Fall 2024 Non-Credit Courses

Courses Starting in September through December

Three times a year – spring, summer and fall – CT State Manchester’s Continuing Education and Workforce Development department offers a variety of professional development and personal enrichment non-credit courses. The courses may be offered on-line or on campus and are designed to meet the varying educational needs of the community.

Below please find the list of current offerings. Specifications such as prerequisites and equipment needs are contained in each course description.

Some non-credit courses qualify for veterans’ benefits and/or SNAP funding. For more information about veterans’ benefits, contact Veterans Services at 860.512.3375. For more information about SNAP funding, visit the SNAP web page.

To Register: Submit an online Non-Credit Registration Form. Once registered, students will be emailed a confirmation with payment instructions. Students may pay online, by phone, by mailing a check/money order, or in person at the Bursar’s Office.

Allied Health

Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Hybrid

Full program details and registration information

Pharmacy Technician Certification & Internship (Online)

Full program details and registration information

Phlebotomy Technician (On Campus) SNAP Eligible

Full program details and registration information

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Full program details and registration information

Basic First Aid & CPR/AED for Adults/Children & Infants

This American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI) First Aid and CPR training program is designed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge, skills, and confidence to respond to a wide range of medical emergencies. This comprehensive training covers basic first aid skills, such as responding to stroke, heart attack, diabetic reactions, fractures, sprains, allergic reactions, choking, bleeding, heat- and cold-related emergencies, shock, mental illness, poison and more. In addition, participants will receive training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for adults, children, and infants, as well as the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) and Narcan. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a two-year, nationally recognized ASHI certification. Please bring your lunch and a $10 check payable to the instructor for the certification card.
CRN 80918 | Fee: $150
1 Friday | 10/11 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
SSC Room L240
Instructor: Richard Siena, MCJ

Art and Photography

iPhone Photography

Learn how to get the most out of your iPhone features by shooting, editing and sharing photographs. That’s right, using only your iPhone, you will develop these photographic skills! Learn simple tips and tricks that will take your photography to the next level: how to adjust and edit photos, how to download photo apps and use them, and how to import, save and share photos. Please bring your iPhone to class.
CRN 81093 | Fee: $65
1 Saturday | 10/12
9 a.m.-12 p.m. | AST Room D211
Instructor: Richard Hoyer, M.A.

Using Your Digital SLR

This class will focus on the specifics of using a digital SLR and will answer many of the questions on how to get the most out of your camera. Topics will include choosing the proper file format and resolution, compression, lenses, white balance, color space, exposure compensation, saturation and contrast controls. Classroom presentations and hands-on experience will help you to learn about your camera and the use of the RAW file format. Students will learn how to use Adobe Photoshop to download images and process RAW files, as well as essential tools for processing digital photographs. Students should bring their own digital SLR camera to class.
CRN 81094 | Fee: $125
2 Saturdays | 10/19-10/26 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
AST Room D211
Instructor: Richard Hoyer, MA, MFA

Advanced Digital SLR

Advanced photographic topics relating to digital SLRs will include improving images with Adobe Photoshop CC, as demonstrated by the instructor; focusing on exposure and image quality-control in a variety of challenging lighting situations, including creative use of on-and off-camera flash units; color correction; masking techniques; nondestructive editing; and learning through instructor demonstration how to use Photoshop to explore the digital imaging workflow. Some elements of Adobe Camera RAW will also be covered. Students should have their digital SLR camera handy.
CRN 81095 | Fee: $65
1 Saturday | 11/9 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
AST Room D211
Instructor: Richard Hoyer, MA, MFA

Dollar-Savvy Décor: Affordable Interior Design Techniques

Unlock the secrets of stylish interiors without breaking the bank. In this course, you will be guided through the art of creating beautiful spaces on a limited budget. From clever repurposing and strategic shopping to DIY hacks and budget-friendly decorating ideas, you’ll discover how to maximize impact without maxing your budget. Whether you’re furnishing a first apartment, updating a family home, or simply looking to refresh your space affordably, this class will equip you with the inspiration to achieve your goals without compromising on style. Learn how to make every penny count as you transform your space into a haven of creativity and comfort.
CRN 81097 | Fee: $40
1 Saturday | 10/19
10 a.m.-12 p.m. | SSC Room L240
Instructor: Jill Betts, MBA

