Looking for Ways to Improve Your Organization’s Results?

GSU’s School of Extended Learning provides a convenient way for you and your organization to develop a foundational framework for Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.  Many Chicagoans have already successfully taken part in our highly rated Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification course, and now wish to advance their progress.  In response to the demand for more challenging techniques, the School of Extended Learning will be offering a Six Sigma BlackBelt Certification program in the near future.  

   

For those of you that have not yet taken the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification course it is a great way to start the program.  The course provides an opportunity to learn about the methods that go into planning a project along with the various statistical tools to become Green Belt certified and a practitioner of Lean Six Sigma at your organization.  Although we just had a session start in August, please check our website for information regarding upcoming sessions.  Furthermore, remember that if you have a group interested in the training, we will come to your location.  

These valuable programs are offered through GSU’s School of Extended Learning, which has a wide array of learning opportunities for anyone who wishes to keep learning throughout their lifetime.  We provide courses and workshops that allow you to acquire new skills and knowledge for career advancement along with pursuing CEUs and Certifications.  Please take a look at our Professional Development web pages or catalog to review the details for our Six Sigma Certification program as well as all of our other excellent courses.

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.

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.

GSU’s Continuing Education - Upcoming Courses

GSU’s School of Continuing Education will be holding a number of courses and workshops during the month of May and June, 2015.  To make it convenient to enroll in any of these courses; you will find an online registration form on our website. 

A few of the upcoming offerings includes a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate course at GSU’s main campus on Saturdays, May 16 – July 11.  This is offered in a hybrid instruction format with four on-site classes and four online.  The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certificate course focuses on both Advanced Lean Techniques and Six Sigma "Green Belt" methodologies. The course includes project planning and various statistical tools to equip students to become Green Belt certified and a practitioner of Lean Six Sigma at their organization.

Another important offering is our Identity Theft Affects All course.  This informative workshop will be held at the Naperville Education Center on Tuesday, May 19, or at the main campus on Wednesday, May 27.  The course explores the widespread epidemic of identity theft, the causes and how it can affect any of us.  You will learn how to safe guard yourself, your business and your employees.  

In partnership with the industry leader, American Home Inspectors Training Institute (AHIT), we will be holding another American Home Inspectors Training Institute (AHIT) course.  The comprehensive home inspection training program will be on June 22 - June 26, at GSU’s main campus. 

We are also offering two more sessions of our Do You Have an IRS Issue? The dates for this informative discussion are May 21, at the Naperville Education Center, and on May 28, at GSU.  This is a chance to bring your issues, and IRS notices to discuss or meet one-on-one afterwards.

Furthermore, the GSU Faculty Development in International Business (FDIB) Workshops is on June 10 – June 11.  The FDIB will be led by the College of Business and Public Administration faculty who are content experts on the relevant topics.  The program is sponsored by a US Department of Education grant and is offered at minimum cost to participants.

Please visit the School of Extending Learning’s Office of Continuing Education website to see the full schedule of our workshops and course offerings.  These are excellent opportunities for individuals seeking advancement both professionally and personally.

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.   

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.

Don’t Miss GSU’s: Fishin' Buddies! Walk-A-Thon! The ART of Nature

Get ready to have some fun while helping to raise money for a good cause.  In partnership with Fishin’ Buddies, the School of Extended Learning, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, the Fishin’ Buddies Walk-a-Thon is a fund-raiser for the S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) Programs for Chicagoland at-risk youth.  In addition there are more than 100 local organizations, schools, businesses and clubs who are supporting the hikers, volunteers and sponsors.

The event takes place on Saturday, June 6^th, 2015 from 10am to 3pm with an onsite check-in at 9am.  Held at the beautiful Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park located on GSU’s main campus, participants will register as individuals or as a team.  Once you register, you can set up your own FB Walk-a-Thon Page where you can post information about your fundraising goal and personalize with pictures, videos and messages.  Then all you have to do is to share your page via Facebook, email or text and ask your support group to help you meet your fundraising goal. 

