Join us on the Music Yacht - a state-of-the-art recording studio built into a river boat. You will get a behind-the-scenes look at an actual recording session with top list musicians including many members of the Legendary Peterson family. . Witness the building of the layers of a song in front of your eyes and ears. Don’t miss this special night of music creation featuring a young aspiring artist. Meet at 99 Harriet Island Road, Miller Dock Gate E, St. Paul, MN 55117 NOTE: Transportation to the dock is on your own. All events on the Music Yacht stay at the dock. Ages 21+. If the tour is sold out, please add your name to the waitlist. We will let you know if spots become available.Here are links to the entire Music Yacht Series: Sept 9 "How a Hit Record is Recorded" Sit in on a live recording session at the Music Yacht Recording Studio Sept 17 Private Tasting & Demo with Chef Brian Ingraham of Hope Breakfast Bar on the Music Yacht Sept 23 Private Tasting & Demo with Chef Craig Kaiser of Cry Baby Craig's on the Music Yacht Oct 2 Swing Dance: Swing Into Autumn with Steve Clark and The Working Stiffs on the Music Yacht Oct 6 Will Steger Arctic Adventures on the Music Yacht Oct 7 Ukulele Group Lesson & Special Concert by Katy Vernon on the Music Yacht Oct 9 Native American: Story of the Beat of a Nation & Drum Circle on the Music Yacht Oct 17 Mississippi River Songs w/ Robert Robinson and Tim Frantzich on the Music YachtAdditional Events on the Music Yacht:- Aug 18th Saxofunk- Featuring Ronny Loew RnB, Soul Saxophone.- Aug 25th Whitesidewalls. Rock and Roll Revue

Accelerate your organization's success with AI. Learn how to leverage AI to cut costs, enhance data insights, automate tasks, and optimize efficiency. Master AI concepts, techniques, and strategic planning to drive innovation and position your business for the future. Courses in this certificate must be taken in the following order: Introduction to ChatGPT Intermediate AI AI Planning and Strategies Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ

Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard computer illustration software. Use Illustrator to draw shapes and design logos, flyers, posters, banners, business cards or any other vector graphics for print or web. Learn Adobe Illustrator fundamentals to set up a print document and use various tools to draw, type and color all kinds of shapes and illustrations. Discover how to efficiently manage layers and artboards, and create print-ready PDF documents. Software Requirements: Adobe Illustrator. More information on Adobe Creative Cloud software can be found at adobe.com This class can be taken on its own or as part of the Graphic Design Software Essentials Certificate Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class details: Unit 1: Getting to Know the Interface and Drawing Tools Interface menus, tools and panels. Working with various drawing and transformation tools Drawing anything from simple to complex shapes and illustrations. Unit 2: Working with Color and Text Working with color panels in the software Creating, managing and applying color and color groups Learning how to type and format text using various text formatting and styling tools and panels. Unit 3: Working with Layers and Pen tool Layers and layer management. Working with the Pen tool. Modifying a drawing using Pen tool options. Unit 4: Working with Artboards Creating and managing multiple Artboards Learning how to layout and design corporate package Business cards, letterhead and envelopes Creating print-ready PDF files

Adobe InDesign is the industry standard page-layout program that works with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop seamlessly. InDesign allows you to create simple to complex multi-page documents such as brochures, flyers, books and magazines. This course is a comprehensive exploration of InDesign tools and capabilities to create professional documents. Learn how to manage the InDesign environment, create, setup, design, enhance and finalize multi-page documents. Software Requirements: Adobe InDesign. More information on Adobe Creative Cloud software can be found at adobe.com This class can be taken on its own or as part of the Graphic Design Software Essentials Certificate Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class details: Unit 1: Getting to Know the Interface and Setting up a Document Interface menus Tools Panels Starting and setting up a multi-page document in InDesign Unit 2: Working with Objects and Color Learning to work with color panels Creating, managing and applying color to elements Inserting and managing images and illustrations into an InDesign document Unit 3: Working with Text Learning about insert and flow text to multiple pages Managing long text documents Text editing in InDesign documents Unit 4: Typography Advance typography tools and menus Character and paragraph settings and styles Creating print-ready PDF files.

This fundamental course covers Adobe Photoshop CC most commonly used tools, menus and panels. Learn all the basics of Photoshop to effectively work with selection and editing tools, layers, and masks to edit, retouch and enhance existing images or create your own composite digital art work. Impress your business organization, friends and family by enhancing their photos and create magazine cover quality enhanced images. Software Requirements: Adobe Photoshop. More information on Adobe Creative Cloud software can be found at adobe.com This class can be taken on its own or as part of the Graphic Design Software Essentials Certificate Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class details: Unit 1: Getting to know the Interface and Selection Tools Interface menus Tools Panels Working with the various Selection tools Unit 2: Working with Layers and Masks Layers and layer management Non- destructive editing using masks How to type and format text Using various type formatting and style tools and panels Unit 3: Image Correction & Enhancement Photo correction and enhancement tools Crop, dodge and burn Recoloring, retouching Healing brushes Unit 4: Using the Drawing Tools How to use the Pen tool Other drawing tools in Photoshop Advanced drawing and selection File formats How to save files for print or web

The beautiful old houses on Architect Avenue in Northeast Minneapolis began with a contest in 1905 between the most talented architects of the Midwest. The challenge was to design a cottage that could be built for $1,500 that would combine elegance, utility and affordability. The contest culminated in a grand celebration and the cottages were planned to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Today, all six homes still exist on this nearly forgotten quiet corner of Hennepin County. Join urban historian Kathy Kullberg to learn about the six architects, their house designs, the last days and the final outcome of the competition. We will meet at Architect Avenue which you can enter at Central Avenue NE and Columbia Parkway.