Body, Mind and Spirit

First Degree Reiki Training (On Campus)

It’s time to become the strongest member of your personal health care team. Learn a thorough history of Reiki from its ancient origins to its adaptation to the modern office, hospital, and daily life. Participants will learn about the capabilities of Reiki, Reiki principles, hand positions for healing both self and others, and receive an attunement to awaken one’s ability to utilize the energy. Participants will discuss the plentiful benefits of Reiki for both the client and practitioner, and will participate in a guided meditation to meet their Reiki Master Guide. This course includes two Reiki sessions: one as a recipient and one as a Reiki practitioner. Certificate and materials provided to each student. Please bring a blanket, pillow and your lunch to class.
CRN 80468 | Fee: $180
1 Saturday | 9/21
8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | LRC Room B144
Instructor: Dory Dzinski, MA

Second Degree Reiki Training (On Campus)

Building on First Degree Reiki Training (or if you’ve taken Reiki with a different instructor), this course introduces the first three ancient, sacred Reiki symbols that are used to focus on healing, and will learn how to conduct a formal distance healing. Participants will also learn to how to create a Reiki Crystal Grid and will participate in a guided meditation to meet their shadow component. At the end of the course, students will incorporate the Reiki symbols to give and receive a full Reiki session and to send a distance healing as a second degree Reiki practitioner. Certificate and materials provided to each student. Please bring a blanket, pillow and lunch to class.
CRN 80469 | Fee: $199
1 Saturday | 10/19
8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | LRC Room B144
Instructor: Dory Dzinski, MA

Reiki III: Master (On Campus)

Building on First Degree Reiki Training and Second Degree Reiki Training (or if you have taken these levels with another instructor), this course teaches Reiki practitioners about three additional sacred Reiki symbols to access healing on a spiritual level. Participants will use and receive advanced psychic healing techniques during this hands-on session. They will learn how to conduct a self-attunement and will participate in a past life regression. Certificate and materials provided to each student. Please bring a blanket, pillow and lunch to class.
CRN 80470 | Fee: $240
1 Saturday | 11/16
8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | LRC Room B144
Instructor: Dory Dzinski, MA

Computer Technology

Computer Technology offerings may be added throughout the semester. Check back periodically for updates.

Family, Finance and Consumer Issues

The 2024 Presidential Election: The Candidates and Where they Stand on Important Issues

This coming November, Americans will go to the polls to elect a new President. The purpose of this short course is to provide voters an opportunity to learn about the policy positions of the leading presidential candidates. What ideals and values do the candidates stand for? What does each candidate hope to accomplish during the next four years if elected? What are their positions on important issues such as inflation, the national debt, foreign trade, immigration, global climate change, taxation, government spending, economic inequality, women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, and foreign affairs? Students will engage in a respectful dialogue on controversial issues.
CRN 80939 | Fee: $50
5 Wednesdays | 10/9-11/6 | 4-5 p.m. | AST Room C210
Instructor: Angelo Messore, MA, MPhil

Organize Your Space, Simplify Your Life: The Art of Decluttering

Are you ready to dive into the art of creating organized clutter-free spaces that foster peace and productivity? From exploring decluttering techniques and implementing effective storage solutions to creating personalized organization systems tailored to your lifestyle, you’ll learn practical strategies to transform any space into a harmonious oasis. Whether you’re tackling a cluttered closet, chaotic kitchen, or overwhelmed living room, this class will provide you with tools, tips, and inspiration to declutter, organize, and maintain your home with confidence. Embark on a journey to reclaim your space and restore balance to your life.
CRN 81098 | Fee: $40
1 Saturday | 11/16
10 a.m.-12 p.m. | SSC Room L240
Instructor: Jill Betts, MBA

Estate Planning (Online)

Life circumstances can change in an instant. If they do, are you prepared? In this course, you’ll learn about wills, trusts, powers of attorney (POA), and healthcare directives. You’ll walk away understanding what these documents are for, and what you need to do to create yours. Even if you have already created an estate plan, learn if you should have your existing documents reviewed and updated. All students will receive an easy-to-understand estate planning guidebook written by our attorneys. Please note: This course will be taught as a webinar (listen-only with a chat feature to ask questions) through the law firm’s online platform. Registrants will be emailed further instructions and a link to the webinar one to three business days prior to class.
CRN 81043 | Fee: $20
1 Tuesday | 10/8 | 6-7 p.m. | Online
Instructor: Attorneys from Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri

