Brigham Young University. Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education, which today serves more than 300,000 students, owes its existence to President Franklin S. Harris, who in 1921 organized the Extension Division, out of which the Division of Continuing Education has grown. In 1946, a quarter of a century later, President Howard S. McDonald appointed Harold Glen Clark to replace Lowry Nelson as director of the Extension Division. Clark immediately saw the great potential of his new assignment and the Extension Division began to make great progress. The unusual growth of continuing education during Clark's tenure was due to several factors. There was a remarkable growth in the Church itself. The teachings of the Church create within the members a desire to continue their learning and to broaden their experience. After World War II the educational systems of the country allowed more flexibility in the extension of services to a wide audience. The cultural, economic, and social conditions of the world encouraged new forms of educational service. And, finally, the dedicated faculty was willing to serve broad educational interests. A number of years ago a California educator from a prestigious institution, who had been invited to attend one of BYU's Education Week programs, commented, "This is all very fine, and we could do the same thing except for two reasons: First, our faculty wouldn't teach, and, second, the students wouldn't come." The 300,000-member student body of Continuing Education resulted from taking willing teachers to eager students wherever they might be. When he left the University in 1971 to become president of the new Provo Temple, Harold Glen Clark turned over to new director Stanley A. Peterson a well-structured organization for disseminating educational materials and programs. Adult education had been explored, developed, and promoted on three broad fronts: evening classes, education weeks, and off-campus centers. Other projects included special workshops and seminars. Building on that foundation, Peterson has led Continuing Education through five years of spectacular growth, and the new income has at least doubled.

The Degrees by Independent Study Program was established as a division of the Continuing Education Department. This program offered classes to students who have attended BYU previously (over two years ago) or have never attended BYU but are at least 23 years of age and have not completed their bachelor's degree; are in good standing with any institutions of higher education they previously attended (this implies that applicants will have no less than a 2.0 cumulative grade point average); will abide by the BYU Honor Code and receive an annual ecclesiastical endorsement; successfully complete a 1-credit hour prerequisite Independent Study course (StDev 100), have passed the TOEFL exam (if not a native speaker of English) with a score of 500+; have been approved by the BGS admissions committee. This division has recently been discontinued. It is now called the Bachelor's of General Studies Program, or BGS.

The Division of Continuing Education provides programs that satisfy almost any kind of learning need, both educational and religious for credit or personal enrichment. Students include professionals, homemakers, retired persons, youth, and children. Learning takes place through conferences, correspondence, evening classes, off-campus centers, and travel study. The Harman Lectures are in honor of Caroline Hemenway Harman. The annual lecture was announced 3 January 1983 at a special gathering commemorating the 110th anniversary of her birth. A member of the BYU faculty or a recognized scholar is invited to give a special lecture each year near the date of Sister Harman's birth.

The Division of Continuing Education began its existence in 1921 when the Extension Division was established to consolidate the various attempts by faculty to extend educational opportunities to adults off campus and attempts at evening classes. The Division has experienced strong growth over the years and continues to offer quality continuing educational opportunities to adults within Brigham Young University's sphere of influence.

The Brigham Young University Division of Continuing Education has programs available to satisfy almost any kind of learning need, both educational and religious. Students can take programs, courses, and classes in hundreds of subjects. The Division of Continuing Education provides learning opportunities through conferences, workshops, correspondence, evening classes, and off-campus centers.