Designed for beginners, we will have you speaking and reading Spanish in no time. You will practice the basic building blocks of the language and common idiomatic expressions. You will know enough vocabulary and grammar for simple conversations, and you will learn how to ask and answer questions. Whether you speak some Spanish and need a refresher, or no Spanish, you will complete the course with the skills to communicate in Spanish. Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class details: Unit 1: The alphabet: Vowels and consonants Ser and Estar How to Ask Questions Vocabulary Unit 2: Colors, countries and numbers Colors Countries and Nationalities Numbers Unit 3: More vocabulary Telling Time The Calendar More Vocabulary Unit 4: Expressions Tener: To have Vocabulary and expressions with tener Estar: To Be Unit 5: Conjugation Conjugation of Regular Verbs AR Verbs ER Verbs IR Verbs Unit 6: Irregular verbs Hay Irregular Verbs Present Tense Stem-Changing Verbs Unit 7: The near future The Near Future Vocabulary Unit 8: Present progressive More Ar Verbs Vocabulary Present Progressive

Are you ready to take control of your business finances? Whether you're an entrepreneur or looking to upskill, our Bookkeeping Certificate program will equip you with the knowledge needed to measure and manage your financial health. Don't be clueless when it comes to your money - even if you outsource your bookkeeping, understanding the process is crucial. Join us and learn the ins and outs of cash basis accounting for a thriving business. Bookkeeping Certificate courses must be taken in the following order. (Scroll down for course details): Understanding Debits and Credits General Ledger and Month End Procedures Closing Procedures and Financial Statements Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class Details: Understanding Debits & Credits Unit 1: The accounting equation and categories The Accounting Equation The Five Accounting Categories The Chart of Accounts Account Placement Activity ~ Categorizing Accounts Cash Basis Accounting vs. Accrual Basis Accounting Unit 2: Debits and credits T-Accounts Debits and Credits Double Entry Bookkeeping Analyze Financial Activities (Transactions) Unit 3: Assets, liabilities, and owner's equity Recording Transactions for Assets Recording Transactions for Liabilities Recording Transactions for Owner’s Equity Unit 4: Revenue and expenses Recording Transactions for Revenue Recording Transactions for Expenses Activity ~ Recording Transactions General Ledger & Month End Procedures Unit 1: The General Ledger What is the General Ledger Why must the general ledger balance Posting to the general ledger Activity ~ Posting to The General Ledger Unit 2: The unadjusted trial balance What is the unadjusted trial balance Verify debit and credit balances Finding errors Activity ~ Find The Errors Unit 3: Correcting entries and adjusting entries Determine correcting entries Adjusting entries and how to prepare them Posting correcting entries and adjusting entries to the general ledger Activity ~ Preparing Entries and Posting to General Ledger Unit 4: The adjusted trial balance Verify the accuracy of the adjusted trial balance Prepare monthly bank reconciliations Activity ~ Prepare a Bank Reconciliation Closing Procedures & Financial Statements Unit 1: Prepare a worksheet What is a worksheet Columns included in the worksheet Completing each column Unit 2: The income statement Review the worksheet columns for the Income Statement Prepare the income statement Determine a profit or loss Unit 3: The balance sheet Review the worksheet columns for the Balance Sheet Prepare the balance sheet Unit 4: Closing entries and statement of changes in owner's equity Prepare the balance sheet Prepare a statement of changes in owner’s equity Applying year-end steps monthly or quarterly

Civil Rights Tour postponed to April, 2027. If interested, please enroll and we will contact you when we have more information on this tour! Thank you.

Join us this October to photograph the spectacular fall colors around Duluth! Tour includes 4 guided photo shoots over our twp-day trip. Bonus: Saturday evening shoot of the lighted aerial lift bridge. Bring your digital camrera or cell phones (cell phones with advanced quality.will result in better distance photos) Gil Dignan, resident Mpls Community Ed photography instructor for over 30 years, will be on the bus with us. As we head north, Gil will lead a class reviewing the settings on your phone, offer pro tips and share photo ideas. Our group will stay overnight at the Hampton Inn Canal Park. Price includes 4 Guided Photo Shoots,, Motorcoach Bus, 1 Night Lodging at Hampton Inn Canal Park, Coffee and Rolls Sat. am at Tobies in Hinkley, 2 Light Lunches, Sun am Breakfast at Hotel & Photography Guide on the bus. On Your Own: One Dinner in Canal Park area. TIME: 6:45 am Board Bus 7:00 am Bus Departs Southwest High School @ 7:00 pm @ Return to Southwest High School PICK UP LOCATION: Southwest High School - 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN 55410 NOTE: Only transfer of registration available after August 3rd. No refunds unless we can fill your spot from our waitlist. Deposit of $400 due with registration. NOTE: Final payment due August 3rd. Final Payment Due: 60 Days Prior to Departure Overnight Tour Cancelation Policy: - 60 Days Prior to Departure: 100% Refund of Trip Fee less $5 Processing Fee - 59-45 Days Prior to Departure: 90% Refund of Trip Fee OR $50 admin fee if we can fill your spot (or if you find someone to fill your spot) - 44-16 Days Prior to Departure: 50% of Trip Fee OR $100 admin fee if we can fill your spot (or if you find someone to fill your spot) - 14 Days or Less: We will work to get you a return for some recoverable costs. This will vary by tour and date of cancelation. No guarantees. If tour is sold out, please enroll for the waitlist. We will notify you is a spot becomes available.

