
Navigating adult education in the new year
If one of your resolutions for the new year is to learn a new skill, earn a degree or something in between, congratulations! Continuing education — whether for personal enrichment or professional development — is always a good bet, especially in today’s ever-changing world.

Deciding where and how to acquire this new knowledge can be tricky with the many educational institutions, learning formats and credentials available.
Start by reflecting on your educational goals and how you prefer to learn. Are you aiming to earn academic credits for a professional certificate or degree? Do you want to learn a new skill for your business or hobby? Do you prefer to learn online at your own pace or in a classroom with others?
Let’s look at some popular learning avenues and what each has to offer.
Community colleges
Check out your local community college for personal enrichment, professional development or for-credit academic programs such as associate degrees and certificate programs.
Community colleges offer a cost-effective way to build your knowledge or advance your career, particularly in specialized training programs for health care and technology as well as trades such as electrical work or plumbing. Such programs often result in a certification or diploma that can improve your job prospects or affordably provide credits you can transfer to a four-year degree program.
University Extension
With offices in all 72 Wisconsin counties, UW–Madison Extension supports educational programs that help people understand and solve problems where they live and work. Classes include topics ranging from gardening and parenting to civic engagement and mental health.
Courses are conducted by county-based educators who apply knowledge generated by universities or government agencies. These programs may fulfill continuing education requirements for professional certification or licensing.
Colleges and universities
Many colleges and universities offer both for-credit and noncredit programs, which may be completed in person or online. Traditional for-credit programs include undergraduate and graduate degrees, capstone certificates and individual courses needed to fulfill prerequisites.
Noncredit programs include specialized certifications, courses, workshops and micro-credentials that focus on learning for individuals who are not seeking a degree. They may award continuing education units or hours required for licensure in professional fields such as social work and project management. Noncredit programs may also include personal enrichment courses in subjects such as language, music and technology.
Online programs
Online learning platforms such as LinkedIn Learning, EdX and Coursera have exploded in popularity, and for good reason. They offer thousands of courses across a wide range of subjects; some are free to audit, while others assess a fee to demonstrate completion. Many of these platforms partner with universities and industry leaders to offer quality content in high-demand fields.
Community resources
Local nonprofit organizations, libraries and community centers are excellent sources of free or affordable learning programs. Classes often focus on practical skills or vocational training such as budgeting, cooking and mechanical repair. Nonprofits may also partner with local employers to create programs that can lead to future job placement.
The new year presents an ideal time to explore opportunities to enhance your skills, advance your career or explore new interests. With flexible options in format, cost and location, continuing education is more accessible than ever, making it easier to commit to lifelong learning.
The Lifelong Learner is a monthly feature written by UW–Madison’s Continuing Studies staff. Beth Jaggers, academic advising manager, can be reached at [email protected]. This column was originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 12, 2025.
Published on Jan 14 2025
Categories: Adult Career and Special Student Services, News
Tags: adult learners, education planning, Lifelong Learner column