Accounting
Accounting Intro
This course is designed for those who have no prior accounting experience and are not necessarily on an accounting career path, but need an understanding of basic accounting principles.This is an excellent companion course to Quickbooks.Textbook purchase required.
#32408$199T6:00pm-8:30pm8/30-10/11Downtown Education Center
QuickBooks Intro
Learn how to manage your business more effectively with one software package.This class will cover the basics of QuickBooks along with tips to help you become more efficient in your day-to-day functions.Textbook purchase required.
#31653$179M6:00pm-9:00pm8/29-10/3Downtown Education Center
#30971$179M6:00pm-9:00pm11/14-12/12Truax Foundation Centre
Business and Marketing
Facebook and other Social Media for Business
With the groundswell of social media tools and strategies, customers have direct access to corporate management and are influencing business communications, product development, customization and personalization. Learn more about the social media phenomenon, its impact on marketing, and how to become an effective participant in the web world of social networking.
#31666$49W6:00pm-9:00pm9/14Downtown Education Center
#31015$49W6:00pm-9:00pm12/14Truax Foundation Centre
Selling on eBay
Do you want to turn your unwanted stuff into treasure? Conducting business online has been made relatively easy and profitable. This course provides you the opportunity to learn strategies to create a business on eBay.com and with other ecommerce channels.Intermediate-level computer skills required.
#31017$115R6:00pm-8:30pm10/13-11/3Truax Foundation Centre
Selling on Etsy
Are you crafty? Interested in selling your handmade items online? Learn the ins and outs of setting up shop on Etsy. Learn how to get started, how to enter descriptions of products and your shop, choose keywords, upload photos, and present a professional online storefront.Intermediate-level computer skills required.
#31032$115T6:00pm-9:00pm11/29-12/13Truax Foundation Centre
The Business of Art: Organizing a Business
Artists and craftspeople who are considering taking the next step from a hobby to an art-based business will learn the basic aspects of organizing and running a successful art-based service or retail business. Topics will include basic business planning, goal setting, networking, promoting, advertising, sales techniques, and some of the key elements for income tax considerations for art-based business models.
#31667$149R6:00pm-9:00pm10/6-10/20Downtown Education Center
The Business of Art: Running a Business
This course will expand on topics such as art-based business plans, goal setting and taxation as well as introduce a checklist of general best practices for setting up a business, proper forms to file, bookkeeping, and tax accounting issues. The class will also learn about promoting and selling online, juried art shows, and networking for art-based businesses.
#32543$199R6:00pm-9:00pm11/3-12/1Downtown Education Center
Home and Building Inspection
Becoming a Home Inspector 1
This course provides an initiation into the residential inspection process and is the first of two classes to prepare you for taking the State of Wisconsin Home Inspector exam.Considered an inspector's guide to the field, these courses will help you develop the art of identifying problem areas through observation. The course deals with various elements of a home including soils, foundation, exterior roofing, venting and insulation and construction of a new home.Textbook purchase required.
#32545$299T6:30pm-9:00pm9/20-10/25Truax Foundation Centre
Becoming a Home Inspector 2
Home Inspection is the art of identifying problem areas through observation. This two-course series prepares the student to take the state exams needed to become licensed. Second and final course focuses on the residential inspection process and part 2 of the inspector's guide to the field, this course deals with various elements of a home including plumbing, electrical and heating systems. This course will also include a discussion of changes to State policies in the field.Textbook purchase required.
#32551$299T6:30pm-8:30pm11/1-12/13Truax Foundation Centre
Horiculture and Landscaping Professional Development
Sustainable Landscapes
Utilizing the first set of national, voluntary performance benchmarks developed by the Sustainable Sites Initiative, learners will gain knowledge on how to improve sustainability in areas of landscape design, construction and maintenance operations. Learners will explore concepts such as analyzing soil conditions, conducting quality site assessments, compost and its components, capturing storm water runoff, using native plants and incorporating sustainable materials. Case studies will be introduced to highlight examples of sites in Wisconsin and the Midwest. Learners will have the opportunity to conduct a property analysis to determine ways to improve a sites sustainability.This course is intended for people who work in the horticulture industry.
