work and family schedules or active military service. 

We also serve the needs of U.S. and international English Language Learners through our programs from the American Language and Culture Institute.  In addition we have programs designed to meet the needs of lifelong learners such as our Knowledge Exchange.  

The unique and diverse non-credited courses that makeup the Knowledge Exchange are intended to encourage shared learning and the free exchange of opinions and ideas.   Specifically targeted for retired and semi-retired learners, courses take place within an open, relaxed and friendly environment and are reasonably priced. 

The morning session classes are 10-12 p.m. with an hour break between the start of the afternoon 1-3 p.m. session.  The lunch break between classes is a great time to enjoy lunch with other Knowledge Exchange participants and to continue classroom discussions and share ideas.   On occasion we offer Lunch and Learn lectures which are free and open to the public.

An example of a course from the Knowledge Exchange Winter 2015 session is World History: The Middle Ages.  This course examines major developments in Europe from roughly the year 1000 CE to 1500 CE.  The major events covered include the Crusades, the Plague, the Hundred Years’ War, the development of the nation-state and the rise of trade and towns. 

Another course is Great Decisions, an annual staple of the The Knowledge Exchange which employs the Foreign Policy Association’s book Great Decisions as a tool for engaging in lively and informed discussions about world affairs.  This year’s class includes topics on Privacy in the Digital Age, Syria’s Refuge Crisis, and Sectarianism in the Middle East.

We encourage you to come out and join the fun!  See the School of Extended Learning’s website for all the details. 

We invite you to explore our many degree, certifcertificate and individual course offeringsicate and individual course offerings listed on our website.  Each college has stellar programs and world-class professors; all of which are focused on delivering academic excellence in a small-class setting.  Learn more about the rich history, cultural amenities and beautiful campus that contributes to making us one of the top colleges in Illinois.  

GSU’s Naperville Education Center Continues to Grow

Governors State University Naperville Education Center (NEC) is attracting more and more students by offering exceptional programs along with our convenient location and class times. Currently the NEC has Bachelor of Arts degree programs in criminal justice, psychology and interdisciplinary studies for students entering with an associate’s degree or 60 college credit hours. Most Bachelor of Arts programs will except up to 80 credits.

Furthermore, NEC’s range of programs includes a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt course that provides the tools to become green belt certified and a practitioner of Lean Six Sigma.  Students learn advanced Lean techniques and Six Sigma Green Belt methodologies through a hybrid format.  You will learn to integrate theories of business, statistics, and the elimination of waste in order to achieve tangible results.

A new program to GSU’s Naperville Education Center for the Summer 2015 Semester is our Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology.  This program is designed to develop competent and creative professionals who have the capacity to function in a variety of clinical settings, including research and academic settings. It is based upon the scientist-practitioner model that calls for psychologists to be trained both as scientists and as practitioners.

We are also recruiting students for NEC’s 2015 Fall Semester for programs that include a Master of Arts in School Counseling, a M.A. in Educational Administration / Principal Leadership Program and a M.A. in Multicategorical Special Education/LBS l Unlimited Endorsement.  Please see our website for all of the details. 

More news from NEC is that we now have a SBDC International Trade Center satellite office.  And coming soon are plans for a B.S. in Computer Science program.  The NEC is located at 2244 W. 95th Street on the third floor of the Fry Properties Building.

Academic excellence and innovation are natural partners. At Governors State University you’ll find an abundance of both.  We have a highly diverse student body and our courses are taught by gifted professors. Our rich history, cultural amenities and a beautiful campus all contribute to making us one of the best colleges in Illinois.

GSU’s American Language and Culture Institute

The School of Extended Learning’s American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI) serves the needs of both international and U.S. students who wish to improve their English language skills.  ALCI’s primary focus is to ensure the academic success of students whose first language is other than English.  The Institute provides English Language Learners a range of services designed to improve speaking, listening, reading, writing and grammar skills as well as test-taking skills and TOEFL test preparation.  

The ALCI offers an ELS Summer Youth Program which provides international young adults an opportunity to be immersed in the English language. Participants will receive English language instruction, workshops on American culture and history as well as cultural excursions. The program is open to international students between the ages of 15-25 and includes housing; most meals, ESL classes, cultural excursions, and even airport pick up and drop off services.  We offer TOEFL® testing on site if desired.

The ALCI exceptional programs also include the Cultural and Professional Development Experience, which is a 10-week summer program held at GSU.  The program provides participants with an American cultural experience that includes evening and weekend excursions to museums, restaurants and historical sites in the Chicago area.  

Furthermore, while participating in the program, you will have the opportunity to meet and coordinate with members of the GSU faculty to discuss pedagogy and research practices.  Participants will also receive instruction in speaking and listening, reading and writing and multimodal literacy.  For those who have an interest, TOEFL® test preparation and onsite TOEFL testing is available.  The program includes housing, two meals a day, local transportation, textbooks, all course instruction, evening and weekend trips and insurance. In addition participants will sign up for a free online orientation course that is provided three weeks prior to the beginning of the summer program.

To discover out more about ACLI’s broad range of services, workshops, private tutoring, community outreach programs and socialization opportunities, please see our website or contact one of the staff.

At GSU you will discover a highly diverse student body made up of individuals of all ages and backgrounds and courses that are taught by gifted professors.  At the School of Extended Learning, we are dedicated to providing support and resources to all students, faculty, and the community to enhance individual growth and global understanding.