GSU’s Extensive Resources for International Students

As one of the most diverse universities in the region in regards to both students and faculty, GSU understands the challenges of going to college in a country far from home.  In order to ensure a smooth transition for our international students, we provide them with extensive resources.  Our assistance includes helping you with everything from filling out forms and paperwork to finding other students who share your background or interests. 

One of the primary resources for our international students is the Office of International Services.  This is where we will serve as your partner throughout a successful college career at GSU.  If you take a look at our website, it should be more than enough to convince you that we are experienced at helping incoming or current students navigate through the process of attending a university in the U.S.

For those new to the university, our website will direct you to a list of available degree programs as well as how to apply to GSU.  Once you are admitted to the university, you will work with the Office of International Services to obtain your I-20 (F-1 Students) or DS-2019 (J-1 Students).  You will also find a tuition estimator on our website to give you an idea of the cost of attending Governors State.  Furthermore, if you are currently attending a university in another country, be sure to check our list of International University Partners to see if you qualify for a discounted tuition rate at GSU.

Another important resource for both international and U.S. students interested in improving English language skills is the American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI).  The Institute’s main focus is to help ensure the academic success of students whose first language is other than English.  To improve language skills, the ALCI, maintains an Intensive English Program as well as collaborates with the Office of International Services to create co-curricular activities for interested students.

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.

Educational Opportunities for Members of the Military

GSU’s School of Extended Learning offers continuing educational courses for adults who may not be available for traditional daytime on-campus classes due to work and family schedules or military service.  One of the ways we have reached out to active-duty service members is by proudly participating in the Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) since 1997.   

The NCPACE program is directed at shipboard sailors who wish to continue their education while at sea or when stationed at off-shore assignments.  Since the courses are in a CD-ROM format, they can be taken without the need of the Internet and completed as an independent study.  Each course begins once the ship departs and ends at the conclusion of the deployment.

Over the years, thousands of sailors have enrolled and successfully completed NCPACE courses from GSU and other participating institutions.  Once the service member is back on base, GSU programs can be continued as Internet, correspondence or televised classes.  All NCPACE courses from Governors State are three semester credit hours.   

Examples of a couple of the courses offered through the NCPACE include an: Introduction to Management Strategies; Substance Abuse: Current Concepts; and Living Literature: The Classics and You.  The Intro to Management Strategies course introduces students to classical management, behavioral and management science. The course reviews the basic functions of management emphasizing the interrelationships among planning, organizing, directing and controlling and much more.

To learn more about how the program works, please refer to our website.  Tuition for the NCPACE is covered through the military tuition-assistance program.  Also books and supplies can be ordered online through MBS Direct, or for regular GSU courses contact the bookstore.

In every college we have outstanding programs and world-class professors; all focused on delivering academic excellence in a small-class setting.  Academic excellence and innovation are natural partners. At Governors State University you’ll find an abundance of both.  We look forward to helping you achieve your educational and career goals.

One of the Chicago Area’s Top Six Sigma Certification

GSU’s School of Extended Learning is for anyone who desires to continue learning throughout their lifetime.  Here you will find quality courses and workshops that will allow you to acquire new skills and knowledge for personal and professional advancement as well as to obtain CEUs and Certifications.

One such offering is the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification course that is designed to provide a thorough understanding of Six Sigma Methodology.  The course focuses on both Advanced Lean Techniques and Six Sigma "Green Belt" practices.  To enhance the learning process, lean thinking skills are presented with detailed and realistic hands-on examples.  Students will acquire the necessary expertise to be Green Belt certified and to be a practitioner of Lean Six Sigma at their organization.  Moreover students will develop the framework for becoming a Black Belt. 

The hybrid instruction consists of four in-class and four online classes where you will be given the tools to become a process change agent for your organization.  The course is designed to sharpen the direction of your efforts as well as teaching you how to drive profitability throughout your organization and improve the financial bottom line.  Once you integrate the Six Sigma methodology into your organization, you will be able to solve complex problems with greater efficiency.  

This internationally-recognized training and certification program is perfect for executives who wish to utilize an “advance” team in your group’s process.  Furthermore, it offers college or graduate level students the opportunity to get a competitive edge in the hiring process.  The program can also be useful for displaced workers who are seeking to enhance their background for future employment.   Please see our website for the complete course details and schedule. 

We encourage you to explore our many degree, certificate 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.  

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.  

Corporate Training Opportunities at GSU

The School of Extended Learning at GSU believes that investing in lifelong learning provides employees more satisfying, productive working lives. Furthermore, we feel it is one of the best ways to enhance job performance, teamwork and overall corporate competitiveness. Thereby our mission at GSU is to assist companies in their quest to become industry leaders by offering their employees the most effective training available.

