Online Classes Offered by Santa Clara

University to offer multiple online continuing education programsKrista ClawsonTHE SANTA CLARAMay 21, 2015

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]anta Clara has moved deeper into the world of online education with a new partnership with Ed4Online, a company that offers online classes.

The Santa Clara sponsored classes are open to anyone who wishes to take them. According to Dr. Rusty Barrier, C.E.O. of Ed4Online, the courses offered are intended for adults who wish to continue their education. These classes do not fufill Santa Clara credits.

Nevertheless, these courses can be valuable to college students by providing supplemental skills and accreditation.

“For example, say a student is working on a Business degree and wanted to develop Human Resources skills as well, but of course [Santa Clara] doesn’t offer a degree in Human Resources,” said  Dr. Christina Enquist, Director of Santa Clara’s Center for Professional Development. “That student could potentially gain that additional experience to expand their marketability by taking HR courses online as a supplement to their Business degree.”

The 41 career, professional development and personal enrichment classes will range in price from 20 dollar introductory classes to more expensive multi-course programs.

“These courses also come with access to a Career Coach that will assist students with polishing their resume, interview skills or even speaking with potential internship or externship opportunities that the student may identify [with],” Barrier said. 

Professional development courses are small classes intended for use by corporate employees seeking continuing education, or, according to Barrier, for professionals looking to gain “soft-skills.”

“Personal enrichment courses are four week micro-courses that can provide valuable career skills for those seeking employment, or as a way to enhance their current job, and also cover topics that are of personal interest to students,” Barrier said.

The Center for Professional Development decided to take on this partnership because it incorporates Santa Clara’s mission statement, according to Dr. Enquist.

“The university strives to create an academic community that educates the whole person,” Dr. Enquist said.  “We realized there are other aspects of education that we need to consider when it comes to providing professional development, so that’s why we offer the personal enrichment courses through this service.”

Santa Clara’s mission statement declares that the university cultivates knowledge and faith to build a more humane,  just and sustainable world.

“We strive to improve our curriculum and to serve communities around the world,” Dr. Enquist said. “So with online courses, people can simply go on the Internet and take the courses from anywhere in the world.”

Dr. Enquist anticipates that a wide variety of individuals will use the program.

Contact Krista Clawson at kclawson@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.