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Continuing Your Education

Our region’s wide array of educational opportunities doesn’t usually come up when we talk about the attributes that make Seattle a great place to live, but we truly are lucky to live in an urban area with so many vocational and academic programs designed to help launch or supercharge careers. Here are several that have intrigued us over the years.

Antioch University, Seattle
2326 6th Avenue, Seattle
206-268-4202 or 888-268-4477
www.antiochseattle.edu

Antioch University Seattle, located in Belltown, is one of five Antioch campuses nationwide dedicated to offering experiential learning and fostering engaged citizens who give back to the community. It builds on its progressive heritage by offering innovative advanced degrees through its School of Education and School of Applied Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy; and its Center for Creative Change offers master’s degrees in communications, environment and the community, management and organizational development.

It also offers a liberal arts bachelor’s completion program and certificate programs for those who want to lead effective change in organizations, businesses and communities. Its Center for Continuing Education features short-term courses and workshops in the areas of education, nonprofits, business, psychology and mediation and certificate programs in coaching, case management and professional mediation.

Argosy University, Seattle
2601-A Elliott Avenue, Seattle
880-897-7119; www.argosytoday.com

Argosy University was formed in September 2001 by the merging of three separate academic institutions: the American School of Professional Psychology; the University of Sarasota, which offered degree programs for working adults in business and education; and the Medical Institute of Minnesota, which prepared skilled allied health care personnel for careers in the booming medical technology fields.

It offers strong degree programs in psychology and behavioral sciences, business education and health sciences, and many classes combine on-campus and online learning to accommodate working schedules.

In addition to its degree programs, it offers professional graduate business certificates for professionals with a bachelor’s or master’s degree who desire additional knowledge in one of seven specialty areas: corporate compliance, finance, health care administration, information systems management, international business, management or marketing. Advanced professional graduate business certificates in accounting, information systems, international business, management and marketing are designed for those who desire additional doctoral-level knowledge but do not want to complete a full PhD program.

Bastyr University
14500 Juanita Drive NE, Kenmore
425-602-3152
www.bastyr.edu

Respected internationally for its science-based natural health programs, Bastyr is a private, accredited university offering a range of graduate and undergraduate degrees, including naturopathic medicine, acupuncture and Oriental medicine, nutrition, midwifery, health psychology, exercise science and herbal sciences. “People who are drawn to Bastyr are passionate about their pursuits and often see themselves as agents for change,” says Director of Admissions Ted Olsen. “When you combine that energy with the amazing knowledge of our faculty, it’s no surprise we are the leader in natural health education.”

Three informational events are planned in August to help future students decide which course of study is right for them, spotlighting naturopathic medicine, graduate programs in nutrition, and an Evening at Bastyr that will showcase all of the university degree programs in natural health. Check the website for exact dates or visit www.bastyr.edu/continuinged to learn about its continuing education program for health care professionals interested in expanding their knowledge and skills.

City University of Seattle
11900 NE 1st Street, Bellevue
425-637-1010 or 888-422-4898
www.cityu.edu

If you already have a college degree in education or are working in the field, City University offers a variety of endorsements which show special training in specific areas, including elementary or special education or English language learners. The university offers several certificate programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. Business certificates include academic ESL, accounting, marketing and project management. Education certificates include alternative routes to teacher certification and professional certification for principals and program administrators. Undergraduate certificate programs offered in the Department of Arts and Sciences are in child and adolescent services and gerontology. The on-site Career Center offers free services for students.

Seattle Pacific University
3307 3rd Avenue W, Seattle
206-281-2000; www.spu.edu

SPU offers certifications through the Continuing Professional Education Department of its School of Education, including school principal, school counseling, program administrator, school superintendent, professional certificates and residency teacher certification. Endorsements build on teaching degrees in subjects including special education, library media, health fitness, reading and math. Distance and online learning is available for many programs.

