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TRADITIONAL COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
FONTBONNE UNIVERSITY
U.S. News and World Report recently named the private Catholic university one of the best value schools in the Midwest. It has an acceptance rate of 85 percent and a graduation rate of 70 percent.
HARRIS-STOWE STATE UNIVERSITY
The historically Black university in Midtown offers more than 60 majors, minors, certificates, and other programs. The university recently signed an agreement to partner with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency to foster innovative STEM teaching techniques.
LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY
Lindenwood’s Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) program aims to provide “relevant, personalized experiences designed to prepare both traditional students and lifelong learners to meet the changing workforce demands of business and industry.” The affordable courses are designed to help working professionals sharpen their skills.
MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY
Maryville University—which has quickly made a name for its national championship–winning esports program—offers online certificate programs for such areas as blockchain, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, UX/UI, and software development, in addition to hosting continuing education workshops.
MCKENDREE UNIVERSITY
For adult learners and those looking to continue their education, McKendree has a program called McKendree at the Center at Scott Air Force Base. Classes are offered in the evening during an eight- and 16-week blended format, which allows students to work during the day and earn college credit at night.
MISSOURI BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
Missouri Baptist’s adult and online courses make it easy for busy professionals to continue their education. With 12 locations across the metro area, as well as more than 70 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, the private university is also a good option for young professionals.
PRINCIPIA COLLEGE
The private liberal arts college, based on a 2,600-acre campus in Elsah, Illinois, was founded more than a century ago with the purpose of promoting Christian Science. It also offers ample study abroad and experiential learning opportunities.
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY (SLU)
SLU’s School for Professional Studies offers online courses “designed for working adults,” including bachelor’s certificate, and master’s programs taught at an accelerated schedule, with eight-week terms rather than a 16-week semester. Through the School for Professional Studies, students can earn up to 30 credit hours per year. SPS classes are affordable, and lower rates are available to military, veterans, and first responders.
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY (SIU)
With campuses in Edwardsville and Carbondale, SIU offers continuing education and professional development programs, with a mix of online and in-person classes to fit different learning style preferences. Online courses cover such subjects as accounting, business, career training, computer applications, and teaching.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS (UMSL)
UMSL’s Professional Development and Continuing Education programs are an affordable way to dive into new learning opportunities. Certificate programs include public policy administration and computer training, with virtual courses in data analysis, web page design, and more. And UMSL offers an array of graduate degree programs.
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS
WashU offers a plethora of continuing education and professional studies opportunities, including in-person and online courses available on a part-time basis to accommodate working professionals. The Day Audit Program allows some adult students to audit select courses for personal enrichment, while WashU’s Coding Bootcamp provides an opportunity for those aspiring to launch a career in web development.
WEBSTER UNIVERSITY
Webster’s Center for Innovation and Professional Development offers online courses and career training programs for such areas as business, computer applications, hospitality, and legal. And with campuses around the globe, Webster’s TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification program offers the chance to apply for TEFL-specific teaching jobs in such places as South Korea, Brazil, and beyond.
COMMUNITY & JUNIOR COLLEGES
EAST CENTRAL COLLEGE
This two-year college in Union also offers classes in Rolla and Washington, Missouri. In-state tuition is less than $5,000, and the college offers an array of scholarships. Note: Its occupational therapy program has a professional licensure pass rate of 100 percent.
JEFFERSON COLLEGE
With three campuses in Jefferson County (in Hillsboro, Arnold, and Imperial), the community college offers high-quality programs at an affordable price, including continuing education courses.
LEWIS & CLARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Based in Godfrey, Illinois, the college offers in-state tuition for less than $10,000, as well as a range of degree and certificate programs, adult education, and programs geared to working adults.
SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The community college has multiple campuses throughout Illinois (Belleville, Granite City, and Red Bud), and in-state tuition is less than $6,500.
ST. CHARLES COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The college’s continuing education programs are centered around technology, health care, and industry/environmental. For young professionals, you can also find classes to help you make your mark in the workforce and in your career.
ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
SLCC spans three area campuses—in Ferguson, Kirkwood, and near Forest Park—and offers a range of continuing education and online programs. The college grants associate’s degrees and certificates, with more than 700 courses in such subjects as personal computing, fine arts, finance, and more.
SPECIAL FOCUS
GOLDFARB SCHOOL OF NURSING AT BARNES-JEWISH COLLEGE
The nursing college offers not only a bachelor of science in nursing degree, as well as MSN, DNP, and PhD degrees, but Goldfarb also offers an accelerated option for motivated students who want to complete a BSN degree quickly.
LOGAN UNIVERSITY
The Chesterfield-based university caters to people in chiropractic and health sciences. Continuing education learners can participate in specialized seminars on such topics as acupuncture and risk management, in addition to a women’s health symposium.
RANKEN TECHNICAL COLLEGE
The technical college offers a range of vocational degrees and certificate programs, including automotive maintenance, fabrication and welding technology, and more. And thanks to a $25 million federal grant, an advanced manufacturing innovation center is slated to open nearby in north St. Louis.
UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES & PHARMACY IN ST. LOUIS
For more than 150 years, the college has prepared students for careers that make an impact in health care.
NONPROFITS
lesson PlansLaunchCode offers free coding courses to successful applicants, including programs specifically designed for women in tech. Graduates have gone on to work at such companies as Edward Jones, Microsoft, and Mastercard. And NPower provides free tech training, including a 23-week Tech Fundamentals program, offered at Harris-Stowe and SLCC.
