Classes & certificates

Continue to refine your French conversational skills, practice your pronunciation, and brush up on grammar with a convivial group and an experienced instructor at the French House on UW–Madison's campus.

This practical low-intermediate course (A2.1), designed by UW-Madison for adult language learners, explores the cultural richness of the Francophone world, while growing your speaking and comprehension skills. Learn to discuss real-life situations with the imperative, near future and past tenses.

This practical high beginner's course (A1.2), designed by UW–Madison for adult language learners, explores the cultural richness of the Francophone world while improving your ability to converse about real-life topics. Focuses on the present tense with an introduction to past tenses.

This practical beginner's course (A1.1), designed by UW–Madison for adult language learners, explores the cultural richness of the Francophone world while helping you master the basics of French. Learn to talk about life, family, work and travel with this popular course.

Please join us for this free webinar, which previews our upcoming course, Mastering Modern Presentation Skills, offered online this spring through UW–Madison Continuing Studies.

Please join us for this free webinar, which previews our upcoming course, Design Thinking for Innovative Problem Solving, offered online this winter through UW–Madison Continuing Studies. What you'll learn Design thinking is a powerful and people-centered approach to solving complex challenges. In this preview webinar, we will introduce the five stages of the design thinking process and share how this method helps professionals (not just designers) drive creativity and innovation in real-world scenarios. You will also participate in a brief, interactive, fun activity to get a glimpse of the full course content. Learning Objectives Identify the five modes of the human-centered design thinking cycle: Empathy, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test. Recognize that design thinking can be utilized to solve problems in various settings, not only in design. Course instructor Holly Anne Burns, founder of Burns Design Strategy and expert in innovation and collaboration, will lead the webinar along with program staff. Who should attend? This free webinar is open to anyone interested in learning how to solve complex problems using design thinking techniques. Whether you lead teams, manage projects, support learning and development, run a business, or are simply curious about innovation tools, you are welcome to join. Take the first step and join us for this interactive introductory session on November 13!You can learn more about the full course, coming in January 2026, here. 

Participants in this 3-hour seminar will be introduced to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), where it fits into the history of psychotherapy in the United States and how it incorporates aspects of Cognitive Behavior Therapy and mindfulness practices into its approach to treatment.

Designed for working professionals, this hands-on course equips you with practical tools to tackle real-world challenges in both business and everyday life.

If you've ever wanted to compose your own music, this course is for you! Beginners: Complete six composition activities modeled after exercises assigned to great composers. Experienced composers: Stretch your ideas in new or already completed pieces. Prerequisite: basic music notation skills.

Achieving consensus is a critical, yet nuanced skill. This course equips you with the tools and techniques to navigate group decision-making and reach effective agreements.

Explore core coaching techniques, including maintaining presence, listening actively and asking powerful questions. This course enables learners to unlock potential in others, foster growth, and build impactful relationships through coaching skills.

This 38-hour blended certificate course with instructors Laura Saunders and Adrienne Allen is for participants wanting to learn or relearn the knowledge and skills necessary to reach Motivational Interviewing (MI) proficiency. This course is also offered in a new format with an in-person component.

Advance your grief support skills with Advanced Grief—a 12-hour, online, asynchronous course for professionals. Deepen your knowledge of grief theories, enhance applied skills and engage in interactive learning. Ideal next step after the Grief Support Specialist Certificate.