#32787$249W5:30pm-8:30pm9/28-10/26Truax Campus
Insurance Continuing Education
Ethical Practices in Insurance
This class provides an overview of Wisconsin Insurance Laws including fair marketing, suitability of product, fair claims practices, agent responsibilities and relationships and making ethical decisions. 3 CE hours.
#32398$49W5:30pm-8:30pm11/2Downtown Education Center
Social Security
Trace the history of Social Security from 1935 to the present.Review the evolution of Social Security and the addition of Medicare and Medicaid and how they have impacted America.Benefits versus taxpayers' ability to pay will be examined. 3 CE hours.
#32401$45W5:30pm-8:30pm11/30Downtown Education Center
Identity Theft and Cybercrimes
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime against individuals. We will review different types of identity theft, how to identify and deter identity theft, and what to do if you become a victim. We will define cyberspace, discuss its new and different liability issues, and examine other types of cyberspace torts and crimes. Finally, we will review the modern day internet and how it has created a whole new area of law. 3 CE hours.
#32558$49R1:00pm-4:00pm12/8Downtown Education Center
Nonprofit Management
First priority for enrollment in the two classes below will go to those who are pursuing our post-baccalaureate CNP certificate. To enroll in either course, complete the required online approval form at
@NEW@CNP: Cultural Competency & Diversity
This course highlights the development of cultural competency preparation for professional practice in culturally diverse settings. Participants will learn: the role of culture, alternative views, and difference when advancing mission and engaging in nonprofit management practice; self-awareness to reduce the influence of personal biases and values when approaching and navigating encounters; dilemmas and challenges when working with diverse populations; and intercultural communication when working with diverse populations.Participants will take a personal assessment that will help identify their assets and learning needs related to intercultural communication and cultural competency.Textbook purchase required.
#33929$299Online9/26-10/31Online
CNP: Designing Programs for Long-term Sustainability
This class highlights program design, implementation and evaluation strategies applicable to all nonprofit organizations. Topics include: the importance of needs assessment, asset identification and other research findings that identify authentic community need; mission-driven program design and outcomes (designing programs for impact); how to adequately allocate and advocate for resources (staffing, space, funding, etc.); basics of effective program design, including: program logistics; program marketing; staff mentoring; evaluation.Participants will create a logic model for a nonprofit organization as an outcome of this class.Textbook purchase required.
#34046$299Online10/31-12/5Online
The following class does not count toward the Nonprofit management certificate.
@BADGE@Grant Writing Essentials
Learn the skills new grant writers must develop in order to write successful grant proposals. Topics include searching for grant makers and writing abstracts, needs statements, effective outcomes, and budgets. Applies to both public and private grant writing situations.Basic business and report writing skills are required.
#33489$179M1:00pm-4:00pm9/26-10/24Sun Prairie Colonial Club
#31654$179T5:30pm-8:30pm11/8-12/6Downtown Education Center
Professional Development
Everybody Wins: Turn Conflict into Collaboration
Learn why conflict happens in the workplace, change your perspective of conflict, and identify the most common workplace conflicts and ways people deal with conflict. Use an “Everybody Wins” approach in conflict situations, and take personal responsibility for dealing with conflict situations among peers, teams, managers, and employees.
#31429$49T6:00pm-9:00pm8/30Truax Foundation Centre
Event Planning
Explore the logistics needed to plan large events, corporate meetings, and conventions. Topics include choosing dates, locales, social media, registration methods, marketing techniques, catering and setup, and suggested timelines for successful event planning.
#32595$79W6:00pm-9:00pm9/7-9/14Truax Foundation Centre
@NEW@Project Management Skills
This course follows the suggested Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) and prepares students to be able to successfully manage projects, large and small alike.Examples of projects may be managing events, managing a construction project, implementing new processes & procedures, bringing a new machine online, changing suppliers, implementing a new software package, etc. This course covers the project life-cycle, and tools and techniques to successfully manage projects.Participants will learn to develop project plans, scope and requirements, work breakdown structures and critical paths, develop milestones and estimates, identify and manage resources, conduct risk analysis and contingencies, and monitor, execute and close projects.
