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About ODCE

The University of Arizona Outreach, Distance, and Continuing Education Division (ODCE: pronounced “odyssey”) is comprised of three functional departments: Outreach, Distance, and Continuing Education.

While each department can serve a specific population of students on its own, ODCE’s biggest strength lies in our collective ability to serve students in their Lifelong Learning Loop from precollege to degree or certificate, and beyond.

ODCE’s mission, vision, and values focus on optimizing our contributions to the University of Arizona’s overarching land-grant mission and strategic plan.

ODCE'S MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES

Our modern approach to education

ODCE programs are accessible through a mix of innovative teaching and learning approaches that include face-to-face, hybrid, and digital methods.

The Outreach department develops market demanding collegiate programs, increases Arizona community engagement via precollegiate programs to high school age students and workshops to community members.

Outreach is dedicated to developing forward-thinking, credit-bearing programs that respond to market demands. We take pride in collaborating with academic partners, employers and community organizations, as it is key to identifying emerging trends and relevant programs.

Functions of the program development process include but are not limited to:

• Market and labor research
• Curriculum design
• Program development
• Stakeholder alignment

These collaborations with Colleges and campus units to develop credit-based education programming exemplifies the University's dedication to education, embracing the innovation of learning methods for students, including location and live-online delivery methods.

Through community campus, the outreach division  increases Arizona community engagement via precollegiate programs to high school age students and free or reduced workshops to various members of the community including educators, veterans, and the community at large. 

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Through its land-grant mission, the University of Arizona is committed to serving the state of Arizona and students who seek to earn a high-quality degree from its flagship university. Programs at our Near You Network locations offer a mix of face-to-face, hybrid, and digital courses to meet the demands of students, giving them direct access to on-site faculty, advisors, program directors, and support staff. Through partnerships with local community colleges, students can earn a bachelor’s or graduate degree without leaving their community.

Maricopa County

Chandler

The University of Arizona Chandler serves Chandler and the greater Maricopa County area. In connection with the needs of industry and education across Maricopa County, we offer locally-focused programs led by world -class faculty for working students of all ages. Smaller, locally-based facilities and classrooms ensure students are supported and celebrated academically and personally as a member of the Arizona community.

Gilbert

The University of Arizona Gilbert is located in downtown Gilbert and equipped with a nursing simulation laboratory, designed to replicate a hospital patient-care setting and maximize simulated learning experiences. This location offers the nation’s first Bachelor of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in Integrative Health. The University of Arizona Gilbert also offers the Master of Science for Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MS-MEPN).

Yuma

The University of Arizona Yuma partners with Arizona Western College, Imperial Valley College in California, and other Arizona community colleges. With numerous 2+2 pathways offered, Yuma community college education doesn’t have to stop at an associate’s degree. After earning their associate’s degree at one of our partner schools, students can easily finish their bachelor’s degree at the University of Arizona Yuma. Graduate degrees and certificate programs are also available to expand opportunities for students in the tri-county area: Yuma County, La Paz County, and Imperial County in California.

Southern Arizona

Douglas & Nogales

The University of Arizona Nogales and Douglas locations extend the University’s educational mission by providing students affordable access to opportunities to earn high-quality and meaningful University of Arizona degrees. We partner with community colleges to offer undergraduate programs in a 2+2 format, allowing students to complete the first two years of their bachelor’s degree at a community college and seamlessly transfer their credits to complete their last two years at the University of Arizona Nogales and Douglas. These locations offer great opportunity for binational academic programs in the future.

The University of Arizona office of Continuing and Professional Education (CaPE) provides innovative and engaging noncredit learning experiences that transform the lives of individuals, organizations, and communities in Arizona and around the world. Our aim is to help adult learners gain the knowledge and skills they need to achieve career success. CaPE also offers lifelong learning opportunities to adults over the age of 50 through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and operates the University of Arizona Testing Office.

Continuing and Professional Education Programs

Whether you want to change careers, advance in your current career, keep current in a rapidly-changing profession, or improve the performance of your employees, we are here to help. We deliver high-quality, relevant, and accessible noncredit learning opportunities that help individuals, businesses, and communities grow and prosper. Take cutting edge courses designed by instructors who are experts in their fields. 

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is a noncredit learning-in-retirement program designed for adults 50 years of age and better. An affiliated program of UArizona, OLLI programs are volunteer driven and serve curious adult learners in Greater Tucson, Green Valley, and online. OLLI-UA offers classes and events year-round, with most classes (known as Study Groups) created and led by OLLI members as well as faculty and graduate students from the University. But, OLLI-UA isn’t just about learning. It is also a vibrant community that enriches and connects members through social events and volunteer and outreach opportunities. As its motto proclaims, “Curiosity Never Retires!”

Testing Office

The University of Arizona Testing Office offers professional proctoring services to the campus and community. Recognizing the effort required to sit for certification and placement exams, the Testing office strives to provide up-to-date testing services, exceptional resources, and a supportive environment where every exam feels like an opportunity. The Testing Office adheres to the National College Testing Association (NCTA) Professional Standards and Guidelines and all exams are administered under standardized conditions that are efficient, fair, and secure.

ODCE Functional Organization Chart

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