Archives and Special Collections
92 Snell Library
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Boston, MA 02115
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Archives and Special Collections Finding Aids

Printable Finding Aid. Back to Browsing Version.

Collection Overview
Title: Center for Continuing Education records
Dates:1961-1996
Location:29/3
Call Number:A40
Volume:4.0 cubic ft.
Scope and Content Abstract:The records of Northeastern University's Center for Continuing Education (CCE) document certain courses, seminars, and events sponsored by the CCE. The bulk of the collection consists of brochures describing courses and correspondence documenting the daily operations of the CCE. Records also include notes, outlines, programs, proceedings, proposals, departmental newsletters, and reports.
Historical Abstract:Northeastern University's (NU) Center for Continuing Education (CCE) offered a variety of credit and non-credit evening classes for students and professionals. The Office of Adult and Continuing Education (OACE) opened in 1960 under the direction of Dr. Albert E. Everett. OACE was comprised of four departments: Bureau of Business and Industrial Training, Special Programs in Cooperation with Civic Groups, Special Programs in Cooperation with Professional and Trade Groups, and State-of-the-Art Engineering (beginning in 1963). In 1963, OACE was renamed CCE. Its responsibilities were limited to offering non-credit courses to meet the needs of a largely professional student body. The breadth and diversity of course offerings in the 1960s and early 1970s testify to the CCE's flexibility. In addition to offering practical business, engineering, and health science courses, CCE offered courses of special interest to women and minorities. In 1973, CCE was incorporated into NU's University College but became independent again in 1986. In 1986, CCE's programs were reclassified into eight categories: State-of-the-Art Engineering, Building Technology, Business, Emergency Medical Training, Graphic Arts, Health Management, Nursing, Paralegal Studies, and Test Preparation. In 1995, the CCE was again incorporated into University College.
Arrangement:Arranged alphabetically.
Subjects and Contributors:
  • Campbell, Malcolm.
  • Everett, Albert Ellsworth.
  • Katz, Israel, 1917-.
  • MacKey, Alan.
  • Robbins, John H.
  • Williams, Raymond.

  • Northeastern University (Boston, Mass.). Center for Continuing Education.
  • Northeastern University (Boston, Mass.). Office of Adult and Continuing Education.
  • Northeastern University (Boston, Mass.). Division of Continuing Education.

  • Continuing education--Massachusetts--Boston.
  • Occupational training--Massachusetts--Boston.
  • Vocational Education--Massachusetts--Boston.
Restrictions:Records are closed for 25 years from the date of their creation, unless researchers have written permission from the creating office.
Processor:Finding aid prepared by Amy Bosworth, March 2000

Scope and Content Note

The collection partially documents academic courses and seminars offered by the OACE/CCE and departmentally sponsored events. The bulk of the collection consists of brochures offering course information and correspondence documenting the daily operations of the CCE.  Notes, outlines, programs, and proceedings offer more detailed information about some courses, while proposals by staff members document prospective additions to the curriculum.  Reports generated by non-Northeastern sources present an outsider's view of the program, while presentation materials represent how the CCE wished to be viewed.  The collection also contains some departmental newsletters.

Please note that the collection does not contain program brochures for 1981.

Historical Note

Northeastern University's (NU) Center for Continuing Education (CCE) offered a variety of credit and non-credit evening classes for students and professionals.  The Office of Adult and Continuing Education (OACE) opened in 1960 under the direction of Dr. Albert E. Everett and offered non-credit evening courses for local professionals.  Its goal was to teach new and useful skills to individuals in the workforce or those about to enter it.  The non-credit courses set the OACE apart from NU's other evening programs, although it was also charged with promoting all evening courses at Northeastern (credit and non-credit) and supervising all evening programs for non-faculty staff members.  The OACE was comprised of four departments: Bureau of Business and Industrial Training, Special Programs in Cooperation with Civic Groups, Special Programs in Cooperation with Professional and Trade Groups, and State-of-the-Art Engineering (beginning in 1963).  These divisions evolved over time as the business world and the needs of the students changed.

Within its first year the OACE began branching out and campuses in Weston and Burlington were acquired in 1961 and 1964. In 1961 the University also opened Henderson House, located in Weston, Massachusetts, where OACE seminars and workshops were held.  Courses were also taught at high schools throughout eastern Massachusetts, and OACE educators conducted tailor-made seminars at corporate locations upon request.

