About Noncredit and Continuing Education
The Noncredit and Continuing Education (NCCE) team at CEPD expands access to lifelong learning, professional development, and personal enrichment opportunities to learners of all ages and backgrounds. Through outstanding educational programming, dynamic partnerships, and a commitment to excellence, NCCE offers courses, certificates, and customized training to meet the needs of individuals, employers, and communities.
Signature Programs
- The Network of Evaluation Services and Training (NEST) has a long history of supporting capacity building for nonprofits and community organizations in Pennsylvania. Through partnerships, joint projects, training, and technical assistance, NEST helps nonprofits maximize their social impact. Popular resources include trainings on Nonprofit Management skills, Grant Writing & Resource Building, and Direct Service Staff development.
- Off-Campus Programs and Training (OCPT) has been a fixture of workforce development for businesses, organizations, and nonprofits in the Greater Philadelphia community for more than 60 years. This team develops instructional programs tailored to the unique organizational objectives of its diverse clientele to assess, build, and hone essential employee skills, including business analysis & strategic thinking, communication, customer service, leadership & management, and project management.
- The Office of Noncredit and Continuing Education (ONCE) offers a wide variety of noncredit courses and certificate programs designed to help learners prepare for a new job, advance in their current job, or explore new directions. ONCE also collaborates with nationally recognized education partners, including LERN, ed2go, and Ziplines Education, to offer flexible online course options across more than 20 fields and skill areas.
- The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is a lifelong learning academy where, for the last 50 years, people 50 years and older attend classes and pursue the joy of learning. OLLI features a diverse range of in-person, online, and hybrid courses, allowing learners to shape their learning
- journey and learn new skills while fostering meaningful social connections with other learners and Temple student volunteers.
- The Real Estate Institute (REI) is the largest program for professional Real Estate education in Greater Philadelphia. For 50 years, REI has prepared real estate salespeople, brokers, appraisers, and property managers, as well as people interested in expanding their real estate knowledge.
Noncredit and Continuing Education’s Impact in FY2025
More than 1,000 training & educational programs facilitated
25,000+ learners served
11 conference or public presentations reaching 300+ professionals in the field
Collaborative partnerships with 17 TU departments and 41 community partners
CEPD in Action
Forging New Pathways to Education and Employment
In FY 24-25, CEPD forged a groundbreaking partnership with the Skills Initiative, the workforce development division of University City District in Philadelphia, PA. For more than a decade, the Skills Initiative’s (formerly West Philadelphia Skills Initiative) jobs-driven training model has been a leader in bridging the skills divide to connect Philadelphians with sustainable employment. This strategic alliance aims to empower Skills Initiative participants by providing access to high-impact micro-credentials and continuing education opportunities in high-growth industries with robust career pathways across leading employers. The launch will feature scholarships from the Skills Initiative, enabling 20 learners in Fall 2025 (FY 25-26) to enroll in and complete CEPD’s virtual CHW Certificate Training. These scholarships will cover course fees, procurement of essential books, and support technology needs or childcare, effectively removing barriers and fostering inclusive participation. By leveraging the Skills Initiative’s established employer relationships—such as those with renowned health industry leaders like Penn Medicine—this partnership aims to connect training graduates with meaningful, attainable career opportunities. Looking ahead, additional trainings and employer collaborations will be explored to expand the impact. The outcomes for FY 25-26 will be reported next year, marking the next chapter in this journey toward workforce empowerment.
Building a More Inclusive Future in Real Estate
The real estate industry is a high-demand field offering incredible opportunities for growth and earnings, yet diversity remains a significant industry-wide challenge. Currently, only 6% of the workforce identifies as Black/African American, 4% identify as Asian/Pacific Islander, and 10% identify as Hispanic/Latino. At the more senior levels of the real estate industry, the representation of BIPOC professionals dwindles to less than one percent. To address this disparity, CEPD’s OCPT and REI programs are collaborating to provide real estate education and professional development to high school students at West Philadelphia High School. Over the last three years, this program has provided in-class real estate lessons taught by Temple’s world-class faculty and staff, professional development sessions, and field trips to high school students at all levels. Through the hands-on curriculum, students gain career and college pathways exposure, skills, and professional networks tailored for entrepreneurial success and transitioning to college or trade certification. They also earn real estate pre-licensure hours prior to the end of their high school careers, making them eligible for real estate salesperson licensure immediately upon graduation. As a result, this career pathways-oriented partnership is opening doors to long-term careers in the real estate industry, harnessing the talent and potential of tomorrow’s leaders and fostering economic mobility. It has also paved the way for the long-term implementation of additional training programs with the School District of Philadelphia for those interested in pursuing career and college pathways in a variety of fields.