The College designed its Continuing Education program for learners of all ages, whether they want to update their professional skills, earn a certificate to help launch a new career, or just enjoy the chance to explore something exciting and new. From website design to wedding planning, from income tax preparation to positive parenting, there’s a class for every interest.

“Our online courses open doors to personal, professional, and civic growth,” says CCDC Continuing Education Director Neil Richardson. “We’ve placed special emphasis on skills for work in the region’s hottest industries, but we cover the full range of subjects for both personal and professional development.”The Continuing Education program is just one component of CCDC’s focus on educational opportunities tailored to the needs of D.C. residents. The College’s entire curriculum is the product of Washington’s collective vision for delivering access to high-quality, affordable postsecondary education, including pathways to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, workforce development programs, and enrichment courses for lifelong learning.

In addition to Continuing Education, the College offers 23 degree programs, from automotive technology to health care professions; certificate-driven programs that qualify students for careers in high-growth fields such as nursing and HVAC technology; and a Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning program to hone knowledge and skills in administrative technology, construction trades, health care, hospitality, office technology and green (environmental) technology.

General program areas in the Continuing Education program include accounting, business, healthcare and fitness, hospitality and gaming, green building and sustainability, green/renewable energy, media and design, and skilled trades and industrial. CCDC also plans to add new courses and areas of study based on community interest. For students planning to apply to college or graduate school, CCDC also offers classes to prepare for the SAT/ACT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT exams.

CCDC works with respected partners in online education to bring the D.C. community the most valuable and interesting classes offered anywhere. Intensive career and professional development classes help hone skills in areas such as computers and technology or writing and publishing. Courses with an emphasis on green industries provide valuable certifications in cutting-edge professions. And students in short-term legal studies courses can develop a specialization in the legal field—from alternative dispute resolution to victim advocacy.

The latest Continuing Education addition is the EdCafe, a virtual and real “third place” where visitors can link to an exciting array of D.C. cultural, educational, and research institutions that offer cutting-edge lectures, workshops, and events. EdCafe visitors discover great ways to explore their interests all over town, whether it’s attending a special tour of a Smithsonian exhibition or joining in a literary discussion at a neighborhood bookstore.

Continuing Education soon will be offering instructor-led classes in a variety of fields, including public service and nonprofit management, languages, liberal arts, website development, and project management training.

Best of all, CCDC’s online courses are affordable, convenient, and accessible any time of day or night. Students can choose from comprehensive, certificate-driven courses lasting 6 to 12 months, or opt for an intensive, short-term course of just six to eight weeks.

Opened in 2007, the Terry Lagree-design is an 18-hole, par-72 layout that stretches to 7,256 yards from the tips and plays to a beginner-friendly distance of 5,129 from the forward tees. Jack Frost National – managed by Billy Casper Golf – offers various elevation changes throughout the 200-acre plus course and dazzling views of the Pocono Mountains.

“The Pocono Mountains has a golf-laden history with designs by top architects of the Golden Age like A.W. Tillinghast, Robert Trent Jones and Donald Ross,” says Carl Wilgus, President and CEO of the PMVB. “With its modern layout and captivating views, Jack Frost National provides all the features golfers desire in a mountain course.”

Jack Frost National, like many Pocono Mountains courses, has placed an importance on conserving Mother Nature’s majesty. JFN is enrolled in Audubon International’s Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses to ensure that it helps protect the environment, preserves natural resources and provides wildlife habitats.

Defining new courses as ones opened from 2007 – 2009, Golfweek’s rankings take into account overall strength of routing, feature shaping, natural setting, greens, variety and memorability of holes, conditioning and maintenance, landscape management and other criteria. Golfweek sends approximately 400 “America’s Best” raters in search of the country’s finest golf courses. Those raters submit ballots grading on a 10-point scale and the scores for each course are averaged to get the overall rating.

For more information on the Pocono Mountains: Discover Golf’s Great Destination Secret, visit www.poconosgolf.com or call 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667).

About the “Pocono Mountains: Discover Golf’s Great Destination Secret”

The Pocono Mountains has long been known to avid travelers and mountain aficionados for its lush, relaxing family friendly ambiance and romantic setting, as well as its fall foliage, winter skiing, spring-summer outdoor recreation options and natural beauty. Numerous lakes, parks and other environmental wonderlands are found throughout the four-county Pocono Mountains region.

Combined with the close proximity to New England and Mid-Atlantic states, smart travelers are choosing to stay closer to home rather than fight the rising cost of getting away. If it’s an overnight stay, a weekend trip or an extended vacation, people are increasingly discovering the convenience and proximity of the Pocono Mountains golf properties and special offers available via the destination enhanced Web site (www.800poconos.com).

Discerning golfers are well aware that the Pocono Mountains are home to golf courses designed by renowned architects such as Donald Ross and A.W. Tillinghast. Pocono Mountains golf properties and value-laden golf packages are available on www.poconosgolf.com, which allows players to enjoy majestic mountain-view scenery, the area’s natural splendor, year-round amenities and unequaled value and variety.

Attributes of the golf-and-resort properties and destination include:

• Home to hundreds of golf holes at numerous clubs, many located close to one another
• Two NASCAR races held annually each spring-summer
• Golden Era of Golf Architecture period designs strongly represented by legendary designers Donald Ross and A.W. Tillinghast
• Golf, lodging and resort accommodations at all price points, from luxury to value
• Hiking, biking, camping, spas, horseback riding, boating, fishing, hunting and many other activities
• Attractions, festivals and other special events
• Meeting and conference facilities
• Great food at a wide array of eating establishments and resort restaurants
• Bed & breakfasts, country inns and resorts
• Antique shops, outlet malls and other unique shopping venues