Rapidly changing economic, technical, and social issues challenge all organizations today. The Ohio State University at Lima provides the resources to confront these issues. Through Ohio State, your organization can obtain the educational and training experiences necessary to revitalize and enhance its effectiveness.

Charged with extending the University's resources in public service, the Office of Continuing Education and Community Service links Ohio State to the community through collaborative relationships between itself and external organizations. Contracted Programs are the premiere mechanism for this unique service to the community.

Who is served?

• Business
• Industry
• Civic Organizations
• Governmental Agencies
• Associations
• Health Care Providers
• Non-Profit Organizations

What is Involved?

Courses can be tailored to meet the needs of organizations. Through these programs, organizations can provide quality education and training for their employees - at a convenient time and place ...at controlled costs...and with continuous input in the planning and execution process.

Client-Based Courses:

Each program is client-based and represents a unique, customized response to specific needs.

Variable Formats:

• Course formats vary with the specific requirements of the organization -
• Graduate or undergraduate courses
• Seminars, workshops, and short courses
• Credit, noncredit, or combination programs
• Continuing professional education
• Technical assistance or consulting
• Deliver on- or off-campus, or on-site, at organization's place of business
• Electronic delivery
• Flexible and convenient scheduling

Cross-Disciplinary Approach:

Many Contracted Outreach Programs bring together the resources of several academic units. This interdisciplinary dimension provides flexibility in responding to an organization's training requirements.

Program Development:

In response to specific organizational needs, a program typically involves five phases:

1. Needs Assessment: The Office of Continuing Education and the organization work together to identify and meet needs. This includes specifying exactly what an organization seeks to achieve through the Contracted Outreach Program.
2. Program Development: All the educational activities intended to meet the organization's requirements are designed, selected, and organized. Of course, this process involves the organization, Continuing Education personnel, and in many cases, instructional resources from the University. Most often, Continuing Education personnel also identify the programs, courses, and sequences which will eventually be structured to form the contracted program. Continuing Education staff help the organization determine the best format for the program and serve as liaison between the organization and University departments or instructors.
3. Contract Development: The Office of Continuing Education facilitates the development of a formal program proposal as a consequence of the first three phases. This is submitted to the organization for modification. When full agreement between all parties is reached, a contract between the University and the client is finalized.
4. Program Delivery: Based on the final contract, the program is delivered in the system and instructional schedule previously established. The Office of Continuing Education supports all the aspects of program delivery, from registering students to making textbook and study materials available.
5. Program Assessment: Evaluations are made to determine if the program met the organizations requirements. Continuing Education and the organization determine the effectiveness of the program.