Continuing Education

Sustainability-related courses are available to the public through UofL's continuing education and professional development program.

Non-credit sustainability-related courses are available to the public through a variety of academic units at UofL. In 2022, we offered the following Continuing Education options through our professional programs:

School of Dentistry (ULSD CE)

The University of Louisville School of Dentistry's Office of Continuing Education endeavors to provide quality Programs to all Dentists, Hygienists, and Auxiliary personnel in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect for all.  Our goal is to provide life-long learning opportunities through a variety of comprehensive courses… The University of Louisville School of Dentistry is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.  ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to ADA CERP.

ADA CERP requires, among other standards, continuing education providers ensure that the clinical and technical activities have a sound scientific basis, as well as a Declaration of Conflict of Interest.

  • Implicit Bias in Dentistry: What we don't think we think - This webinar will explore implicit bias and research studies showing the prevalence and potential impact of implicit bias on students' clinical and learning environments. Evidence-based strategies and skills will be discussed to mitigate our own biases and provide a safe and unbiased clinical environment for the patients.

School of Medicine (Continuing Medical Education & Professional Development — School of Medicine University of Louisville)

A cornerstone educational purpose of the University of Louisville School of Medicine is to "provide high quality continuing medical education in an environment of lifelong learning." Further, the School of Medicine has a "mandated statewide mission to meet the educational, research, and patient care needs of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and an urban mission to meet the needs of Louisville..."* CME & PD, in collaboration with our medical community which includes UofL Physicians, the School of Medicine clinical and biomedical science departments, the UofL Hospital, Jewish Hospital, the Robley Rex Veteran's Administration Hospital, Ireland Community Army Hospital, and the Area Health Education Centers of Kentucky, seeks to identify and address professional clinical practice gaps and life-long educational needs. CME & PD offers consultation for the design, delivery, and evaluation of CME programming, and will accredit and document those continuing medical education activities in support of physician life-long learning requirements. Further, CME & PD will provide services as a joint-provider for national and international entities that pursue similar goals of meeting physician CME learning opportunities.

  • Evidence-Based Care of LGBTQ-DSD Patients Using The eQuality Toolkit- This clinical skills training addresses knowledge gaps to care for patients who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) or have a difference of sex development (DSD). Providers will learn practical skills to improve patient interactions by creating an inclusive clinical environment, which will help address health disparities related to stigma and discrimination around LGBTQ/DSD identities.

Kent School of Social Work (Continuing Education — Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work and Family Science)

The Kent School Continuing Education program is dedicated to assisting social workers in meeting their professional development needs, maintaining and improving professional competence. We strive to provide trainings that are innovative, engaging and in line with the Kent School’s mission of addressing complex social problems through education, research and service to create a just and better world. Our continuing education program demonstrates to the community, prospective students and alumni, our commitment to them, not only inside the classroom but once they are out in the field. In becoming one of the top research social work programs in the country, we provide tools to support your practice in addressing societies most difficult problems.

  • Empowering the Group Process in Social Work- This seminar will provide an overview of the foundations in group psychotherapy as a medium of engaging clients to process issues relevant to their overall health and well-being.
  • Youth Mental Health First Aid - Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 6-18. This course covers: • Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in this age group, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). • Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges. • How to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis. • How to connect the youth with help. • Expanded content on trauma, substance use, self-care and the impact of social media and bullying.
  • Youth Interventions Before Incarcerations-In Person - The presentation will include but not limited to Juvenile Justice. History of Juvenile Justice and exploitation of juveniles. Laws and policies for protecting and addressing juvenile incarceration, school to prison pipeline, and KY senate bill 200. Discuss community resources and services in the surrounding area. Utilize laws and bills to discuss restorative justice and diversion programs.
  • Addressing Social Issues with Political Action

Southern Police Institute (Continuing Education (CE) Courses — Southern Police Institute)

SPI's comprehensive educational environment and world-recognized methods of instruction encourage a commitment to learning, self-improvement and peer networking long after courses are completed. Our management courses prepare officers for the rigors of leading a police agency in an ever-changing world. Our courses provide cutting edge management practices and are facilitated by forward-thinking faculty.

  • Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)- CPTED is based on the concept that proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a reduction in both the incidence and fear of crime while also improving quality of life. Strategies implemented from this multi-discipline approach have been adopted by numerous national and international professional organizations.  Now is the time for crime prevention practitioners, law enforcement officers, community planners, landscape architects, city officials, educators and other key professionals involved in facility planning, design, development, business owners and managers, educators and individual homeowners to learn how to effectively utilize CPTED strategies to prevent crime in their businesses, schools, neighborhoods and overall communities in a way that is safe, attractive and cost-effective! Participants will learn how the design and use of spaces influences behavior as well as participate in a practical exercise involving a site visit and earn a Basic CPTED certificate!

College of Business (Professional Development Programs - College of Business)

Professional development begins with personal investment. From building the skills of your team to honing your talents, the Executive Education programs at the University of Louisville’s College of Business offers a full portfolio of one-day training sessions designed to engage, energize, educate, and motivate. Refine your team or yourself through this series of easy to schedule classes.Taught by experienced facilitators, instructors, and practitioners, these sessions pair your commitment to growth with the UofL’s passion for education.

  • Elevating Values to Action: Interrupting to Create an Inclusive Workplace– this training provides employees various ways to feel motivated and give voice to the values that define their organization. By providing manageable, realistic tools to interrupt as well as low-risk opportunities to practice, participants are much more likely to contribute directly to an equitable and inclusive environment.

University of Louisville Executive Education builds learning strategies that support an organization's long-term goals and foster employee growth. We offer a variety of Certificate Programs, including:

The University of Louisville’s Professional Development courses cover a variety of topics that are relevant to professionals at all levels. Each of these one-day seminars will cover critical skills that every professional needs.

Previous Sustainability-Related Seminars Have Included:

Cultivating Leadership Presence and Mindful Organizations

Explore mindfulness and meditation training in the context of leadership excellence and healthy organizations. In this workshop participants are guided through a series of systematic mindful leadership practices, reflections and everyday applications. As we explore mindful leadership and organizational practices, we learn to cultivate our ability to focus, see past our own filters, be more innovative, and embody greater compassion for ourselves and those we manage.You Will Learn How To:

  • Focus your mind, harvest collective intelligence and cultivate empathy
  • Integrate individual and collective mindfulness and meditation practices into professional development and organizational culture
  • Practice basic mindfulness facilitation skills and learn appropriate application for individuals, teams and meetings

Beyond Conflict Management

Conflicts and disagreements happen every day; successful companies use this energy in a positive way to harness differences in a healthy manner. This interactive seminar will provide you with the tools to understand and manage differences in the workplace, improve communication, and create a positive and productive workplace environment. You will learn to:

  • Employ techniques of interest-based negotiation to build and maintain successful, productive work relationships
  • Become a better listener
  • Employ good communication and mutual respect in managing workplace misunderstandings
  • Use language and non-verbal communication effectively
  • Pre-approved for 5 credit hours with HRCI. This program is valid for 6.5 PDCs for the SHRM-CPSM or SHRM-SCPSM

Grant Writing Certificate: Application Development and Funding

If you want an in-depth training experience that will give you a solid knowledge base and skill set for developing competitive, high-quality grant applications, this is the training for you. This program is ideal for the beginner or intermediate grants professional working in education or a nonprofit organization. The program will help grant-seeking become less intimidating. The Grant Writing Certificate Program is an intensive, three-day workshop that gives you the basics needed to develop competitive grant applications, identify and build relationships with potential funders, and follow through after your grant is funded. You will spend time reviewing grant applications in the same way reviewers do to learn what reviewers look for in a grant application. You will also learn the process to become a grant reviewer. As part of this certificate program you will also receive a one-hour coaching session to review and improve your grant application. After this three-day workshop you will walk away with:

  •     The basic elements of a competitive grant application already developed
  •     Potential funders identified that will be most likely to support your grant application
  •     Tips for following up with funders if your grant application is not approved
  •     Knowing what is required once a grant is actually funded
  •     This program is valid for 19.5 PDCs for the SHRM-CPSM or SHRM-SCPSM

 

Previous Lifelong Learning Classes

In the past,UofL had a Lifelong Learning program that offered the public both in-person and online classes covering a variety of sustainability-related topics. This program has ceased operations, but you can get a feeling for our past offerings below.