Understanding Trusts: Are They Right for You? (Online)

What exactly is a trust, and what can a trust do for you? You’ve heard about the different types – revocable, irrevocable, special needs, discretionary, testamentary, and tax trusts. In this course, we’ll demystify trusts and explain how a trust could be suitable for you. Topics to be discussed include: minimizing or avoiding taxes, protecting assets from potential ex-spouses and creditors, keeping public benefits for loved ones, providing for a beneficiary who is disabled or has special needs, and how avoid probate court. Whether you are new to trusts or understand them well, this course will benefit you. Following the course, all students will receive an easy-to-understand trusts guidebook. Please note: This course will be taught as a webinar (listen-only with a chat feature to ask questions) through the law firm’s online platform. Registrants will be emailed further instructions and a link to the webinar one to three business days prior to class.
CRN 81044 | Fee: $20
1 Tuesday | 10/15 | 6-7 p.m. | Online
Instructor: Attorneys from Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri

Planning for Long-Term Care: Understanding Medicaid and How to Protect Your Assets (Online)

Connecticut’s long-term care costs are the second highest in the nation. You’ve likely heard horror stories of people losing their homes to pay for care. Attend this session to learn how you can protect assets with a carefully orchestrated plan. You’ll walk away understanding how you can properly protect your life savings. You’ll also learn about Medicaid and how it can help you pay for long-term care costs, Medicaid’s confusing rules, what it takes to apply, who can help you complete an application, and much more will be discussed. We’ll also cover strategies to protect your money if an unforeseen crisis arises. Following the course, all students will receive an easy-to-understand Medicaid and planning for long-term care guidebook. Please note: This course will be taught as a webinar (listen-only with a chat feature to ask questions) through the law firm’s online platform. Registrants will be emailed further instructions and a link to the webinar one to three business days prior to class.
CRN 81045 | Fee: $20
1 Tuesday | 10/22
6-7 p.m. | Online
Instructor: Attorneys from Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri

Music

Brian Wilson and Paul Simon are arguably two of the greatest songwriters and musicians of our time. During this class, we will analyze the music and the messages of these two giants of music: Brian Wilson as a member of the Beach Boys and as a solo artist, and Paul Simon as a member of Simon and Garfunkel and a solo performer. We will analyze in detail two classic albums: “Pet Sounds” by the Beach Boys and “Graceland” by Paul Simon. All music fans are invited to participate in this course. If you don’t know much about these two artists, you will be amazed by what you hear.
CRN 81040 | Fee: $65
6 Tuesdays | 10/1-11/12 (does not meet 11/5)
7-9 p.m. | VIL 5 Room V151
Instructor: Stephen Armstrong, MA

Real Estate

Real Estate Principles and Practices (Hybrid)

Full program details and registration information

Skills for the Workplace

Introduction to Grant Writing (Online)

Full program details and registration information

Beginning Grant Writing Workshop (Online)

Full program details and registration information

Project Management Essentials

Project management is a widely recognized discipline. It has become a key ingredient to ensuring successful, on-time and on-budget projects. You should attend this course if you have led a project or will lead one in the future. The course is also recommended for anyone who will be actively participating in a project. You will learn how to determine the scope, characteristics and success of a well-defined project; how to gather and document requirements; leadership essentials; what a work breakdown session is all about; and how to schedule, estimate and handle project closure.
CRN 80994 | Fee: $299
2 Wednesdays | 12/4-12/11
9 a.m.-4 p.m. | LRC Room B144
Instructor: John Lombardo, MBA

Leadership for Everyone

You don’t need an official title to be a leader in your organization. This course will explore the main characteristics of leadership with the goal of contributing value to your organization, whether you’re in a formal leadership position or not. We will review results of leadership (leading with courage and a drive for results); people leadership (influencing others, coaching, building talent pools, speaking with impact, listening actively, building relationships and fostering communication); thought leadership (leading through change, supporting innovation and strengthening decision-making skills); and self-leadership (building trust, demonstrating adaptability, practicing self-development and fostering collaboration).
CRN 81054 | Fee: $299
2 Wednesdays | 11/13-11/20
9 a.m.-4 p.m. | LRC Room B144
Instructor: John Lombardo, MBA