Join us as we explore holiday ethnic treasures with Dave Bredemus! We will tour the Mayowood Mansion in Rochester, Minnesota, with its English Style architecture and themed Christmas Tour. Historical stories from the Mayo holiday family traditions will be experienced. Stories and decorations from the 1900s through the mid century years at Mayowood will be presented by local guides. Decorah, Iowa, located in the Driftless Region and settled by Norwegian immigrants will be our homebase for this tour. The city will be decked out for the Christmas season for us to enjoy. We will stay at the Historic Hotel Winneshiek situated in the heart of Decorah, Iowa, and is located in a thriving downtown full of local shops, galleries and unique holiday attractions, which we will have time to visit. We will also have a private tour of the Vesterheim Norwegian Immigration Museum which will have some special holiday displays for us to enjoy along with the museum itself. An evening tour to Spillville, Iowa, is planned. This historic Czech town with his historic church called Saint Wenceslas will be a unique visit at night. We will learn about world famous composer Anton Dvořák’s visit to Spillville and the time he spent in 1893 at the church of Saint Wenceslas. We will tour Saint Wenceslas and hear local musicians play Christmas carols on the 1873 church organ, on which Dvořák played during his visit. We will end our evening in Spillville with kolache’s made from local Czech bakers. On day two, we will tour the city of Decorah, seeing historic neighborhoods, homes and parks. The bus tour of Decorah will also take us to the winter waterfall and ice cave in Decorah and see Decorah’s bald eagles, plus other historic sites in town. On the trip home, we will tour Preston, Minnesota, and have lunch at one of the favorite restaurants in Southern Minnesota, the Branding Iron. Time permitting, our last stop on our two-day tour will be in Chatfield, Minnesota, to tour the Prairie/Carnegie Library. All adults 21+ are welcome to join the tour! Price includes: Coach Bus Transportation, 1 Night Lodging at Historic Winneshiek Hotel, Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner, Vesterheim & Mayowood Tours, Organ Concert. Koloches and other scheduled admissions. NOTE: Meals on your own - 1 lunch First Pick-Up Location: Lake Harriet United Methodist Church - 4901 Chowen Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410 - 7:15 am Board Coach Bus - 7:30 am Bus Departs Second Pick-Up Location: West 7th Community Center - 265 Oneida St, St Paul, MN 55102 - 8:00 am @ Return: 5:00 West 7th Community Center and 5:30 pm Lake Harriet United Methodist Church Deposit of $100 due with registration. NOTE: Final payment due Oct 9th. Final Payment Due: 60 Days Prior to Departure Overnight Tour Cancelation Policy: - 60 Days Prior to Departure: 100% Refund of Trip Fee less $5 Processing Fee - 59-45 Days Prior to Departure: 90% Refund of Trip Fee OR $50 admin fee if we can fill your spot (or if you find someone to fill your spot) - 44-16 Days Prior to Departure: 50% of Trip Fee OR $100 admin fee if we can fill your spot (or if you find someone to fill your spot) - 14 Days or Less: We will work to get you a return for some recoverable costs. This will vary by tour and date of cancelation. No guarantees. If tour is sold out, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.

St. Paul is a city of 17 unique neighborhoods. This tour will visit many of them including Daytons Bluff, Swede Hollow, Lowertown, Fort Road/West 7th, Rondo, West Side and Summit Avenue, plus additional neighborhoods. During the past decades, St. Paul's neighborhoods have been working hard to re-capture their identity. On this tour we will see historical landmarks and modern structures that have shaped St. Paul's identity as we ride along with historian Dave Bredemus on a motorcoach bus. We will also learn about the urban challenges St. Paul faces as the city moves through the 21st Century. Learn about immigrants past and present. Please join us! Tour guides: Dave Bredemus and local guides. Includes: Motorcoach Bus, Guided Narration, Bakery Stop, and All Admissions. Not included: Lunch (we will find an interesting location in St. Paul where you can pick from many restaurants). 1ST PICK UP: 9:30 AM Board Bus - Lake Harriet United Methodist Church - 4901 Chowen Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410 2ND PICK UP: 10 AM at West 7th Community Center - 265 Oneida St, St Paul, MN 55102 Bus Returns to 4:30 PM to West 7th Community Center and 5 PM to Lake Harriet United Methodist Church. NOTE: Only transfer of registration available after September 20th. 75% refund if we are able to fill you spot from the waitlist. If tour is sold out, please add your names to the waitlist. We will let you know if tickets become available.

Join us for a delightful day of dining and learning about Asian culture and food. We scouted around and put together a multi-Asian progressive dinner: delectable finger foods, appetizers, salads, main courses, and desserts at the most delicious and distinctive Asian restaurants. The tour will take you to the crossroads of the world presenting unique spices, international flavors, and specialty foods shaped by each country's geography, plants, agricultural customs and eating preferences. Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Kurdish, and Hmong, we will sample them all. Includes: Motorcoach Bus, Guided Narration, Bakery Stop, and All Admissions. Beverages available to purchase at each restaurant. 1ST PICK UP: 2:00 PM Board Bus - Lake Harriet United Methodist Church - 4901 Chowen Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410 2ND PICK UP: 2:30 PM at West 7th Community Center - 265 Oneida St, St Paul, MN 55102 Bus Returns to 6:30 PM to West 7th Community Center and 7 PM to Lake Harriet United Methodist Church. NOTE: Only transfer of registration available after October 12th. 75% refund if we are able to fill you spot from the waitlist. If tour is full, please add your name to the wait list. We will notify you if space becomes available.

