The Office of Non-Credit and Youth Programs offers a variety of non-credit programs, camps, and workshops to the public. Evening courses from two to ten weeks cover topics such as sign language, calligraphy, wise financial investing, and computer training. One and two-day workshops provide skills training for professionals.

The Center for Continuing Education and Academic Outreach coordinates many conferences, events, and continuing education workshops throughout the year.  If you or your organization is interested in using Murray State University conference facilities, or is interested in customized training, please contact us.  We are your University! 

 A listing of our non-credit workshops and programs is below!

Computer/Workplace Skills

Professional/Personal Development

Computer/Workplace Skills

Getting Started with Computers

Three Tuesdays:  February 21, 28, and March 7; 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Instructor:  Mark Underwood, MSU

Location:  Room 209, Industry & Technology Center

This course is designed to help build confidence for beginners with little or no experience.  A variety of topics will be discussed, using updated technology and the Windows Operating System.  Learn the basics of computer hardware, software, usage and terminology in this laid back, student driven course.  $55  How To Register

Introduction to Windows XP

Three Tuesdays:  April 11, 18, and 25; 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Instructor:  Mark Underwood, MSU

Location:  Room 209, Industry & Technology Center

Get to know your computer better by gaining greater understanding of Microsoft Windows XP.  This class will open a new window of knowledge with tips, tricks, and core functions of the XP operating system.  Includes overview of the Internet and e-mail.  Course fee includes reference guide and other learning material.  $55  How To Register

Computers for Senior Citizens

Three Thursdays:  April 13, 20, and 27; 4:00-5:30 p.m.

Instructor:  Mark Underwood, MSU

Location: Room 209, Industry & Technology Center

Specially designed for senior citizens in the Jackson Purchase area, this course begins with the very basics.  From simple keyboarding skills to surfing the net for stock quotes or genealogy, this class proves NOW is the time to learn how to use a computer.  No additional discounts.  $25  How To Register

Introduction to Microsoft Word

Three Mondays:  February 13, 20, and 27; 6:00-8:00 p.m. OR April 17, 27, and May 4; 6:00-8:00 p.m.

February Instructor: Janeen Winters, MSU

April Instructor:  Jack Schultz, Computer Consultant

Location:  Room 209, Industry & Technology Center

The Microsoft Word class will help participants learn and use Microsoft’s widely used word processing program.  Hands-on sessions will include instruction on shortcuts and ways to customize documents to your needs.  Fee includes manual, disc files and other learning materials. $65  How To Register

Introduction to Microsoft Excel

Three Thursdays:  February 16, 23, and March 2; 6:00-8:00 p.m. OR April 20, 27 and May 4; 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Instructor:  Jack Schultz, Computer Consultant

Location: Room 209, Industry & Technology Center

Excel is Microsoft’s spreadsheet application.  This hands-on introductory course teaches students how to organize, calculate, and analyze data using this popular program.  Fee includes manual, disc files and other materials.  $65  How To Register

Internet and E-mail for Senior Citizens

Two Thursdays:  May 4 and 11; 4:00-5:30 p.m.

Instructor: Mark Underwood, MSU

Location:  Room 209, Industry & Technology Center

Not quite sure how to gain access to the Internet or how to send and receive electronic mail properly?  This class offers hands-on sessions that will give participants the opportunity to begin using E-mail and surf the World Wide Web.  Instruction will be given on how to use this powerful source of information and communication to send and receive E-mail, search for information, and download Internet software to your computer.  $35  How To Register

Introduction to PhotoShop Elements

Three Mondays:  March 6, 13, and 20; 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Instructor:  Jack Schultz, Computer Consultant

Location:  Room 209, Industry and Technology Center

PhotoShop is a recognized industry standard for working with digital pictures, creating graphics and piecing together pictures and shapes to create composites or collages.  This hands-on course is designed to be "user-friendly" to beginners, and teaches participants all the fundamentals of the program.  The course covers the use of editing techniques such as cropping, brightness/contrast, enlarging or reducing, removing scratches or sections with the "clone stamp," and other techniques such as layering. Course fee includes learning manual. $65  How To Register

Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint

Two Thursdays:  March 9 and 16; 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Instructor:  Jack Schultz, Computer Consultant

Location:  Room 209, Industry & Technology Center

Introduction to MS PowerPoint will teach you how to use the software widely used for presentations, slide shows, or general announcements.  This hands-on experience will help you spruce up and design more effective presentations.  Course fee includes manual and other learning materials.  $45  How To Register

Introduction to Microsoft Access

Three Mondays:  March 27, April 3, and 10; 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Instructor:  Jack Schultz, Computer Consultant

Location:  Room 209, Industry & Technology Center

Using Microsoft's database application, data can be input and stored for the creation of forms and tables.  This hands-on, introductory course will help you get started.  Course fee includes manual, disc files and other learning materials.  $65  How To Register

Introduction to Microsoft Publisher

Three Wednesdays:  April 12, 19, and 26, 6-8 p.m.

