Chris Melody, Director
903 N Patterson Street
The Professional and Community Education Department (PACE) oversees the non-academic credit programs offered by the University for persons in Valdosta and the surrounding communities. Activities include Learning in Retirement, children’s programs, professional development, and personal enrichment classes. In addition to general classes, Professional and Community Education develops and presents contract seminars and courses to meet the needs of specific business and industry groups and offers a wide variety of courses and career development certificate programs online. Some courses are developed especially to meet the licensing or certification requirements of specific professional groups requiring continuing education credit.
The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) requires the use of the CEU (Continuing Education Unit) by member institutions and provides this definition: “One continuing education unit is ten contact hours of participation in an organized, continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.” Professional and Community Education administers the CEU procedures for the University. The department also manages the Professional Learning Unit (PLU) program approval and crediting procedures for teacher re-certification.