Go Behind-the-Scenes with The Texas Tenors! - Billboard #1 Recording Artists- 3-Time Emmy Award Winners- 2022 Texas Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees Minneapolis Community Ed has an exclusive opportunity to experience the Texas Tenors' pre-show sound check, Q & A with John, Marcus & JC, followed by a group photo with The Texas Tenors & The 3 Bottle Band -- all before the concert!Our day begins with VocalEssense Tenor Jared Campbell on the bus with us as we travel to St. Cloud for The Texas Tenors Concert! Jared will share insights and musical samplers to keep us entertained while we are on the road!Tour Highlights: - Short guided St. Cloud City Tour highlighting their vibrant community -Private lunch in the Yeats Room at the Olde Brick House Irish restaurant-Pre-Show Sound Check, Q & A & Group Photo with the Texas Tenors & The 3 Bottle Band-The Texas Tenors Concert at the Historic Paramount Center for the Arts The Texas Tenors are the most successful music group and third highest selling artist in the history of America's Got Talent! Since appearing on the series in 2009, JC, Marcus and John have released 5 studio albums, 3 PBS Specials, 5 DVDs, multiple singles and 2 children's books that have earned them impressive recognition including 3 Emmy Awards, The Gelett Burgess Award for Excellence in Children's Literature and the distinction of being Billboard Magazine's #10 Classical Artist in the World. The tenors' most recent albums "Outside the Lines", "Rise" and "A Collection of Broadway and American Classics" all debuted at #1 on the Billboard Charts. These classically trained, versatile tenors have performed more than 2500 concerts around the world including headline shows in Las Vegas, China and a 24-city tour of the United Kingdom. Recently they were honored to be included among the top 50 acts in the world and the only vocal group from the United States invited to appear on NBC’s America’s Got Talent: The Champions, All-stars edition. You will hear music from their new #1 album along with rousing patriotic favorites and everything from Country to Classical! * ·Check out The Texas Tenors * ·Listen to The Texas Tenors' MusicPrice includes: Coach Bus Transportation, Tenor Guide Jared Campbell on the bus, Concert Tickets, Private Meet & Greet with the Texas Tenors, Lunch, and Guided City Tour.1st Pick-Up Location: West 7th Community Center - 265 Oneida St, St Paul, MN 55102 - 8:00 am Board Bus - 8:15 am Bus Departs 2nd Pick-Up Location: Lake Harriet United Methodist Church - 4901 Chowen Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410 - 8:45 am Bus Departs Approximate Return: 6:00 pm Minneapolis & 6:30 pm St. Paul Day Trip Cancelation Policy: 30 Days before tour - Full Refund less $5 29 Days or Less before the tour - You can transfer your registration to another person. 75% refund if we are able to fill your spot from our wait list. If tour is sold out, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.

Successful professionals in the workplace use financial information to aid effective decision making. The Certificate in Accounting and Finance for Non-Financial Managers explains financial concepts and accounting processes utilized in most businesses. It provides practical techniques that increase your effectiveness and career. Get a foundation to understand the seven steps in the accounting cycle, and use financial information in decision making. Analyze resource allocation, evaluate financial performance, and maximize cash flow. Learn how to assess and analyze business reports to make smart decisions about budgeting, setting goals, and assessing performance within your area of influence. Courses: Accounting and Finance for Non-Financial Managers Cash is King Financial Analysis and Planning for Non-Financial Managers Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class Details: Accounting & Finance for Non-Financial Managers Unit 1: Introduction to finance The Vocabulary of Finance The Four Basic Elements of Finance The Basic Financial Statements Unit 2: Introduction to accounting Basic Terminology The Purpose of Accounting The Accounting Cycle Preparing Financial Statements Unit 3: Managing liabilities Overview of Liabilities The Liabilities of a Business Short-Term Liabilities Long-Term Liabilities Unit 4: Financial planning Overview of Financial Planning The Importance of Financial Planning The Business Planning Process Cash is King Unit 1: Cash flow strategies Why cash is so important in business What are the cash-critical stages in business What internal sources of cash are possible What potential external sources of cash there are Unit 2: Reporting and evaluating cash flow Review of the Cash Flow Statement Review of Projected Cash Flow Report What the Cash Cycle communicates What improvements can be made to shorten the cash cycle Calculating cash cycle Unit 3: Projecting cash needs How much cash the business needs When cash injections are needed Which cash needs will internal sources be able to cover Which cash needs must be met through external sources Making comparisons with other businesses in the same industry Unit 4: Funding requests What debt sources of cash are possible What are the potential equity sources of cash What requirements different funding sources have Making a pitch to investors Approaching potential lenders for financing Financial Analysis & Planning Unit 1: Financial strategies Your Role in Financial Decision Making Who is responsible for the financial decisions in your company? The Goal of Business Understand the Language of Finance Accounting as a Language Learn the Language Visual Activity – Accounting Process Accounting and Recordkeeping Systems Self Check – Account Categories Read the Story A Word about Financial Concepts Financial Concept: The Accounting Equation Financial Concept: The Matching Principle The Common Financial Statements Income Statement The Balance Sheet Statement of Cash Flows The Purpose of Financial Statements Unit 2: Financial dashboard - introduction to financial gauges Understand Basic Financial Concepts Introduction The Story Statements Tell Financial Concept: The Accounting Equation Financial Concept: The Profit Matching Principle Financial Concept: The Fund Matching Principle Financial Concept: Cash Basis vs. Accrual Basis Financial Concept: Cash vs. Profits Financial Concept: Debt vs. Equity (Optimum Capital Structure) Financial Strategies Financial strategies stem from business goals Take a Look: Example Financial Strategies Financial Gauges Introduction to Financial Gauges Your Financial Gauges Profitability-based gauges Performance-based gauges Reading Your Financial Gauges The Story Financial Gauges Tell Research and Analysis Unit 3: Financial Gauges - Profitability Profitability Gauges Ratio Analysis Financial Gauge: Net Profit Margin (or) The Bottom Line Financial Gauge: Gross Profit Margin Financial Gauge: Operating Margin Using Profitability Ratios The Components of Profitability The Origin of Profits Sales and Expenses Sales Sales Strategies Pricing Strategies Cost of Goods Sold and Cost of Sales Cost of Goods Sold Gross Profit Margin Gross Profit Analysis and Planning Evaluate Profitability of Product or Service Lines Expenses Budget vs. Actual Analysis Cost Management and Efficiency Unit 4: Financial Gauges - Performance Making Money The Goal of Business Value Growth Company Resources Taking Advantage of Assets Tangible vs. Intangible Assets Cash Making the Most of Liabilities and Equity Liabilities Equity Performance Financial Gauges Financial Gauge: Current and Quick Ratio (Liquidity) Financial Gauge: Return on Assets Financial Gauge: Return on Equity Financial Gauge: Debt to Equity Ratio Financial Analysis and Planning Summary Downtown Publishing Financial Performance Analysis Summary

