Personal Development and Enrichment Courses

Have you ever thought you might like to take an art course or try your hand at learning to make your own crafts to give as gifts or maybe just for personal enrichment? Or perhaps you're looking for a way to develop or expand your creative skills and move your career in a new direction. CT State offers a variety of courses to help you get started or take the next step. And you can learn from our master instructors, many of whom have won awards and exhibited around the region. Try your hand at painting, drawing, pottery, jewelry—even flower arranging!

Courses include:

• Introduction to Watercolor Painting I and II
• Foundations of Drawing
• Introduction to Acrylics
• Techniques of the American Impressionists
• Chinese Brush Painting
• Art appreciation courses with partnering museum field trips
• Introduction to Ceramics
• Flower Designing
• Create Silvery Jewelry with Precious Metal Clay (PMC)
• Jewelry Making for Beginners
• Interior Design Basics

Have you ever considered taking a course to learn how to balance your body, mind and spirit?

CT State offers a variety of courses to help you get started on a new path, or to deepen your understanding of the path you are already on. Learn yoga, Reiki, guided meditation, massage, QiGong, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), sound therapy, Alexander Technique, aromatherapy and more.

Our Body, Mind and Spirit courses teach tools and life skills you can practice for a lifetime.

Connecticut Basic Boating

This is the required course for obtaining the Connecticut Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO), which covers the operation of both boats and personal watercraft. The instruction also includes the newest requirement for towing skiers and tubes, and operating recreational vessels up to 65 feet in length, including jet skis. Students age 12 and up are welcome. The DEEP license fee is $50. The certificate is a one-time, lifetime certification.  Please note: Students must attend all sessions to qualify for the CPWO. Students should obtain a State Conservation ID number online before the start of class. This process is free and, if you have a hunting or fishing license, then you already have a number. The website for obtaining a number is www.ct.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales.

The culinary arts are all about preparing and serving good food. If you would like to learn how to create elegant meals for your family and friends – or simply dishes that please the palate and provide nutrition – CT State offers “bite-sized” courses. You can start slow with basic recipes and keep it “short and sweet,” or move on to preparing a full-course dinner with just the right wine. Learn how to make seasonal and celebratory meals, too. Ours is a fun, low-pressure, hands-on kitchen.

You do not need to be a culinary professional to learn more about this functional and enjoyable life skill. Most courses are conveniently scheduled as single-session courses on either a weekday evening or a Saturday. A materials fee, in addition to the course fee, accompanies most courses to cover the cost of food supplies (the instructor’s out-of-pocket expense). Students generally go home with leftovers and recipes.

Current popular courses include:

• Fresh Pasta Delicacies
• Artisan Italian Breads and Rolls
• Southern vs. Northern Italian Cuisine
• Japanese Cuisine
• Food and Culture of Morocco
• Spanish Tapas
• Chocolate Made with Love
• A variety of wine-tasting courses
• NEW ongoing courses focusing on ethnic and seasonal specialties

Are you interested in learning more about the many institutions and events that are at the roots of our diverse culture and history? Perhaps you’ve always wanted to know more about how the State of Connecticut’s criminal justice system functions, or the U.S. Supreme Court? Or the history of sports may score points with you.

CT State offers a constantly changing menu of culture and history courses that will appeal to students from the “Greatest Generation” of the Great Depression to GenX and Millennials.

Our Culture and History course offerings change with the times. Study the influences and eras that make America what it is.

Want to learn to dance for your upcoming wedding or other special occasion? Looking for a fun activity to do with a friend or spouse, or maybe for a way to meet new people? Learn traditional ballroom dancing — or take a class in Latin merengue, bachata and salsa dance, Argentine tango, or perhaps line dance or swing dance. You may even want to learn ballet!

CT State offers a variety of dance classes led by instructors with advanced training who have studied, taught and competed in dance exhibitions nationally. Dancing is a great way to exercise, meet new people, and even build confidence. Feel the beat!

Nn-credit dance course offerings vary and may include:

• Modern Dance
• Ballroom Dancing I and II
• Line Dance
• Swing Dance
• Latin Bachata and Salsa Dance
• Argentine Tango for Beginners

Have you ever considered taking an acting class or making your own movies?

Drama courses at CT State are for budding stars of stage and screen, as well as for personal enrichment. You can practice your stagecraft and get started on your film production and editing skills, or use classes to build self-confidence to help you succeed offstage as well.

We offer introductory courses taught by veterans of the theater and the film industry, professionals who know their craft. Courses include acting, moviemaking, editing, directing, screenplay and script writing, voiceovers, and much more.

CT State offers a wide variety of exercise and fitness non-credit courses such as Personal Trainer National Certification, Cardio Kick-Boxing Workout, Yoga, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, and Zumba®, plus new courses that are always being developed,  to help you get fit, stay fit and have some fun too! Classes are offered mornings, afternoons and evenings – both on- and off-campus – to suit your busy schedule.

Learn a new skill or practice one you already have. We offer classes for all ages and abilities, including seniors. Take a course that goes at your pace.

Do you have a green thumb? CT State can help you cultivate your interest in gardening, with basic courses to advanced topics. Learn organic lawn care, organic vegetable gardening, how to get the most out of container gardening (this class is perfect for people who have very small to no yard at all), and much more. You can also learn how to attract birds and butterflies.

If you are traveling, you will enjoy the trip more if you understand the language. Even if your trip is coming up soon, you can still get ready with a short course from CT State.

You can also increase your employability by learning a new language — or maybe just treat yourself to some personal enrichment!

We offer intro courses in:

• French
• German
• Polish
• Spanish
• Russian
• Italian
• Mandarin Chinese
• Lithuanian

CT State offers motorcycle riding courses of all levels.

Courses include:

• Basic Rider
• Returning Basic Rider
• Intermediate Rider
• Advanced Rider

Have you ever considered taking music lessons or perhaps writing and publishing your own songs?

CT State offers a variety of courses to help you learn to play the musical instrument you’ve always dreamed about. Learn piano or guitar. Learn to play drums, harmonica or saxophone. We also offer instruction in vocals, violin, viola and cello. The instruments and styles we offer continue to change, too!

Courses include:

• Beginning Guitar
• The Magic of Fingerstyle Guitar
• Beginning Piano
• Vocal Instruction
• Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Strings
• Saxophone Workshop and Ensemble
• Playing the Ukulele
• Harmonica for Beginners
• Songwriting
• Music appreciation of jazz and rock, including songs and lyrics analysis

Get the most out of your digital camera. Today’s digital photography changes quickly to help amateur photographers shoot better pictures than ever before. CT State offers photography courses to get started or keep your skills up-to-date.

Learn the basics of digital photography, more advanced shooting and editing techniques, and even how to take “the oddball portrait” and a “photo essay.” You can learn artistic and technical approaches that will make you a better photographer, whether you shoot pictures as a hobby or you have professional goals.

Have you ever considered trying your hand at writing or publishing as a step toward a career or maybe just for personal enrichment? Or do you enjoy reading great books and talking about them?

CT State offers a variety of courses in writing, publishing and literature to help you get started or to keep you practicing your craft. Our classes are taught by professional poetry, fiction and non-fiction writers and are designed to teach you to write better poetry or prose. You can study in a workshop environment, where peers as well as the instructor judge your work, or you can take classes designed to expose you to great writers, past and present, as a means to improving your own work.