Instructors:  Dan Lavit and Janeen Winters, MSU

Location:  Room 209, Industry and Technology Center

This introductory course is designed to introduce the user to Microsoft’s popular desktop publishing software.  Learn how to make attractive flyers, newsletters, and cards in a fun and informative class.  This hands-on course will teach the basics such as creating text, adding graphics, and how to add that extra little touch to make attractive publications for you or your organization.  Basic understanding of Microsoft Windows is suggested.  Learning materials will be provided.  $65  How To Register

PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

ACT Prep Workshop

(a) Half-Day Saturday Workshop:  Feb. 4, April 1, or June 3; 9a.m. - Noon in Murray

Instructor:  Sally Brannen, MSU

Location:  Room 106 Faculty Hall, MSU Main Campus

OR (b) Half-Day Saturday Workshop:  Feb. 4, April 1, or June 3; 9a.m. -Noon in Paducah

Instructor:  Brian and Veronica Mitchell

Location:  Room 105, MSU’s Paducah Campus (3000 Irvin Cobb Dr.)

Don’t panic over taking the ACT!  This half-day workshop helps high school juniors and seniors get ready for this important test by teaching useful strategies and test-taking tips.  An affordable way to prepare, the workshop can give any test-taker a good “heads up” before the test.  Course fee includes study materials.  $25  How To Register

Calligraphy for Beginners

2 Tuesdays,  March 21 and 28, 25; 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Instructor: Jennifer Wright, Art Instructor, Benton Co. (TN) Schools

Location: Room 242 Industry and Technology Center

For those who want to learn enough calligraphy to address envelopes, send invitations, or do small creative projects, this class will teach the fundamentals of the popular "italic" style of calligraphy.  Class time will be dedicated to practice and feedback as well as instruction.  All supplies including pen, paper, and guide sheets are furnished. $75  How To Register

Grant Proposal Writing Workshop

One Friday:  April 14; 9 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Instructor:  Michael Wetherholt, MSU

Location:  Room 209, Industry and Technology Center

Learn from professionals how to search for funding opportunities, interpret guidelines, develop a narrative, design a budget, evaluate a proposal and learn important tips on the do’s and don’t of successful grant proposal writing.  The workshop fee includes all learning materials.  Morning refreshments provided.  $135  How To Register

Sign Language for Beginners

Three Mondays:  Feb. 27, March 6, and 13, 6-8 p.m.

Instructor:  Nancy Strong, MSU

Location:  Room 2213, Alexander Hall

This class is a great way to get started in the world of sign language.  Learn to sign the alphabet, colors, numbers, days of the week and other basic vocabulary including family signs.  Topics will include deaf culture, American sign Language, signed English and special equipment for the deaf or hearing impaired.  Class content will be adapted to the needs of the participants.  $85 (includes textbook and other reference materials)  How To Register

Sign Language for Beginners II

Three Mondays:  March 27, April 3 and 10; 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Instructor:  Nancy Strong, MSU

Location:  Room 2213, Alexander Hall

Participants enrolling in this class should know the alphabet, numbers, and several basic signs.  This class will assist participants to build their sign language vocabulary, sign short stories and songs, and improve facial expression.  $85 with textbooks and reference guide or $60 without. How To Register

Conversational Japanese

10 one-hour sessions (choose from 4 sections):

Section 1: 10 Mondays, Feb. 27, March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 10, 17, 24, May 1 and 8; 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Section 2: 10 Tuesdays, Feb. 28, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 11, 18, 25, May 2 and 9; 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Instructor:  Yoshiki Sato

Location:  2209 Alexander Hall

Have you ever wanted to learn another language?  Japanese is one of the most important languages in today's global marketplace.  This class is a fun, easy way to learn the fundamentals of conversational Japanese from an enthusiastic master teacher.  Instructor, Yoshiki "Yoshi" Sato is a native of Japan, who graduated from MSU.  He has extensive language teaching experience with both children and adults.  Students in this class will learn useful daily expressions, grammatical structures, and proper pronunciation in ten, enjoyable one-hour sessions.  $125 (includes textbook)  How To Register

Songwriting Made Easy

Four Thursdays:  January 19, 26, Feb. 2 and 9; 6-8 p.m. OR April 13, 20, 27, and May 4; 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Instructor:  Rick Scott

Location:  Room 504, Faculty Hall

This fun, hands-on course will explore the basic techniques of songwriting.  You don't have to be an accomplished musician to learn how to transform an idea or theme into your own creative masterpiece!  This workshop will help participants discover the lyrics inside them and receive valuable feedback on how to connect them.  Participants will also learn the inside of the music business from how to publish and market a song to how royalties work.  Instructor Rick Scott has worked with some of the industry's greats on Music Row with over 25 years of experience in production, publishing, songwriting and musician credits.  $75  How To Register

Basic Conversational Spanish

Three Tuesdays and Thursdays:  April 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27; 6-8 p.m.

Instructor:  Mandy Alvizo, MSU

Location:   TBA

As western Kentucky continues to welcome more migrant Hispanic workers, this course can give you a head start in learning a language with increasing importance.  You won't become fluent, but the purpose of this 12 hour, 4-week class is to teach the basics of effective communication.  Topics include: basic greetings, common expressions, numbers, time and dates, and work-related applications. $65  How To Register

Ballroom Dancing

 Five Thursdays:  April 13, 20, 27, May 4 and 11; 7;30-9:00 p.m.