This Certificate offers you an introduction to the use of games for business purposes. Learn the basics of designing both video and analog games, with a focus on games beyond entertainment. In the first course, Explore game design resources, mechanics, and verbs used in different games. Develop game ideas and understand how to work with game developers. In the second course, discover the basics of the video game design process, main video game genres, and use a game development application to start creating games. Completing this Certificate in Basic Game Design will equip you with knowledge and skills to create games and understand game design. Courses must be taken in order: Introduction to Game Design Intermediate Video Game Design Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class details: Introduction to Game Design Unit 1: What Makes a Game? Practical Definition for Game The Anatomy of a Game Games and Play Different Types of Games Unit 2: Essentials of Design Getting Beyond a Game Idea Game Verbs and Game Mechanics Documentation Test Early, Test Often Unit 3: Game Design: Solo and in Teams Defining Development Needs Roles in Game Design Finding Design and Development Partners Unit 4: Serious Games & Gamification Games Beyond Entertainment Designing "Serious" Games Gamification Designing Gamification Systems Intermediate Video Game Design Unit 1: A brief history of Video Game Development Arcades & Consoles From PCs to Multiplayer Play a Game -Game Analysis Game Maker Introduction Unit 2: Player Motivation Geographics, demographics, and psychographics Who Plays Why We Play Game Maker Making Art: About Sprites, Objects, Rooms Unit 3: Platforms, Genres and Story Elements Game Application: The Audience Platforms & Player Modes Story Elements: Premise, Backstory, Synopsis, Theme, & Setting Character Archetypes & Character Development Game Maker: Programming Events & Actions Unit 4: The Production Process Documentation: The Game Design Doc Creating the Team Production Phases Marketing Game Maker: Your First Game

Begin by understanding the format, construction, and successful techniques of writing good business reports and proposals. Improve your skills with editing and proofreading. Discover what good journalists know and learn how to write a news story, press release, or other publicity notice that stands out in the workplace. Enhance your career by mastering critical communication skills that will help you move forward and stand out in your organization. Courses (click link for details): Business Writing Effective Copywriting Writing News and Press Releases Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class details: Business Writing Unit 1: Writing as a process Audience, Purpose, and Medium Outlining for Successful Writing Organization Models (Choosing a Model that Works) Principles of Business Communication Unit 2: Written communication in the workplace Writing Reports (formal and informal) Drafting and Revision Writing the First Draft Constructing Openings and Closings that Work Unit 3: Writing a proposal Writing for Your Readers Writing Effective Content Safeguarding Users Ethical Considerations Unit 4: Collaborative writing and research Research and Team Writing Collaborating Across Departments Working Through Conflict Effective Copywriting Unit 1: Copywriting essentials How to tell the difference between bad copy and good copy The art of the perfect sentence Developing your message Crafting your document roadmap Adapting your style to the audience and message Unit 2: Getting to the point Clarity and brevity: Less is more Active vs. Passive Voice Cutting the clutter Using concrete examples and avoiding unwarranted superlatives Unit 3: Self Editing Leaving yourself time for revisions Avoiding common grammar mistakes and punctuation pitfalls Subject, verb and object agreement Fact checking The benefits of having an in-house style guide Unit 4: Creating attention-grabbing press releases Writing benefit-driven copy Setting the right tone Language to use and language to avoid Writing a great headline Writing News and Press Releases Unit 1: The skills good journalists have What journalists know how to do How to think like your audience Kinds of publicity notices Keys to successful publicity notices Unit 2: Writing a good news story The inverted pyramid The 5 Ws and H How not to bury the lead Writing a good headline for your story Unit 3: Creating the successful press release The press release format Quotes, how many to use, who to quote and how How and where to highlight your organization and contact Avoiding the direct sales pitch Unit 4: Distributing your press release Targeting media, journalists and audiences Email press releases Print press releases Getting attention

