Leaders in Online and Professional Continuing Education

Get the essential skills and knowledge you need and earn a recognizable credential from the leading association for online and professional continuing education - UPCEA! Bringing you the leading experts with real-world experience in the field, these programs offer high-value, relevant content and actionable takeaways for practitioners at all levels. Engage with peers from across the field in a virtual classroom to strengthen understanding, breadth of knowledge, and skills. A badge will be awarded upon successful completion of each course. See below for courses and events that are now open for registration. 

SAVE with UPCEA Institutional Impact Bundle: UPCEA members get 10 course enrollments for $3,500—saving over $1,000. Flexible access - courses may be taken within one full year from purchase date. Courses can be applied toward the PCO Pro Certificate. Learn more.

UPCEA PCO Professional Certificate

Build your expertise and advance your career in Online and Professional Continuing Education with the UPCEA PCO Professional Certificate. Great price!

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UPCEA PCO Leader Certificate

Elevate your leadership in higher ed with this transformative program designed to empower you to manage people, data, and ideas with purpose and precision.

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UPCEA Course Catalog


Earn essential skills and a recognized credential through UPCEA’s expert-led programs, featuring actionable insights, peer engagement, and high-value content for all levels.

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Upcoming Professional Development Courses

UPCEA's online professional development courses can be taken individually and in any order. Courses are primarily asynchronous and online, and include a weekly live virtual classroom meeting hosted in Zoom. Courses count towards the UPCEA Professional, Continuing, and Online Education Professional (PCO Pro) Certificate. Complete five UPCEA courses within two years and earn your UPCEA PCO Professional Certificate! Learn more.

Understanding Adult Learner and Other Constituencies in Online and Professional Education

Faculty Member: Jennifer Kelly, University of Hawaii at Manoa  

Who are the constituents and stakeholders that compose the ecosystem of online and professional continuing education? What are the unique characteristics and educational needs of adult learners? How do the characteristics of the student market determine how programs are designed and delivered?

This course examines prospective student markets and how to address their educational needs. This course also examines the roles of employers, communities, and government agencies in creating educational opportunities. 

Next Offering: 01/05/2026
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Program Planning and Oversight in Online and Professional Continuing Education  

Faculty Member: Melissa Mahan, University of Texas at San Antonio 

A solid understanding of the program planning process is essential for PCO professionals, especially those involved in developing, designing, and delivering opportunities for diverse learners.

Program planning depends on the contexts and variables present at an institution. This course provides essential background on the program planning process, valuable information sources to guide crucial elements within it, and perspectives PCO professionals should consider when planning programs.

Next Offering: 02/16/2026
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Markets, Marketing, and Market Research in Online and Professional Continuing Education 

Faculty Member: Joshua McCarthy, Johnson and Wales University 

How are new and changing markets identified? How are programs - in both content and format - developed to meet the needs of learners? How can data analysis help shape ongoing understanding of markets? This course will explore the processes and operations that convert markets into enrollments.

Next Offering: 02/16/2026
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