Previous Online Courses

UofL offered over 300 online courses to the public throughout the year! Sustainability-related courses included:

  • Going Green at the Workplace - Learn cost-effective ways to position your business as a responsible environmental leader in a world of green consumers and carbon-conscious regulators.
  • Going Green at Home - Step into a green lifestyle as you discover simple, cost-effective ways to make your home environmentally friendly.
  • Start Your Own Edible Garden - Grow delicious, nutritious fruit and vegetables in your own backyard!
  • Growing Plants for Fun and Profit - An industry professional teaches you everything you need to prosper in the backyard nursery business.
  • Luscious, Low-Fat, Lightning-Quick Meals - Join a registered dietitian and discover how easy it can be to prepare meals that are both delicious and nutritious!
  • Lose Weight and Keep It Off - Discover how to establish a healthy approach to weight loss and weight maintenance.
  • Introduction to Natural Health and Healing - Learn how to promote wellness, balance, and health in all aspects of your daily life.

Previous In-Person Courses

Exploring the Waterways of Metro Louisville

Earn an American Canoe Association (ACA) certification as you explore some of Jefferson County’s 790 miles of streams and rivers. Using the ACA curriculum, you’ll be introduced to canoeing safety, paddle strokes, and navigation skills. This new class features two lecture/discussion sessions and four canoe trips on these streams: Beargrass Creek, Harrods Creek, Salt River, and Floyds Fork. Three of the paddle trips will be in 15-person Voyageur canoes and the fourth, on Floyds Fork, will be in tandem canoes. This course also addresses our region’s water quality, showcasing people in the community who are working to restore our creeks, revitalize our sewer and flood infrastructure, reconnect communities to the Ohio River, and expand recreational opportunities along the waterfront.

Location: Community Boat House, Waterfront Park (sessions one and two) and four launching sites. Participants are responsible for their own transportation.

Instructor: Dr. David Wicks, certified instructor for the American Canoe Association, president of the Kentucky Conservation Committee, owner of Get Outdoors Kentucky, and retired director of the Jefferson County Public Schools’ Center for Environmental Education.

Natural Foods to Enhance Your Health

Nearly all fast foods, most packaged and bottled foods, and many consumed in restaurants are altered chemically and/or extremely high in salt, sugar and/or fat. Consuming foods in forms close to the ones in which they grew naturally is recommended for optimum health and nutrition. This class features simple, natural, quick and delicious ways to prepare fresh vegetables, casseroles, soups, dried beans and grains. During field trips to conventional and natural food stores, you'll practice label reading and learn to make wise food choices that will enhance your health.

Instructor: Joyce Gerrish, M.A., graduate of National Institute of Whole Health, teacher for Holistic Wellness

Organic Gardening

Growing your own organic food is not only healthy, but economical and fun! Whether you have lots of outdoor space or just a little, this class will teach you how to grow all types of vegetables and herbs using the space you have. You’ll also learn to incorporate colorful fruit trees and many small fruits into your landscape to make it both beautiful and productive.

Instructor: Shelly Nold, B.S., horticulture, owner and operator of The Plant Kingdom

Public Speaking for Advocates

Do you have a cause you’re passionate about? Would you like to be able to share your opinions about controversial issues such as politics or religion? The focus of this new course isn’t on public speaking, but rather sharing your opinions on topics you care about without coming off as aggressive, pushy or, most of all, crazy. You’ll also learn how to recognize and deal with a conversation that may be escalating in a negative manner.

Instructor: Rennay Cooke, longtime advocate for the arts, animal rights, and education, whose goal is to educate people about her causes and beliefs by opening, not necessarily changing, people’s minds

The Art of Thrift and Consignment Shopping

Do you long to wear designer clothing but can’t afford to? Do you wonder how everyone else is doing it? Learn how from a 25-year thrift shopper who will share her secrets for wearing the best for less. The class concludes with a field trip to some of Judi’s favorite stores.

Instructor: Judi Murray, self-proclaimed, seasoned thrift shopper who proudly boasts that 80% of her stylish wardrobe (and most of her home furnishings) comes from thrift and consignment stores