University Education (Continuing Education): Its Past, Present and Future.

Overview & Synopsis

University extension first came into practice in America at Queens College in 1816. Throughout the nineteenth century, a number of extension education programs were established in the United States. Originally aimed at providing both information and recreation, extension courses began to be geared toward meeting specific training needs of the people. By the turn of the century, the university extension movement was greatly aided by the extension work of agricultural colleges. By 1965 university extension programs varied greatly from institution to institution, as colleges and universities responded to what they perceived as the problems and needs within their areas of concern. At the same time, institutions began to recognize the need to offer various support services to increase access to their educational programs. Literature appearing in the 1970s usually speaks in terms of continuing education, with special emphasis on professional continuing education and increasing the use of electronic media to increase program audience size. The recent declines in college enrollments have created the need for a reexamination of the purposes and scope of extension education. Extension educators must assess local needs for extension education, increase the relevance of their programs, and improve their public relations efforts. (MN).