Classes & certificates

Participants will identify the unique challenges of Anticipatory Grief, Ambiguous Loss and Disenfranchised Grief over three 1-hour live webinars with Dr. Erica Srinivasan.

Communication across cultures often breaks down due to basic cultural differences that are misunderstood and frequently invisible. We introduce you to tools that enable you to identify and understand cultural differences and lay a foundation for strong cultural competency, domestically and globally.

This comprehensive study of music theory provides a complete set of tools handy for either a lifelong interest in music or preparing to take college entrance exams. Explore theoretical concepts in the context of real-world projects through the repertoires of famous composers.

Continue to learn German conversation and grammar in a fun and relaxed environment. Polish your German listening, speaking, reading and writing skills , and learn about the history and traditions of German-speaking people. Prerequisites: German 3 or instructor's consent.

Continue to learn German conversation and grammar, the history and traditions of German-speaking people, and tips for travelers as you immerse yourself in a fun and relaxed environment. Prerequisites: German 2 or instructor's consent.

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.

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.

Overwhelmed trying to solve complex organizational challenges? Learn a proven, step-by-step method to clearly define the real problem and generate workable, novel solutions. Gain the strategic approach needed to make confident decisions and drive positive change.

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.

Improve your professional proficiency in Spanish and gain the cultural knowledge you need to do business with clients and colleagues from across Spain and Latin America. Learn to communicate professionally via email, telephone and videoconferencing in this practical skills-based certificate.

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.

Stop fearing defensive reactions; instead, develop a coach approach to feedback. Learn when to use it (and when not to), how to handle strong emotions and practice through role-plays and case studies. Get skills you can use immediately.