Writing, Publishing and Literature

More Great Books

Come join a community of avid readers in this popular series of book discussions led by faculty and staff members. Offering a provocative mix of new and classic literature each semester, the course meets at two-week intervals to allow time for reading. Books are available at local and online bookstores and at most libraries. Copies will be also available in the CT State Manchester Library on a first-come, first-served basis; availability may be limited, depending on the book’s popularity or release date, so we recommend calling the library at 860-512-2880 to confirm.
CRN 80471 | Fee $25
6 Wednesdays | 9/11-11/20 (every other week)
3:30-5 p.m. | AST Room C203

September 11 – Several Literary Pieces
In honor of September 11th and its significance in American history, we will explore several short literary pieces that reflect on tragedy, triumph, resilience, and strength. Some of the readings include excerpts from Jonathan Foer’s novel, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close; Robert Pinsky’s poem, “The Anniversary”, Colum McCann’s “Dessert”, and other non-fiction pieces. We will discuss the literature with this focused question in mind: What impact has September 11 had on American identity? In advance of our meeting, a reading packet will be assembled and made available to participants via email and outside the Office of Continuing Education (LRC B147).
Instructor: Garrett Dell

September 25 – Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor
This novel is a prequel to The Great Gatsbyby F. Scott Fitzgerald told from the perspective of the female characters. Cantor provides insight into the backgrounds of Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker specifically. Kirkus reviews says, “This Gatsby retelling reveals more about the women in the story by casting them as humans, not decorative baubles. Cantor asks and answers : Who were the real fools in Gatsby’s world?”
Instructor: Heather Styckiewicz

October 9 – Time is a Mother by Ocean Vuong
The 2024-2025 CT State Manchester Common Read text is a collection of poems that speak to themes of family history, grief, loss, memory, and American identity. These poems are at once deeply personal as Vuong reckons with the death of his mother, and communal as he writes of familiar spaces and shared experiences. Vuong grew up in Connecticut and attended Manchester Community College at the beginning of his academic career. He received an honorary degree from Manchester Community College in 2023, received the T.S. Eliot Prize in 2017, and was a 2019 MacArthur fellow.
Instructors: Gina Ocasion and Negussie Tirfessa

October 23 – New Teeth: Stories by Simon Rich
Two murderous pirates find a child stowaway on board and attempt to balance pillaging with co-parenting. A woman raised by wolves prepares for her parents’ annual Thanksgiving visit. An aging mutant superhero is forced to learn humility when the mayor kicks him upstairs to a desk job. And in the hard-boiled caper “The Big Nap,” a weary two-year-old detective struggles to make sense of “a world gone mad.” Equal parts silly and sincere, New Teeth is an ode to growing up, growing older, and what it means to make a family (from Goodreads).
Instructor: Linsey Muldoon

November 6 – A Place to Stand by Jimmy Santiago Baca
At 21, Jimmy Santiago Baca finds himself in a maximum-security prison for a drug deal gone bad. In the 1970s, punishment, not rehabilitation, was the system’s focus. Eventually placed in solitary, Baca’s imagination alone allows him to survive as he attempts to make sense of his life, for this prison was but one of the many prisons he had found himself in, abandoned by his family, uneducated, uncertain of his own worth.  Entering prison illiterate, he not only teaches himself to read and write, but he finds his voice as a poet, a voice that sustains him and promises freedom beyond the prison walls. A Place to Stand is both a raw and poetic memoir of the transformative power of language in the life of Jimmy Santigo Baca.
Instructor: James Gentile

November 20 – Shy by Max Porter
Max Porter’s latest novel brings us a night in the life of a boy who lives at Last Chance, a facility for neurodiverse teens in rural England. The titular character takes a walk in the woods with a backpack full of rocks, and what follows is a chorus of the voices in Shy’s head where we meet his caseworkers, his favorite musicians, and even some dead and possibly haunted badgers. Porter works in unexpected ways, pushing the boundaries of the novel form, always showing great curiosity and tenderness toward the children who need us most.
Instructor: Andrew Sottile

How To Register

Submit an online Non-credit Registration Form. Once registered, students will be emailed a confirmation with payment instructions. Students may pay online, by phone, by mailing a check/money order, or in person at the Bursar’s Office.

Questions? Email ceinfo@manchestercc.edu.

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