#33856$399M6:00pm-9:00pm9/12-10/10Truax Foundation Centre
Email Usage and Etiquette
If you have a goal of improving your image and working relationships with clear, concise, professional, effective, and amicable communications, this 2-hour lab class is a fit for you. Learn how to improve response rates, accomplish your goals, and avoid misinterpretation.
#31033$39W6:00pm-8:00pm9/21Truax Foundation Centre
Customer Service Management
Learn effective methods to selectively hire, educate, manage, and measure customer service as well as strategies to deal with and recover from difficult service situations. Topics include best practices and an examination of internal systems and policies that impact service. This course is designed to help managers and supervisors of customer service representatives, call centers and help desks to increase customer satisfaction and profitability.
#31434$49W6:00pm-9:00pm9/28Truax Foundation Centre
Effective Meeting Facilitation
In this course, learn to effectively lead and facilitate meetings that stay on-track, encourage participation, strive for consensus decision making, and get results. Learn to set agendas, time frames, room layouts, and ground rules and how to deal with objections, interruptions, and hidden agendas. This course is ideal for managers, supervisors, committee heads and board leaders.
#31435$49W6:00pm-9:00pm10/5Truax Foundation Centre
Using the Interest-Based Approach for Problem Solving
This 3-hour learning event is an opportunity to deepen your understanding of what makes Interest-Based Problem Solving effective for solving problems collaboratively. You will have opportunities to practice distinguishing between interests and positions, which greatly increases the potential to generate successful solutions.
#33742$69W6:00pm-9:00pm10/5Truax Campus
Effective Public Speaking
One of the top qualities employers look for when hiring or promoting individuals is the ability to communicate effectively. Public speaking involves communicating clearly and effectively in all work situations to foster group teamwork, express an opinion, articulate a vision, and motivate others. In this class, you will learn techniques to reduce nervousness, prepare and organize information to assess situational effectiveness learn the importance of visual aids, and plan and deliver an effective presentation to different audiences.
#32574$139R6:00pm-9:00pm10/6-10/20Downtown Education Center
Workplace Professionalism
This course will help you learn how to develop professional skills that are essential for getting the job and keeping it. You will leave the class with strengthened professional skills, a compelling resume, and prepared for a great interview.
#32598$169MW4:30pm-6:00pm10/10-11/7Truax Ingenuity Center
Time Management Workshop
Productive and optimal use of time and space has never been a more important skill than in today’s workplace. This workshop will introduce concepts for assessing time usage, tools to improve time management, and utilize demonstrated methods to improve individual productivity.
#31050$49W6:00pm-9:00pm10/12Truax Foundation Centre
Power of Positive Relationships
Improve your relationships at work in order to build trust, become more productive and achieve better results. Managers, employees, or teams will benefit from learning how to focus on creating positive interactions in the workplace.
#31425$49T6:00pm-9:00pm10/25Truax Foundation Centre
Problem Solving and Tools
Learn about structured problem solving and tools to help define, analyze, develop solutions, and implement lasting results. Learn to identify cause and effect relationships, root cause analysis and how data can be used to develop lasting solutions.This course will help managers, supervisors, and anyone involved in continuous improvement efforts and projects to find effective means to address issues.
#31438$99T5:30pm-9:00pm11/1Truax Foundation Centre
Dealing with Difficult People
Learn techniques and strategies to help you deal graciously with difficult people.Gain a better understanding of why others act as they do, and develop improved responses to help de-escalate awkward situations.
