Winter Session 2016 offers new classes for students, community members

Sharper professional skills, earlier graduation or a lighter course load next semester are just a few of the benefits afforded to San Francisco State University students, prospective students and the Bay Area community through two Winter Session 2016 programs.

Winter Session is a selection of online and in-person classes offered through SF State's College of Extended Learning over the winter break. This year, SF State is debuting its Professional Development Winter Session, which will offer several not-for-credit courses aimed at furthering the careers of working community members. In addition, the Winter Session for matriculated and prospective students returns this year with many exciting classes.

"We're trying to expand offerings so students have more options to take advantage of this program," said Dean of the College of Extended Learning Angela Jones.

Winter Session course offerings were posted Sept. 30. Among this year's selection of 74 courses, 62 academic and 12 professional development options are represented across 26 fields of study. Winter Session participants can learn about subjects ranging from financial accounting to fashion design illustration to environmental health, with a wide variety in between. Professional development classes include "Personal Financial Planning" and "Professional Communication Skills," among others.

"The courses offered for Professional Development Winter Session are designed for working professionals, career changers or people seeking new career skills," said Susan Propst, executive director of the University's professional development and customized training program. "They are short, specific courses that will give participants applicable 'take aways.'"

Several popular classes offered as part of the 2016 Session, such as "Food, Wine and Culture in California," can fill up quickly during the fall and spring semesters. Winter Session provides an opportunity for SF State students who are unable to sign up for these classes during the busier academic seasons.

"We always put a lot of thought into the Winter Session schedule, but this year in particular we spent more time drilling into what classes students might find most beneficial," Jones said.

Many of those classes Jones mentioned will be offered online over the Winter Session. Donn Callaway, the College of Extended Learning's director of special sessions, advised first-time online learners to become familiar with the iLearn platform before the start of the course.

Bay Area community members can learn through Open University during Winter Session and throughout the school year, and all participants can earn up to four credit units over the break. Registration for classes begins Nov. 2, with start dates for Winter Session's two periods set for Dec. 21, 2015, and Jan. 4, 2016. Professional Development Winter Session will begin Jan 4.

For more information, including the course schedule and registration, go to the Winter Session webpage: www.cel.sfsu.edu/winter/index.cfm?utm_source=sfstatenews&utm_medium=story&utm_campaign=wint16&fm=1040. For more information about the Professional Development Winter Session, visit: www.cel.sfsu.edu/courses/classes-winter2016.cfm?utm_source=sfstatnews&utm_medium=story&utm_campaign=wint16_pd&fm=1047.