Continuing Education

Refresh your skills or explore a new interest. Our continuing education opportunities will help you retool for what's next in life. Whether your goal is to continue your professional development or learn a new skill, our continuing education courses are current and relevant.

Classes are offered on both a for-credit and not-for-credit basis and have quarterly start and end dates. Most classes are held in the evenings and weekends to accommodate busy work schedules.

Check out our full array of classes and then register online. You can also call 253.680.7402 or 253.680.7577 to register by mail or over the phone using a MasterCard or Visa. In-person registrations are accepted at both the Downtown and South Campus registration office.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education classes are self supported, and Bates will cancel a class if there are too few participants enrolled to cover the cost. If your withdrawal notification is given on or before one business day prior to the first day of class, or the class is canceled, you will receive a 100 percent refund. Bates reserves the right to cancel, reschedule class times and/or dates, or change instructors. We will notify you only if the class is canceled.

Continuing education classes

Explore current class offerings by your area of interest.

Business Administration - Whether you need a computer class or want to brush up on accounting, our business administration courses are designed for you.

Construction & Trades - Includes refresher courses and certification courses for operating engineers and boiler certification. Be sure to also check our our home inspection certification program! We also offer courses in basic welding, electricity and HVAC/R.

Engineering & CAD/CAM - Courses for both beginning and advanced levels.

Health/Sciences - Designed for childcare and health care providers. Also includes phlebotomy, nursing assistant certified (NAC) and more.

Online Courses­ - Take a course or a whole series at your own pace. In some cases, students can apply for a certificate of training in the specified certificate series with appropriate college credits.

Public Safety - This area includes our Fire Recruit Academy, Emergency Medical Technician courses and First Aid/CPR.

Transportation & Distribution - Courses include flagger certification training and forklift operations.

Wholesale and Retail Services - Learn the fundamentals of barista service in our Barista program.