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When Jessica Della-Latta, Executive Director of the Faculty of Education’s Professional and Non-Credit Programs, looks at the growing market of professional studies, she sees countless opportunities.

Offering online professional development courses for working professionals, Queen’s University Professional Studies recently launched . There currently are two non-credit programs available: the Professional Editing Standards Certificate and the Certificate for International Education Professionals.

Comprising five courses, each program is offered online, allowing a greater number of people to access the Queen’s educational experience. Courses are written and taught by experts in the field and, by offering the courses online, candidates have the opportunity to network with colleagues while working on real-world tasks.

For example, the Professional Editing Standards Certificate program is open to all who are looking to add a new skill. Working with Editors Canada, the program acts as a preparation for the national editing exam as well as for other professionals looking to take their editing abilities to the next level.

Throughout the process collaboration has been key, says Ms. Della-Latta, and will continue to be as more programs are added.

“We can look at any profession, find the gaps, and provide a flexible learning opportunity for working professionals. We hire experts at the top of their fields to both develop and instruct the courses. The instructional design team is incredible. They have developed a well-defined process that can help anyone who doesn’t see themselves as a writer produce an excellent course.”

"The potential for growth is exciting,” she says, adding that the Faculty already has a reputation for excellence in online learning with more than 175 credit and non-credit courses available through Continuing Teacher Education and the Faculty’s online graduate programs.

Early feedback shows that as professionals look to add to their skill set they are interested in Queen’s reputation for expertise and quality. They are able to get that through the professional development courses.

Ms. Della-Latta also credits Rebecca Luce-Kapler, Dean of the Faculty of Education, for supporting the Professional Studies unit.

“The thing I love about being at the Faculty of Education is that we are encouraged to think creatively and are given the freedom to try new things. By extending the Faculty of Education’s values of quality learning, community building, and support, we can offer to other professions the same high-quality learning experiences that our teachers expect from us.

”I have an amazing team with a broad vision and positive attitude. Coupled with the support from our Dean, there’s no limit to what we can do.”

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