Courses

Breakfast Roundtable

Fee:  Free

Dates:June 11, 2025

Time:  9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Event Description:  

You're invited! Join the Governors State University School of Extended Learning for a casual and informative Breakfast Roundtable on Wednesday, June 11th at 9:00 AM. Come enjoy delicious treats – donuts, coffee, and bagels – while connecting with our team and learning about the diverse and impactful programs we offer. This is a fantastic opportunity for our Worknet Office partners to discover how SXL is empowering learners and strengthening our community. We look forward to a lively discussion and building even stronger collaborations!

Title: Business Chinese

Fees: Free

Teaching Modality: Online Synchronous

Dates: Monday, 8/25/25 - Sunday, 12/7/25

Days: TBA

Time: TBA

Description:

This course introduces students to Mandarin Chinese with a focus on business communication and cultural understanding. Designed for students pursuing careers in international business, the course covers essential language skills and business-specific vocabulary while providing insights into Chinese business practices and culture. Students will engage in task-based learning and develop professional communication skills. Upon completion, students will have the opportunity to earn official proficiency credentials through the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI).

Credit by Prior Learning

Fee:  Free

Dates: April 15, 2025

Time:  6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Event Description:  Join us to learn more about how to earn credit by prior learning: https://www.govst.edu/PLA/  

Please take a look at the CPL quiz: https://www.govst.edu/PLA-Assessment/

Please answer these questions and a member of our team will be in touch to review your experience with you. After you take our CPL quiz, please take a few minutes to review our YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU9nhrN9XhE  

And here are some links to familiarize yourself with, please use them to help locate any official record of test results, certifications, and accolades you have received. (You may need to contact the original organization that issued the exam or certification): 

Military Students 

• Dantes: https://www.dantes.mil/dsst/
• JST Transcript: https://jst.doded.mil/jst/

Credit through testing & advance placement, contact

• CLEP:  https://clep.collegeboard.org/ 
• AP Exam Credit: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/ 
• GSU Testing Center: https://www.govst.edu/testing-center/

Non-Credit Credentials

An internal process of awarding academic credit for non-credit workshops/trainings offered through the School of Extended Learning. 

Credit through Portfolio

Please connect with your academic advisor advising@govst.edu and Credit for Prior Learning Office, cpl@govst.edu to request eligibility to submit a portfolio for credit through our CPL class, IDSS 3300. 

GSU Employee SEEDS Info Session

Fee:  Free

Dates: April 18, 2025

Times: 1:00pm, Live Session via Zoom

Course Description:  Are you thinking of enhancing your skills?

Or perhaps you are seeking new learning opportunities. We want to help you grow!

S.E.E.D.S. (Securing Excellence through Employee Development and Support)

A Professional Development Opportunity for Faculty and Staff

Learn more via You Tube: https://youtu.be/HgwEymmxFQ4

The S.E.E.D.S. Professional Development Program exemplifies principles that support employees in their path of career and professional development. The program recognizes the importance of employee learning and training as well as the benefits of providing access to resources.

Governors State University (GSU) acknowledges that training and development is essential to employee growth and excellence.

GSU Employees can now take up to two courses per year through the School of Extended Learning (SXL) to support their professional growth.

Funding is available through the S.E.E.D.S. Program (Approved application required*)

Don't Wait! Take advantage of this opportunity and get started today!

*Applications and additional information are available on the GSU portal under:

HR / Employee Forms / Professional Development at the following link: https://mygsu.govst.edu

Applications should be sent to HR@govst.edu

For questions please contact:

S.E.E.D.S. Program

Kristina Houston

Assoc. Dir of Talent Management & Training at khouston3@govst.edu

SXL Course Enrollment

Michelle Sebasco

Dir. of Ext. Learning & Academic Partnership at msebasco@govst.edu

Take a look at our Career Training Catalog here: https://careertraining.ed2go.com/gsutrainings/

And here are some others; most of these are taught by GSU faculty: https://www.enrole.com/govst/jsp/index.jsp

Title: Introduction to Mandarin Chinese

Fees: Free

Teaching Modality: Online Synchronous

Dates: Tuesday, 01/20/26 - Monday, 05/11/26

Dates: TBA

Time: TBA

Description:

This introductory course provides a foundation in Mandarin Chinese, focusing on speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills while fostering cultural understanding. Designed for students with no prior experience, the course covers essential vocabulary, grammar, and conversational skills needed for everyday communication. Through interactive lessons and real-world applications, students will develop confidence in using Mandarin in practical settings.

Next Generation Conference 

Conference Fees: 

• Early Bird $389, deadline August 25
• Group Rate $299 per person, must 2 to 4 people per institution 
• September Registration $425 

Dates / Times: 

September 24 evening, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. hotel check-in 

September 25, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

September 26, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Conference Description: The Next Generation Leadership Conference 2025 is designed to develop and empower a social cohort of emerging leaders in higher education who will transform institutions through a justice-oriented approach to leadership. In today's rapidly evolving landscape, higher education leaders face unprecedented challenges across social, financial, political, and human resource dimensions. This conference provides a comprehensive professional development experience that equips emerging leaders with the knowledge, skills, and networks to effectively navigate these complex challenges and drive meaningful change.

Title:  Understanding Individualized Education Programs: Training in Language and Practice

Course Fee: 50.00 

Dates: 6 weeks,  once per semester (approx. 3 hours of mental effort per week)

Days: online, asynchronous

Time: self-paced

Description: This six-week, self-paced online course is designed to make the special education process more accessible, transparent, and empowering. Participants will build essential knowledge about Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), including their legal foundations, key components, and the roles and responsibilities of IEP team members. The course is designed to help parents, paraprofessionals, and general education teachers participate more confidently in IEP development and decision-making through clear explanations, real-world examples, and user-friendly resources. Emphasis is placed on demystifying language used in IEPs.