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�2.2 What Is Continuing Education?�

CE is lifelong learning beyond a degree or certificate program that ensures professionals have the latest knowledge in their fields.
For example, there are new advancements in medicine all the time, and patients are more confident knowing that health care professionals are required to stay current.
The same goes for attorneys, who are better representatives because they must stay up to date on changes in the law and legal practice.

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�WHO NEEDS CONTINUOUS EDUCATION?�

Doctors and lawyers aren't the only professionals who need CE - so do cosmetologists, project managers, and fire safety inspectors. In fact, just about any career that requires a license or certification also requires you to complete ongoing CE. CE requirements vary between states, licensing boards, and certifying agencies. Here are just a few examples of careers that typically require CE:
Health Care: Physicians, nurses, dentists, acupuncturists, professional counselors, social workers
Law: Lawyers, paralegals
Business: Accountants, tax preparers, financial professionals
Beauty: Cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians
Other Professions: Architects, engineers, project managers, safety personnel

�HOW DO WE GET CONTINUOUS EDUCATION ?�

CE is offered online, in day-long workshops, or in multi-day conferences. In some cases, you can get credits by reading a book or professional journal.
You might also be able to earn CE credits for teaching or giving a lecture at a professional conference - after all, one of the best ways to learn is to teach others.
Depending on the licensing board or certifying agency, a certain number of hours may need to be earned in person.
In other cases, you can get all your CE credits remotely if you want. Keep in mind, however, that you miss the opportunity to network if you don't attend in-person events.

�Concepts of Continuing education �

It is an all-encompassing term within a broad list of post-secondary learning activities and programs. The term is used mainly in the United States and parts of Canada.
Recognized forms of post-secondary learning activities within the domain include: degree credit courses by non-traditional students, non-degree career training, workforce training, formal personal enrichment courses (both on-campus and online) self-directed learning (such as through Internet interest groups, clubs or personal research activities) and experiential learning as applied to problem solving.

General meaning of continuing education

General continuing education is similar to adult education, at least in being intended for adult learners, especially those beyond traditional undergraduate college or university age.
However, it is not normally considered to include basic instruction such as literacy, English language skills, or programs such as vocational training or GED preparation. Instead, as the term suggests, it is assumed that the student already has a college education and is simply continuing it.

Concept of CE in the United States

Frequently, in the United States, continuing education involves enrollment in college/university credit-granting courses, often by students enrolled part-time, and often offered through a division or school of continuing education of a college/university known sometimes as the university extension or extension school.
Also frequently in the US, it can mean enrollment in non-credit-granting courses, often taken for personal, non-vocational enrichment (although many non-credit courses can also have a vocational function). Also, in the US, many such non-credit courses are offered by community colleges.

�Method and format of materials�

The method of delivery of continuing education can include traditional types of classroom lectures and laboratories. However, many continuing education programs make heavy use of distance learning, which not only includes independent study, but can also include videotaped/CD-ROM material, broadcast programming or Online Education which has more recently dominated the distance learning community.
Many universities such as Southern New Hampshire University and University College University of Denver, have begun to offer hybrid courses. These courses offer adult learners the option of having in-classroom and online learning. Online courses have brought the possibility of obtaining an affordable college education to many of those of to whom it was previously out of reach.

�Method and format of materials�

In addition to independent study, the use of conference-type group study, which can include study networks (which can, in many instances, meet together online) as well as different types of seminars/workshops, can be used to facilitate learning.
A combination of traditional, distance, and conference-type study, or two of these three methods, may be used for a particular continuing education course or program.