In 1963, the OACE was renamed the CCE. Its responsibilities were limited to offering non-credit courses to meet the needs of a largely professional student body, and University College took over all promotional and supervisory functions.  The breadth and diversity of course offerings in the 1960s and early 1970s testify to the CCE's flexibility. The CCE began offering courses geared toward women, minorities, and young people, in addition to offering practical business courses. By 1964, the Bureau of Business and Industrial Training was conducting 70 programs within 27 different companies to upgrade the skills of their personnel. In addition to focusing on specific corporations, the CCE developed advanced curricula for specific types of businesses. In 1967 Project Gap was initiated to provide recent graduates with the practical skills needs for employment. In response to the needs of the Boston-area community, professional associations, and local businesses, the CCE developed a number special seminars and programs, such as the Small Business Institute, the Labor Relations Forum, Federal and State Tax forums, CPA review programs, Nursing Home Administration programs, the X-Ray Technology program, the Electron Microscopy program, the Chefs Institute, the Urban Transportation Management Institute, the Medical Laboratory Assistants program, the Dental Assistants program, training programs for Volunteer Service Coordinators, and numerous seminars addressing minorities in businesses and problems in the urban environment.

Although registration in the CCE's programs never significantly declined, by 1973 it was losing money, so the CCE was incorporated into University College.  This merger allowed the CCE to add more teaching locations, expand some existing programs, and increase advertising.

In 1986, CCE became a separate unit again from University College. Led by Ray Williams, CCE focused on noncredit programs for professional development, which allowed the University College to focus on for-credit courses and certificate programs. CCE's programs were reclassified into the following categories: State-of-the-Art Engineering, Building Technology, Business, Emergency Medical Training, Graphic Arts, Health Management, Nursing, Paralegal Studies, and Test Preparation. CCE also developed a relationship with Network Northeastern, which broadcasted live courses directly to companies in the Boston area. In this period, the CCE was alternatively called the Division of Continuing Education.

As part of President Curry's "smaller but better" strategy, in 1995 the CCE was again brought under the University College, creating a single adult education unit. As a result, some CCE programs were eliminated.
Bibliography

Feldscher, Karen. Northeastern University, The Curry Years: Smaller but Better, 1989-1996. Boston: Northeastern University, 2000.

Frederick, Antoinette. Northeastern University: An Emerging Giant, 1959-1975. Boston: Northeastern University, 1982.

Frederick, Antoinette. Northeastern University, Coming of Age: The Ryder Years, 1975-1989. Boston: Northeastern University, 1995.
Return to Top
BoxTitleDate
1-2Correspondence (45 folders)1963-1993
Events
2Eighth Annual Tax Forum1961
2Faculty and Industry Awards Dinner1993
2Graduation Programs1967-1978
2Henderson House Dedication1962
2Reception and Dinner in Honor of Dr. Albert E. Everett1967
2Special Recognition Ceremonies1964
2Spring Reception1987
2Suburban Series1967
2Testimonial Dinner for Retiring Personnel1968
Grants
2Proposaln.d.
2Upward Bound Application1970
2Media Placements (3 folders)1991-1994
Newsletters
2"Division of Continuing Education"1992-1994
2"Family Business Quarterly"1991-1992
2Newspaper Articles (2 folders)n.d., 1964-1984
2Notes for Staff Meeting1970
Program
2Administrative Informationn.d., 1970-1972
2-3Brochures (17 folders)n.d., 1961-1996
3Course Codes1965
3Course Lists1965
3Course Notes (4 folders)n.d., 1967-1981
4National Council1968-1971
4Presentation Materials1988-1992
4Project GAP (2 folders)n.d., 1966-1968
4Seminar and Workshop Programs (3 folders)1968-1975
4Urban Transportation Management Institute1969
4Workshop Proceedings (5 folders)1963, 1968-1974
Proposals
4Academic Programs (2 folders)n.d., 1968-1973
4Fellowshipsn.d.
4Financial Planning Projects1971
4Internships1969
4National Aeronautics and Space Administration1969
4National Science Foundationn.d., 1968-1973
4Research1975
Reports
4"A Guide to Educational Programs in Non-collegiate Organizations1974
4Academic Programs (4 folders)n.d., 1965-1977
4"Analysis of Organization and Training Needs Public Works Department" (3 folders)1964
4Staff Writingsn.d.
4Studies: Shipbuilding and Fishing Industries