GSU’s School of Extended Learning: Off-Campus Locations

GSU’s School of Extended Learning is designed to meets the needs of life-long learners by providing a wide range of courses in a very flexible manner.  One of the ways we do this is through offering several off-campus locations throughout the greater Chicago area. 

One of our larger off-campus sites, GSU Naperville Education Center (NEC) in Naperville, IL, offers various graduate degree programs that includes a M.A. in Psychology and School Counseling, several Bachelor of Arts programs, Communications Workshops and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt courses.  Our Bachelor of Arts degree programs in criminal justice, psychology and interdisciplinary studies at the NEC are designed for students entering with an associate’s degree or 60 college credit hours.  Most of our B.A. programs will except up to 80 credits.

The Governors State University at South Suburban College and University Center is another of our off-campus sites located in Oak Forest, IL.   Currently Our College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), Division of Communication Visual and Performing Arts, offers one credit hour undergraduate/graduate level special topic courses from the Communication program curriculum.  Please see our website for more information. 

In a partnership between Triton College in River Grove, IL and GSU, students may now earn a B.A. in Criminal Justice or in Communication from the College of Arts and Sciences.   The College of Health and Human Services also offers a Bachelor of Health Administration or Social Work.  Furthermore, a new Master of Arts in Criminal Justice cohort was started in Spring 2015 at the campus.  

The James R. Thompson Center in Chicago offers another convenient opportunity to pursue GSU’s exceptional graduate programs at an off-campus site.  Currently students can pursue their Master of Public Administration or a Master of Arts Political and Justice Studies.   These accredited programs are offered as evening classes and are adult focused coursed taught by industry leaders.  We also have special incentives for veterans.  Please see our website for details. 

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.

 

GSU’s Summer Young Adult Program

The Intensive ESL Program at GSU is designed to serve the needs of international and domestic students that want to improve their English language skills in order to further their academic success.  Taught by an experienced faculty, this exceptional program prepares students academically, socially, and culturally at the university level.  Students have the opportunity to become immersed in the English language and the program is available for beginner to advanced learners.  Courses start in the Fall, Spring or Summer semesters. 

In addition to our excellent Intensive ESL Program, we also offer our Summer Young Adult Program that is intended for international young adults between the ages of 15-25.  Through this comprehensive program, students will receive English language instruction, participate in workshops on American culture as well as take part in a number of cultural excursions.   Our proximity to Chicago offers students the opportunity to explore some of the area’s best music, sports, theatre, art, nature and shopping as well as the culture and community of the region.

As an all-inclusive program, we provide students with housing, most meals, ESL classes; cultural excursions, insurance, and airport pick up and drop off services.  If addition for those students who are interested, we offer on site TOEFL® testing.

We encourage you to learn more about the American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI) at GSU and the extensive services we provide to both international and U.S. students.  The Institute’s primary focus is to ensure the academic success of students whose first language is other than English.  Our services include tutoring, workshops and courses aimed at improving a student’s speaking, listening, reading, writing and grammar skills as well as test-taking skills and TOEFL test preparation. 

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.

Exceptional Opportunities for Adult Learners

One of the big ideas that GSU has been pursuing since it was founded more than 40 years ago is to make education accessible, and one of the ways we do that is through our School of Extended Learning.  Recognizing that daytime classes do not work for everyone’s schedules due to work, family or active military service, we offer courses and workshops that meet the needs of those individuals.   

Our offerings cover a wide range of interests such as the American Home Inspectors Training course that provides comprehensive home inspection training.  It is a partnership between GSU and the American Home Inspectors Training Institute.   Another example is Do You Have an IRS Issue?  This three-hour discussion allows time for a Q & A period.  Participants may bring their issues and IRS notices to discuss or to meet one-on-one afterwards.   Information covered includes earned income credits, mistakes on tax returns, cancellation of debts, foreclosures or short sales and more.

Furthermore, we offer Graduate Record Exam Test Preparation.  Here, students acquire strategies in math, reading comprehension, writing, and verbal and quantitative skills to improve GRE scores using acclaimed Cambridge test preparation materials.   In addition we offer a LSAT Prep course designed to give students strategies in verbal skills, logic, critical reasoning and analytical writing to improve test scores.  The LSAT course also uses Cambridge test preparation materials.  The Miller Analogies Test Prep course familiarizes students with the knowledge they need to improve MAT test scores.

This is just a sampling of the courses and workshops we offer.  Other examples include: Database Applications using Microsoft Access 2013; Growing Profits: Levers and Techniques; Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate Course, Online Professional Non-Credit Courses and much more.   Please visit our website to view the full selection of exceptional courses and to find out dates and schedules. 

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.  

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.