Instructor:  Elsie Thurman, Thurman School of Dance

Location:  Dance Lounge, Carr Health Building

It's swing time! Get your exercise and learn one of the most popular dance styles today- American Ballroom Dancing.  You don't have to have a partner to learn all the right moves for the New Ballroom, Lating and Smooth (Fox Trot, Cha-Cha, Waltz, Rumba, and Swing), Society Dancing, Swing Revival, and more. $55  How To Register

Beginning Line Dancing

 Five Mondays:  April 10, 17, 24, May 1 and 8; 7;30-9:00 p.m.

Instructor:  Donna Witherspoon, MSU

Location:  Dance Lounge, Carr Health Building

This class will teach the basic 20 steps of line dancing.  A partner is not needed, although aspects of couples and singles line dancing will be taught.  Beginner dances taught include: the Cowboy Charleston, the Electric Slide, and the Sidewinder.  Intermediate dances taught include: the Tennessee Twister, the Jamaican Run, and the Watermelon Crawl.  $60, includes manual  How To Register

Piano Lessons for Busy People (Easy)

One Saturday:  May 20; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Instructor:  Bernie Schweickart

Location:  Ohio Room, Curris Center

If you have always wanted to play the piano this FUN three and a half hour class is for you!  You will learn to play using the system the pros use… CHORDS!  The class will teach basic note reading so you can play a lot while reading very little.  You will learn several songs in class as well as some amazing shortcuts that most piano teachers never tell you.  And a few easy tricks such as arpeggios, vocal accompaniment, and just for fun a rockin’ piano style like Jerry Lee Lewis.  This class is a BEGINNERS but you will be playing before you leave… guaranteed!  $58    How To Register

Piano Lessons for Busy People (Intermediate)

One Saturday:  May 20; 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Instructor:  Bernie Schweickart

Location:  Ohio Room, Curris Center

If you play the piano a little and can read the Treble Clef (F A C E and Every Good Boy Does Fine) and want to sound like a pro sign up for this FUN 3 hour class today!

You will learn all the Chords and Arpeggios and Quick tricks to play “The Rose, Unchained Melody, Unforgettable, Somewhere Over The Rainbow and more.  You will learn how to use the “K” Chart, a simple method to figure out 96 different Chords, and for extra fun, how to sound like Fats Domino!  The morning class is a good refresher course if needed.  $58  How To Register

Cake Decorating for Beginners

Three Tuesdays:  Feb 21, 28, and March 7; 6-8 p.m.

Instructor:  Vickie Young and Holly Sharpe, A Piece of Cake

Location:  Room 2210, Alexander Hall

Your imagination is the only limit to decorating fabulous cakes! Let a professional baker and designer demonstrate how it's done.  Then, decorate your own confectionary masterpiece.  This course will show you how to make floral designs, borders, holiday designs, and all the basics needed for cake decoration.  Course fee includes ingredients and beginner cake decorating tools.  $65  How To Register

Advanced Cake Decorating

Three Tuesdays:  March 14, 21, and 28; 6-8 p.m.

Instructor:  Vickie Young and Holly Sharpe, A Piece of Cake

Location:  Room 2210, Alexander Hall

This course is designed to help the student build on skills already learned.  Practice and perfect the more advanced tricks and techniques for decorating fabulous cakes and producing icing masterpieces.  A basic knowledge of cake decorating or participation in the "Beginners" class is suggested before taking this course.  Course fee includes ingredients and cake decorating tools.  $65  How To Register

Barbecue Judge Certification

1 Saturday:  June 3; times TBA

Instructor:  TBA

Location:  Murray Room, Regional Special Events Center

Seriously. Sponsored by the Regional Special Events Center, this class certifies the participant as a barbeque judge under the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) guidelines.  A Certified Barbeque Judge (CBJ) is a person who likes barbecue, and who is serious about excellence in judging barbeque.  The KCBS Judge Certification Program is designed to train barbecue judges in basic objective standards for judging barbeque meat in KCBS sanctioned cooking contests.  It does not mean that KCBS tells you how to score, but rather that you understand the scoring system. 

The program is part lecture, and part hands-on.  The four basic KCBS categories (Chicken, Ribs, Pork & Brisket) are reviewed, along with characteristics of those properly barbequed items.  The KCBS scoring system is discussed by judging criteria—Appearance, Taste & Tenderness.  Then the fun begins.  The student becomes a judge in a simulated contest.  The meat is tasted and scored, critiqued within that judging table, and finally critiqued with the whole class.  The judging process is repeated until all four KCBS categories have been judged.  A lively Q & A session wraps up the session.

The CBJ Instructor will explain the benefits of KCBS membership, how to submit for specific contest judging opportunities, how to become a Certified Master Judge, what the cooking teams go through to compete, and much, much more.  $75 non-KCBS members (includes class materials and one-year membership into the Kansas City Barbeque Society);  $50 KCBS members  How To Register