In today's business world, customer service plays a crucial role in every organization's success. As technology advances, the need for human interaction with customers becomes even more critical. Whether it's retaining customers, serving your audience, or converting potential inquiries into sales, good customer service is now essential. Improve your customer service skills to advance your career, enhance productivity, and contribute to your organization's success. Discover exceptional techniques for customer service that are not found anywhere else. Courses (click link for course details): Keys to Customer Service Extraordinary Customer Service Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class details Keys to Customer Service Unit 1: Understand Service Matters Longevity and Loyalty Cost of a Lost Customer Engage Your Customer Unit 2: Listen to Your Customer Active Listening Avoid Improper Listening The Power of Feedback Unit 3: Web Sites and Electronic Communication Web-Based Customer Service Disadvantages of Web-Based Customer Service Evaluate Your Web-Based Customer Service Unit 4: Customer Turnoffs Exceed customer expectations Recognize and categorize customer turnoffs Deal with customer expectations and turnoffs Extraordinary Customer Service Unit 1: Understanding your customer Why customer service is important Knowing your customer Customers are constantly evaluating you Basic customer service skills you may not have thought of Unit 2: Setting customer expectations Analyzing customer contacts Developing internal customer targets How to easily exceed your customers' expectations Unit 3: Developing effective processes What is working for your customers Re-engineering your process Ways to give the best information Handling complaints Unit 4: Making customer service extraordinary Tweaking the customer's experience Telling the world how great you are Having fun

Data Analysis is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after skills in the workplace. Companies have vast amounts of data, but it is rare to have someone with the ability to analyze that data to see trends and make predictions. Add a whole new skill set to your portfolio, and make a big difference in the success of your organization by acquiring data analysis skills. Begin with getting a basic understanding of how to analyze data in a business setting. Then learn how many of your business decisions involve comparing groups for differences. You will know the statistics behind these group differences and relationships. Finally you will find out how to perform inquiries that will be useful to your business or organization, and have the skill necessary to communicate these results through graphs and text that your fellow employees will understand. Whether your business is home based or a large company, this certificate will take you to the next level where important decision-making is concerned. Students need to have an understanding of Microsoft Excel to complete this certificate. This Certificate is comprised of the following courses. (Scroll down for class details): Introduction Intermediate Advanced Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class Details: Introduction to Data Analysis Unit 1: Understanding Data Identify sources of Data Discover methods of Collecting Data Examine Quantitative Data Examine Qualitative Data Unit 2: Processing Data Introduction to Statistics Determine the Appropriate Statistical Method for use in various scenarios Identify methods of Sorting and Filtering Data Categorize Data Unit 3: Analyzing Data Discuss Probability and the Normal Distribution Perform Trend Analysis Perform Breakeven Analysis Understand basic Statistical Modelling Unit 4: Interpreting and Presenting Results Design Professional-looking Tables Generate Effective Charts Create Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts Compile a Dashboard for Management Intermediate Data Analysis Unit 1: Looking for Differences between Groups Two separate groups Two related groups Three or more groups Unit 2: Looking for Relationships Pairs of variables Clusters of variables Predicting one variable from one or more variable Unit 3: Looking at Ratings Tests of difference using ratings Tests of relationship using ratings Unit 4: Looking at How to Report the Results Visual displays How to draft the narrative How to engage your audience Advanced Data Analysis Unit 1: Developing a Survey Purposes of surveys Fundamentals of Survey Research Ethical Considerations Likert Scales Unit 2: Comparing Means Chi-Square Statistical Significance Communicating Results Graphically and Textually Practical Problems involving Means Comparisons Unit 3: Finding Differences between Groups ANOVA Post Hoc Comparisons Communicating Results Graphically and Textually Practical Problems Involving ANOVA Unit 4: Individual Research Inquiries Developing Research Questions Setting Up Study Communicating Results Graphically and Textually