#31428$49M6:00pm-9:00pm11/7Truax Foundation Centre
@NEW@Business Techniques to Persuade & Motivate
To achieve success in any venture, business or personal, there are three essential elements that are crucial to get what you want.In this course you will learn how to develop and deliver your unique elevator pitch, specific techniques on face-to-face networking to make the connections you need, and finally how to persuade your audience to choose you.Develop a clear vision on how to clearly and quickly articulate who you are and what you have to offer, how to get connected to the decision maker who will need or want you, and then close the deal!
#34013$69R6:00pm-8:00pm11/10-11/17Truax Campus
Habits for Success
Do you want to learn how to build and nurture meaningful relationships? Do you desire to learn, change and grow? This course will provide opportunities for you to learn timeless principles and proven techniques for personal and professional success.
#32596$89M6:00pm-9:00pm11/28-12/5Downtown Education Center
Introduction to Applied Statistics
Do you work with Big Data? Do you need to be able to understand statistics for your job? Do you hire others to analyze your data instead of doing it yourself? In this basic applied statistics course you'll learn how to look analytically at data, how to run basic statistics, and how to properly report your statistics and your visualizations.Intermediate computer skills required.A personal laptop will be required for this class, as well as ability to download and install the free software "R."
#32397$199W6:00pm-9:00pm8/31-10/5Truax Campus
@NEW@Intermediate Applied Statistics
Do you work with Big Data? Do you need to be able to understand statistics for your job? Do you hire others to analyze your data instead of doing it yourself? In this basic applied statistics course you'll learn how to look analytically at data, how to run basic statistics, and how to properly report your statistics and your visualizations.Intermediate computer skills required.A personal laptop with administrator privileges will be required for this class in order to download and install the free software "R."
#33841$199W6:00pm-8:40pm10/12-11/16Truax Campus
@NEW@Jump Start Your Brain (Concept development)
How do creative people come up with brilliant solutions to communication challenges — at work, in design and marketing, and even in their personal lives? It’s no secret... they exercise the creative muscles that everyone has, and apply new solutions to all aspects of life and work. Several brainstorming techniques will be introduced and put into practice. Projects will reflect contemporary solutions to real marketing challenges. No computer experience needed; your main weapon against mediocrity will be a #2 pencil and a blank sheet of paper.
#33350$179R6:00pm-9:00pm9/8-9/29Downtown Education Center
Essentials of Leadership Certification Courses
These courses may be taken individually or toward certification. See for more information about the certificate or the required classes.
Leadership Essentials
As a an overall collaboration of (standard) leadership resources and practices Leadership Essentials examines the practical behaviors and experiences associated with leading individuals and teams in day-to-day operational functions. The essentials serve as the foundation for more advanced applications of leadership practices, incorporating the various styles of leadership, applications of appropriate leadership traits, and the flexibility necessary to recognize the individual needs and talents of the leader and his/her reporting domain.
#31436$99W5:30pm-9:00pm10/19Truax Foundation Centre
Organizational & Personal Change
As both internal and external sources and forces of change act upon an individual, the ability to proactively prepare for and/or effectively react to a modification in “what is” allows for a cohesive transition of our behavior as the situation warrants.Through awareness of how change can affect our actions, and gaining an understanding of the value and reasons for change, we can better assimilate our progression and acceptance of the changes at hand while being an advocate and champion for the opportunities that may come to our role going forward.Also, understanding the overall change process and methods, practices, and techniques to help facilitate change are discussed.Many organizations have great ideas and intentions, but many fail due to poor planning and poor implementation.
#31430$99W5:30pm-9:00pm10/26Truax Foundation Centre
Situational Leadership
Specifically addressing a leadership style that recognizes the need to be flexible in a leader’s approach to “leading,” style varies by the situation presented to the leader.The leader moves through four primary styles of leadership, aligning his/her approach based upon the subject matter and the development level (maturity) of the individual being lead.
#31431$99W5:30pm-9:00pm11/2Truax Foundation Centre
Effective Communication
Communication is not communication until the desired, intended meaning and message is accurately conveyed.Listening for meaning rather than quickly responding and checking for understanding and accuracy are emphasized.Leaders must not only be able to speak so others can hear them, they need to be able to listen to effectively make decisions.