University of Washington Professional & Continuing Education
Classes offered at different sites in Seattle and Bellevue
206-685-8936 or 888-469-6499;
www.pce.uw.edu

Although the name has changed from UW Extension, UW Professional and Continuing Education carries on the century-old tradition of providing training for mid-career professionals. It offers more than 100 certificate programs, including many that require minimal or no prior professional experience in the field and can be completed in six to nine months. These include human resources management, 3D animation for games and digital media, editing, wetland science and management, paralegal studies, decision making for climate change, urban green infrastructure, health informatics and fundraising management. Classes are generally held in the evening or on the weekend and many are available online.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Bellevue College
3000 Landerholm Circle SE, Bellevue
425-564-1000; www.bellevuecollege.edu

Not surprisingly, given its Eastside location, Bellevue College, which used to be called Bellevue Community College, has a strong informational technology (IT) program as well as a large number of programs in health-related fields including medical informatics and medical imaging and a new bachelor of applied science in radiation and imaging sciences.

Cascadia Community College
18345 Campus Way NE, Bothell
425-352-8000; www.cascadia.edu

Specializing in informational technology, engineering, the green economy and health care, Cascadia offers associate of applied science degrees in environmental technologies and sustainable practices, network technology, and web application programming and technology, as well as 13 shorter-term technical and professional certificates.

Edmonds Community College
20000 68th Avenue W, Lynnwood
425-640-1459; www.edcc.edu

Edmonds offers over 100 associate degrees and certificates in business, health, computers, construction, culinary arts, horticulture, hospitality, and social and human services, with unique programs in greenhouse/nursery operations and management, construction management, energy management, geriatric aid, horticulture therapy aid, multi-skilled health care technician, recreational therapy technician, rehabilitation counseling/service worker and emergency dispatcher programs.

Lake Washington Technical College
11605 132nd Avenue NE, Kirkland
425-739-8100; www.lwtc.edu

Training is available in 41 programs, with more than 100 professional/technical degree and certificate options in information technology, business and service, health and fitness, manufacturing and transportation technologies and arts, language and science.

North Seattle Community College
9600 College Way N, Seattle
206-527-3600; www.northseattle.edu

Sixty-five degree and certificate programs are offered in accounting, business, early childhood education, electronics, engineering technology, health, IT, real estate and watch technology (the only two-year program in the art of Swiss watchmaking and repair in the Western United States).

Seattle Central Community College
1701 Broadway, Seattle
206-587-3800; www.seattlecentral.edu

SCCC is known for its culinary arts program and offers popular programs in dental hygiene, IT, nursing, apparel design, opticianry, business information technology, web design and development and courses in the medical and human services fields. SCCC partners with Seattle Maritime Institute and offers programs in wood construction, marine carpentry and boatbuilding.

Shoreline Community College
16101 Greenwood Avenue N, Seattle
206-546-4101; www.shoreline.edu

Shoreline’s emphasis is on business, marketing and administrative services, education, health and IT and is the only local college offering programs in logistics management, biological lab tech, home health aide, beauty salon management, zero energy building technology, music management and merchandising, recording arts tech, and security and loss prevention services.

South Seattle Community College
6000 16th Avenue SW, Seattle
206-764-5300; www.southseattle.edu

SSCC offers certificate and/or associate degrees in 30 different areas, but its Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Management and its associate degrees and certificates in restaurant, culinary and catering management and banquet operations are not offered anywhere else in the state system.

MORE EDUCATION STORIES ONLINE

Read these additional stories on this website to help you advance your career.

INVESTING IN YOUR EDUCATION
What to consider before returning to school to learn new skills or a new profession.

MBA 101
What can an advanced business degree do for you?

ADAPTING TO A CHANGING WORLD
No longer simply a stepping-stone to a four-year degree, community colleges are at the forefront of career training.

TRICKS TO APPLYING FOR JOBS ONLINE
What you should know before you click “send.”

SURVIVING NIGHT SCHOOL
Balancing work and home is tough enough, but when you add returning to school to the mix, how do you manage?

©Copyright 2011, Caliope Publishing Company