Not only does the event provide the opportunity to walk for a cause but also gives you a chance to experience the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.  To help fully appreciate the park, there will be a FB Outdoor Assistant mobile app available to use to further explore the trails and learn more about GSU’s natural areas and student research projects. 

You will also have the opportunity to take a look at the Solo Exhibition Series: Don’t Tread on Me by Chakaia Booker.  The exhibit consists of three outdoor pieces, Serendipity (1998), Meeting Ends (2005) and What’s Not (2009).  Booker is renowned for her work with discarded automobile tires that are cut up into various shapes and sizes and then fastened onto wooden or metal armatures. 

Please see the School of Extended Learning’s website for more details and our online registration form.  Registration fees and donations can be made via debit card, credit card and/or check.

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.

  

GSU’s Office of Continuing Education

The School of Extended Learning’s Office of Continuing Education is responsible for planning and scheduling professional development and continuing education opportunities for individuals interested in advancing professionally and personally.  Many of these programs are a collaborative effort between the College of Business and Public Administration (CBPA) and the Office of Continuing Education and utilize the resources of the CBPA.

Our programs offer the opportunity to acquire advance training and certification with courses such as the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate or the American Home Inspectors Training.  Also our Supply Chain Optimization Leadership Overview course demonstrates the benefits and the approach of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Supply Chain Optimization program that helps reduce risk, increase visibility and builds stronger manufacturers. 

Another exciting, upcoming program is the GSU Faculty Development in International Business (FDIB) Workshops, which will take place on June 10-11th.  Led by the CBPA faculty who are content experts on the relevant topics, this program is sponsored by a US Department of Education grant and is offered at minimum cost to participants. 

Furthermore, in order to provide an even greater selection of programs, Governors State has partnered with OnCourse Learning.  They are an exceptional provider of quality, state approved, customized training solutions, textbooks, and occupational tools for both pre-licensing and continuing education.  Courses include the real estate, appraisal, mortgage, home inspection, IT, engineering, insurance, and bank and credit union industries. 

The university also offers professional development through the Illinois Small Business Development Center at GSU and the International Trade Center.  Both of these organizations offer existing businesses or start-ups an opportunity to receive consulting and training expertise.  Please see the School of Extended Learning’s website for information on all of these continuing educational opportunities.    

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.

GRE Test Preparation Workshops

According to an article from U.S. News and World Report, more than 700,000 people take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) for admission to graduate or business school each year.  In fact, Educational Testing Services reports that now over 800 MBA programs worldwide accept the revised GRE as an alternative to the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).  The GRE includes questions that incorporate verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.

The GRE is similar to the SAT, but there are some significant differences that you will want to know if you plan to take the test.  First, the GRE is a computer-adaptive test and is not done with paper and pencil.  The U.S. News and World Report article explains that, “the difficulty of the questions is based on the accuracy of your answers to previous questions. The better you perform on the first sets of 20 verbal and quantitative reasoning questions, the harder the next sets of 20 questions will be.” 

At GSU’s School of Extended Learning, we offer a GRE Test Preparation course.  During the course, you will acquire strategies in math, reading comprehension, writing, and verbal and quantitative skills to improve GRE scores using acclaimed Cambridge test preparation materials.  Textbook, practice tests, and all course materials are included in the fee. 

By taking the workshop, you will more fully understand the requirements, scoring, and logistics of the GRE.   In addition you will recognize specific question types on the GRE and become familiar with the skill sets that the GRE seeks to test. 

We also offer an online course in partnership with The Princeton Review.  To enroll in the GRE LiveOnline course, you need to go to the Princeton Review website, and during checkout, type in the promo code: GSUGRE.  Please refer to GSU’s School of Extended Learning’s website for more information on our GRE Test Preparation Workshops. 

Source:

usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/articles/2012/04/30/test-prep-6-tips-for-gre-success?int=96ef08,ets.org/gre

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.