Governors State University’s Corporate Education and Training program will bring professional level training right to your company or organization.  The various offerings range from courses such as Supply Chain Optimization Leadership Overview and the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certificate course that focuses on both Advanced Lean Techniques and Six Sigma "Green Belt" methodologies.

Our extensive list of courses allows corporations to delegate Governors State as their regional headquarters for workforce preparation, employee training, business development and technology deployment.  These resources are available throughout the Chicago Southland Area.  While we want to encourage you to take a look at our current training courses and online selections, be sure to check back with us frequently to see about any new courses and training opportunities we may have added.

Furthermore, GSU has partnered with OnCourse Learning.  They are a provider of high-quality, state approved, customized training solutions, textbooks, and occupational tools for both pre-licensing and continuing education.  Courses include topics that cover real estate, appraisal, mortgage, home inspection, IT, engineering, insurance, and bank and credit union industries.

The School of Extended Learning recognizes that on-campus daytime classes are not always possible for students because of work and family schedules or active military service.  We also know that many students – often GSU alumni who found their love for learning here – want to keep on learning for a lifetime. We are designed to meet those needs and more.

We invite you to explore our many degree, certificate and individual course offerings listed on our website.  GSU has a highly diverse student body made up of individuals of all ages and backgrounds and our courses are taught by gifted professors.  Learn more about the rich history, cultural amenities and beautiful campus that contributes to making us one of the top colleges in Illinois.  

Learn More About: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Would you like to learn the proper techniques for achieving resolution of a problem?  Or are you a college or graduate student looking for a competitive edge in the hiring process or currently unemployed and need to enhance your credentials for future employment?  The solution can be found at the GSU School of Extended Learning’s unique course offering called Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification.

The course is designed for anyone who would like to get a thorough understanding of Six Sigma Methodology.   During the training, you are prepared to become Green Belt certified and to apply the techniques at an organization.  As part of the instruction, the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification offers assistance with project planning and a variety of statistical tools.  Students are instructed in methods to integrate theories of business, statistics, and the elimination of waste with a goal of achieving real, tangible results.     

The School of Extended Learning’s course also lays the foundational framework for Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.  An interesting statistic from the 8th Annual iSixSigma Global Salary Survey indicates that professionals with Black Belt Certification in the U.S. earn an average annual salary of $122,627.  Additionally their statistics show that U.S. professionals who complete any Six Sigma training earn $12,642 more than those without it (2011QP Salary Survey). 

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate course is offered at the main GSU campus and the Naperville Education Center. In addition Governors State University’s Corporate Education and Training offers the option of bringing the training to your organization or corporation.

At GSU we believe that investing in lifelong learning leads employees toward more satisfying, productive working lives. Lean Six Sigma is ideal for executives, managers, front-line supervisors, business owners, engineers and practitioners of continuous improvement.  Learn more about the rich history, cultural amenities and beautiful campus that contributes to making us one of the top colleges in Illinois.  

ESL Students – Improve Your Skills

If you are a student in the Chicago area and want to improve your English language skills, Governors State University offers a program you may be interested in through our School of Extended Learning.  The American Language and Culture Institute’s (ALCI) program is designed and taught by a professional faculty to prepare students academically, socially, and culturally for success as university students.

Our Intensive ESL Program is for both international and U.S. students and is available year-round.  It is taught by an ESL faculty that is experienced in assisting students who consider themselves English Language Learners, and the program utilizes cutting-edge teaching methods, curriculum design, and up-to-date research.    

Students are provided with specialized course work that includes Listening and Speaking, Reading and Writing, Integrated Studies, Multimodal Composing, Pronunciation and Cross Cultural Contexts.  Our program is also intended to help student with TOEFL test preparation. 

Regardless of whether you are a beginning learner or a student with more advanced English skills, our program can help to prepare you to do better academically at the university level.   Please keep in mind that students applying to the Intensive ESL Program are not automatically guaranteed admittance to Governor State’s undergraduate or graduate programs.  Students are still required to meet the university standards for admission, and the application process requires a transcript evaluation as well as TOEFL® or IELTS scores.

To apply to our Intensive ESL Program, we offer a convenient online application.  The program accepts students 18 years or older, and for students 17 years of age, they need to submit their school transcripts.  For your convenience, we offer an easy online application.   Please see our website for more information.

Along with our extensive ESL programs, GSU’s Office of International Services is available to assist all international students, international faculty, staff and scholars, study abroad students and their families.  We are proud to be home to a diverse population with representation from countries around the globe. We encourage you to learn more about the rich history, cultural amenities and beautiful campus that contributes to making us one of the top colleges in Illinois.