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Adults Head Back to School with Duke Continuing Studies

Mary-Russell Roberson

More than 5,000 students enroll in programs through Duke Continuing Studies each year.

Undergraduates aren't the only students returning to Duke this fall. Adults looking to change careers, challenge themselves in new ways or just have a little fun are signing up for classes with Duke Continuing Studies. Students can earn a professional certificate in financial planning, brush up on foreign languages, learn to dance or attend a weeklong writing workshop in the mountains -- among hundreds of other options.

Duke Continuing Studies is seeing increased interest in programs that offer professional certificates.

"We discovered that people were looking for something to enhance their careers, or they wanted to enter a new field," says Dee Holland, director of professional certificates. "This is their quick pathway to do that."

Susan Cullen was a real estate broker when she started the paralegal certificate program, which is offered in Durham and Charlotte. She continued to work while taking classes on evenings and weekends for six months. After earning her certificate, she landed a job at Nicholls & Crampton, P.A. in Raleigh.

"Duke has a wonderful reputation and they provide us with the tools to get a job in the legal field and to do a good job," Cullen says.

Bill Keesler, a former newspaper reporter and editor, earned a different professional certificate -- one in nonprofit management. Now the director of a nonprofit food bank in Lexington, he says he uses on a daily basis the skills he learned at Duke.

"I just feel really well prepared for my job," Keesler says. "And the board members told me that the fact that I was taking the classes through Duke was a key factor in their hiring me."

Participants in the nonprofit management program can take an intensive eight-day track or take one class at a time over several months.

Keesler chose the latter route and took classes in Durham and at satellite sites in Raleigh, Greensboro, High Point and Hickory. About 200 people earn the certificate each year. Program director Nancy Love says some come from as far away as California and Utah to attend classes.

Many of the professional certificate programs begin in late August. To sign up for classes or get additional information, visit learnmore.duke.edu.