Especially geared for future leaders in the Gen Y generation (born 1980-1999), the certificate provides how-to practical information on advancing your leadership potential and making a difference in both the workplace and in society. Find out what it takes to become an effective leader. Discover your style of leadership. Discuss task completion, building relationships with your subordinates, becoming socially perceptive to changes in the workplace, utilizing your emotions in a positive and effective manner, and addressing challenging goals. Then learn the unspoken secrets that leaders know and the strategies they employ/exhibit in for influencing others. Leadership skills are acquired and learned. You can become a leader if you know the do’s and don’ts; what to say, what not to say; what to do, what not to do. At the end of completing the three course certificate, come away with a new understanding, new toolbox of leadership skills, and the information to move your leadership development into high gear. Courses (click links for course details): Leadership Principles Developing Your Leadership Skills Developing Your Professional Career Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class details: Leadership Principles Unit 1: What leaders do and believe What leaders do, and don’t do What Leaders Believe Attributes of leaders: what characteristics leaders have that others don’t What leadership experts say about leadership Unit 2: Recognizing your leadership style Leadership Traits The Philosophy of Leadership Leadership Models Leadership is made, not born Unit 3: The vision thing Leadership vision in the 21st Century Deciding where you want to go Creating your vision Making others believe in your vision Unit 4: The power of empowerment What empowerment is, and is not Why Gen Y and Z demand empowerment The risks and rewards of empowerment Ways to empower others Developing Your Leadership Skills Unit 1: Making leadership happen What leaders do, and don’t do What Leaders Believe Attributes of leaders: what characteristics leaders have that others don’t Making it happen: becoming a leader Leadership procedures and processes, how leaders work Unit 2: Attending meetings: Where the action is How to attend a meeting when you are not the leader The dynamics of meetings Recognizing the players in a meeting How to study. The unspoken cues of body language, silence, objections Studying/Reading the leader in a meeting Unit 3: The secrets of leading successful meetings Creating your meeting agenda and objective The 5 Secrets of leading an outcome oriented meeting Getting something passed Understanding meeting procedures: Bob’s Process Model Unit 4: Change: How to influence others Creating the argument Delivering the case Gaining support, before, during, and after meetings Taking leadership Developing Your Professional Career Unit 1: Mapping your career for success Defining where you want to be in your career in 5, 10, 15 years Setting and monitoring your career goals Establishing a mentor partnership as a start in your professional career Unit 2: Developing your professional career through non-verbal communication The difference between verbal and non-verbal communication Conveying the right message with your body language Writing what you think Haptics – Using touch to convey non-verbal communication How to understand others non-verbal communication Unit 3: Image is everything You are your brand What you wear can determine where you go How to determine if your image is headed in the right direction How your communication and your image should agree with each other Unit 4: Using social media to help developing your professional career The purpose of Social Media How to use Social Media to create a professional online presence How to avoid negative images trap that many people fall victim to on Social Media

Become a Microsoft Office Pro! Master Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to create stunning documents, analyze data, and captivate audiences. This hands-on course will boost your career and digital skills. Courses: Mastering Microsoft Excel Mastering Microsoft Word Mastering Microsoft PowerPoint Software requirement: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class details: Excel Unit 1: Excel From The Ground Up Why businesses use Excel for spreadsheet management Technical requirements to use Excel (and all Office modules) Launch Excel and create your first Excel worksheet Discover how to protect and save your document Set your document’s Properties and Attributes including Subject, Title and Author Unit 2: Excel Document Creation Explore the different parts of the Excel worksheet and document navigation Understand cells and their makeup Learn how to populate, format and merge cells Create multiple worksheet “workbooks” Learn how to insert comments and check spelling Unit 3: Advanced Features and Functionality Create and manage formulas and functions Filter and sort tables and data Create “live” connections between multiple worksheets Create effective and informative table and charts Unit 4: Excel Management and Sharing Create meaningful file names and understand filing systems to manage Excel documents Organize your documents on your hard drive and learn how to copy and move documents Manage track changes when co-authoring documents Printing and PDF file creation including setting print areas Learn how to export Excel tables and charts to PowerPoint presentations and Word documents Use Outlook to send Excel worksheets and workbooks to other users Word Unit 1: Getting Started with Word Why businesses use Word for document creation Launch Word and create your first Word document Discover how to protect and save your documents. Set your document’s Properties and Attributes including Subject, Title, and Author Unit 2: Word Document Creation Explore the different features and functionality of Word Understand documents and their makeup Learn how to create, format, and present documents Create multiple documents and templates Learn how to insert comments and professionally edit Unit 3: Advanced Features and Functionality Create and manage documents Learn to organize documents into chapters and sections Create “live” connections between documents and Excel worksheets Create effective and informative documents with tables and charts Unit 4: Word Management and Sharing Create meaningful file names and understand filing systems to manage Word documents Organize your documents on your hard drive and learn how to copy and move documents Manage track changes when co-authoring documents Printing and PDF file creation including print settings PowerPoint Unit 1: PowerPoint Overview Why businesses use PowerPoint for presentations Launch PowerPoint and create your first PowerPoint presentation Discover how to protect and save your slides. Set your document’s Properties and Attributes including Subject, Title, and Author Unit 2: PowerPoint Document Creation Explore the different parts of the PowerPoint slide navigation Understand slides and templates, and their makeup Learn how to populate, format, and present slides Create multiple slides and templates Learn how to insert comments and professionally edit Unit 3: Advanced Features and Functionality Create and manage slides Learn to organize slides into sections Create “live” connections between slides and Excel worksheets Create effective and informative slides with tables and charts Unit 4: PowerPoint Management and Sharing Create meaningful file names and understand filing systems to manage PowerPoint documents Organize your documents on your hard drive and learn how to copy and move documents Manage track changes when co-authoring documents Printing and PDF file creation including print settings

