University Launches New Continuing and Professional Education Programs

Montclair State University is expanding its array of Continuing and Professional Education (CAPE) offerings with new face-to-face and online credential-bearing offerings that are focused on 21st-century skills and designed for working professionals, lifelong learners, and business and community organizations.

These new programs are in addition to Montclair State’s already robust portfolio of fully online degree and certificate programs.

“There are multiple ways to serve traditional and adult degree-seeking students, our alumni, professional communities, the broader local public and people seeking to advance or change their careers with industry-specific education,” says Montclair State University Provost Willard Gingerich. “By expanding CAPE to include a focus on the workforce needs of existing and emerging industries, we’ll help students compete effectively for those positions and so contribute to the growth of New Jersey’s economy.”

“We’re taking a holistic approach to continuing and professional education,” says CAPE Executive Director Peter McAliney. “In addition to the highly accessible online programs we already offer, we are creating short-duration certificate programs that include a career management component so that learners know how to leverage newly acquired skills into enhanced job and career opportunities.”

The CAPE suite of programs is designed to help working professionals advance or change their careers; provide enrichment for lifelong learners; and meet the needs of area businesses seeking skilled “new collar” professionals.

“CAPE’s online degree and professional development courses reflect today’s workplace realities, while learners of all ages can explore outside interests and passions through personal enrichment offerings. CAPE’s community service options will give our local community access to the University’s robust range of health, social service and community-oriented resources,” Gingerich explains.

Students who enroll in online degree-granting programs will have access to all of the career services associated with the University. In addition, those enrolled in the short-duration, non-credit CAPE programs will receive personalized career guidance and support – an innovative feature that sets the new unit’s offerings apart from most other continuing and professional education programs.

“We’ve designed targeted programs, which will help students acquire new skills to enable them to obtain meaningful employment and establish long-term career paths,” McAliney explains. After completing CAPE non-degree programs, students will receive a digital badge issued by Montclair State University that they can share with potential – and current – employers.

A Focus on 21st-Century Skills – and Jobs

“In addition to the traditional degrees most sought after by potential employers, we’ve identified skills and competencies that organizations in the private and public sectors need to be successful,” says McAliney. “For example, our inaugural online short-duration certificate programs in the rapidly expanding fields of blockchain technology and analytic linguistics address immediate needs in our state and region – while helping students further their educations and career goals.”

Augmenting the online programs housed in the University’s colleges, the professional programs will be taught by a distinguished faculty of recognized experts in their fields as well as from University partners. New program offerings include certificates in Blockchain and certificates in Analytic Linguistics.

CAPE is partnering with The Blockchain Academy to offer three certificates in Blockchain. Learners looking to build resumes and up-skill careers will explore this exciting new technology’s potential to support a full spectrum of business activities through online coursework and virtual and/or in-person meet-ups.

There is a growing need today for analytic linguists. These professionals are trained to transcribe, translate and interpret foreign language conversations for federal and local law enforcement agencies investigating everything from terrorism and gang activity to drug smuggling and human trafficking.

CAPE is partnering with Translation Skills Training to offer two certificates in Analytic Linguistics. These programs are open to current multilingual undergraduate students in any discipline; graduates holding degrees in languages, justice studies and political science; and law enforcement professionals looking to enter and succeed in a dynamic field. Students successfully completing this program will be sponsored for government security clearances and will earn a non-credit certificate that is recognized by the American Association of Analytic Linguists.

Meeting Business and Community Needs

CAPE will also serve government, not-for-profit and private organizations, as well as groups that are based or operate in northern New Jersey, by helping them develop cost-effective solutions to their training needs. “Our instructors will share up-to-date workplace skills and practices to support success for these organizations,” says McAliney.

CAPE recently partnered with HackensackUMC Mountainside to develop and deliver a range of training courses for its employees. “The program that we developed with CAPE has generated much excitement in our hospital,” says Mountainside Hospital VP for Human Resources Francis Corridon. “From a management perspective, the CAPE program not only clearly signaled our commitment to training to our staff, but has also increased productivity and morale across many departments at the hospital.”

CAPE staff is additionally committed to developing and delivering personal-enrichment and community-engagement programs by expanding and growing partnerships with local community organizations, such as the Montclair Public Library.

“Our partnership with Montclair State gives the community more access to outstanding cultural opportunities and educational resources,” says Montclair Public Library Director Peter Coyl. “We are very excited about strengthening the collaboration between our Adult School and the University through CAPE to give our Adult School users further access to the rich talent and expertise the University has to offer.”

“While other training options certainly do exist, there is still a real, demonstrable need for innovative continuing education programs in New Jersey,” explains McAliney. “We’re proud of the credential-bearing education CAPE will provide individual learners, as well as the important role we can play in our community as a whole.”

To learn more or to register for a Continuing and Professional Education course or any of the online degree programs visit www.montclair.edu/continuing-and-professional-education. Graduates of New Jersey’s public community and senior colleges will receive a 5% discount on all non-credit bearing certificate programs with proof of successful completion.