A must-have skill to succeed in business, whether an entrepreneur or a valued employee, is the ability to create, edit and manage spreadsheets. Microsoft Excel is the most used spreadsheet tool in the world.Begin with learning how an Excel worksheet is constructed, populated with content, and edited for delivery. Discover how various menu items, commands, settings and processes affects the look of your Excel worksheets and workbooks. Then, increase your efficiency by learning how to organize, display and calculate your data into useful information. Identify different types of data and how data can be best visually represented or formatted, by using different data tool techniques. Finally, you’ll learn a variety of Excel’s most powerful features to analyze data quickly and easily. This Certificate will help you discover how to attractively visualize your data into meaningful information with confidence. Students must have Microsoft Excel installed to complete this certificate. Courses must be taken in order: Mastering Microsoft Excel Intermediate Excel Advanced Excel Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class Details: Mastering Microsoft Excel Unit 1: Excel From The Ground Up Why businesses use Excel for spreadsheet management Technical requirements to use Excel (and all Office modules) Launch Excel and create your first Excel worksheet Discover how to protect and save your document Set your document’s Properties and Attributes including Subject, Title and Author Unit 2: Excel Document Creation Explore the different parts of the Excel worksheet and document navigation Understand cells and their makeup Learn how to populate, format and merge cells Create multiple worksheet “workbooks” Learn how to insert comments and check spelling Unit 3: Advanced Features and Functionality Create and manage formulas and functions Filter and sort tables and data Create “live” connections between multiple worksheets Create effective and informative table and charts Unit 4: Excel Management and Sharing Create meaningful file names and understand filing systems to manage Excel documents Organize your documents on your hard drive and learn how to copy and move documents Manage track changes when co-authoring documents Printing and PDF file creation including setting print areas Learn how to export Excel tables and charts to PowerPoint presentations and Word documents Use Outlook to send Excel worksheets and workbooks to other users Intermediate Excel Unit 1: Organizing Worksheet and Table Data Introduction to tables Formatting tables using table styles Using formulas in tables Sorting and Filtering table data Unit 2: Understanding Popular Excel Functions Understanding Named Ranges Applying business functions Creating functions that handle text Performing basic lookup functions Creating functions that work with dates and times Unit 3: Improving Worksheet Appearance Formatting cells in worksheets Correcting common function errors Creating and using templates Customizing Excel toolbar Unit 4: Analyzing Data Using Data Validation and Pivot Tables Understanding how to convert text to columns Understanding how to analyze spreadsheet data Understanding the basic pivot table layout and key terms Creating and formatting simple pivot tables Advanced Excel Unit 1: Advanced Functions Used To Make Business Decisions Applying multiple criteria to functions Using And criteria Using Or criteria Using And and Or and Not criteria Advanced Logical functions Using If -Then control statements Implementing If functions with Aggregate functions Unit 2: Functions Used to Make Financial Decisions Learning basic financial functions Applying functions to perform loan calculations Computing loan payments Computing interest rate Computing number of payment periods Computing present value of a loan Working with additional functions Unit 3: Applying Different Scenarios Using Excel Data Tools Understanding Different What-If Analysis Tools Performing What-If Analysis to see how data changes outcomes in formulas Using Scenario Manager Using Data Tables Using Goal Seek Applying rules to manage cell data Implement validation rules to avoid invalid entries Entering validation rules Avoiding duplicate data entries Unit 4: Powerful Tools Used to Complete Data Implementation and Analysis Exporting and Importing Data into Workbook Protecting a workbook Making improved business decisions using pivot tables Creating an Excel Dashboard to visually display relevant data

Non-profits today need to be run like a business in many respects. You have competition, a need to generate income and a surplus, and staff need to be even more productive. Get the best training on revenue generation for nonprofits, and program evaluation for nonprofits, with our Certificate in Nonprofit Administration. Come away with the latest best information from instructors who train people in nonprofits. Courses: Revenue Generation for Nonprofits Program Evaluation for Nonprofits Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class details: Revenue Generation for Nonprofits Unit 1: Introduction to Revenue Generation Setting and using revenue generation benchmarks Determining annual objectives How to best use this course information Unit 2: Understanding Your Audience The benefits of knowing your audience better What to ask your audience How to get the best information Collecting and using the best data Where to find the new ideas Unit 3: Developing Programs and Services The right questions for the best success Natural life cycles of programs and services Determining which ones to continue Creating successful new programs and services Unit 4: Analyzing Programs and Services Analyzing the past performance Determining future productivity Analysis tools Simple analysis technique Unit 5: Setting the Right Price How price affects attendance Price breaks that determine the price to set Setting the best price Pricing strategies Unit 6: Marketing Effectively Building your identify Developing market segments Determining who to market to Unit 7: Developing Promotions Making promotions that work Creating the best layouts Making promotions that sell Unit 8: Distributing Promotions Print, social media, and eMarketing techniques Knowing what promotions work The most effective promotion methods Program Evaluation for Nonprofits Unit 1: Introduction to Nonprofit Evaluation & the Logic Model What evaluation is and is not Why evaluation is important to nonprofit organizations and why your funders are asking you for it Planning for evaluation begins when you apply for the grant Types of evaluation, and the approaches best suited to nonprofit programs Planning tools for evaluation – introduction to the logic model Crafting accurate, concise outcome statements Unit 2: Creating an Evaluation Plan What an evaluation plan is and why you need one Using outcomes from our logic model to create your evaluation plan Setting priorities for your evaluation (navigating barriers based on budget, funder requirements, staff time and staff capacity) Creating indicators for your outcomes Defining benchmarks and targets where appropriate Unit 3: Collecting the Data Taking stock of the data you already use Making data collection systematic Choosing and/or creating data collection tools – output information, surveys, interviews, focus groups Unit 4: Analysis, Reporting and Use – Putting it All Together Appropriate analysis of the common data collection tools covered in Unit 3 Common analysis mistakes and how to avoid them Reporting to various stakeholders (funders, donors, Board of Directors and the community) Using data for program improvement