Northwestern State University will offer a roster of engaging non-credit courses during September. Registration is open to the public for the courses offered through NSU's Office of Electronic and Continuing Education.
Water aerobics will be held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10-11 a.m. in Nesom Natatorium. This workout consists of simple low impact exercises executed in the water. The program is designed to promote and maintain cardio respiratory fitness, strengthen muscles, and improve flexibility. This program is especially recommended for arthritic and/or pregnant women. The fee is $95. Denise Poleman is the instructor.
Scrapbooking Your Memories will begin with an introductory meeting from 5-6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7 in which a supply list will be provided. Classes will be from 5-8 p.m. on Thursdays, Sept. 9-30 in Room 132-B of Dodd Hall. Attend this workshop to learn how to take those photos and turn them into beautiful arts of work. You will learn basic techniques and have the opportunity to use the Cricut - a cutting system that allows you to enhance your pages. The fee is $59 with participants purchasing their own supplies. Terrie McCallister is the instructor.
Smart Shopping: More Than Just Cutting Coupons will be held from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11 in Room 132-B of Dodd Hall. With basic knowledge, a pair of scissors and sales ads, a smart shopper is prepared to spend less. This class will cover the rules for using coupons, how to use coupons to their full potential, store coupon policies, utilizing store reward programs, stockpiling, using the internet to help plan shopping trips, and deals around town. The fee is $60. Lori Luneau will be in the instructor.
An ACT Prep course will prepare students for all sections of the ACT exam, including English, math, reading, science reasoning, and writing. The course will use retired exams to give students valid pre- and post-test scores. This data will also be used to make sure that areas of need are addressed. Students will review the necessary content and examine test taking strategies, maximizing their score improvements. The course materials include additional exercises for further review.
A Pre-Test will take place Saturday, Sept. 11 beginning at 9 a.m. with classroom workshops following on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 25-Oct. 16. Lunch will be on your own for one hour each day. Registration for this course does not include registration for the exam. Participants can register for the ACT Exam online at ACT.org or call ACT at 1-800-525-6926. The fee for the course is $189 and includes materials. Instruction will be in Russell Hall, Room 213.
Basic Floral Design I will teach basic floral design including how to make a bow, various wiring techniques for flowers, how to design a centerpiece, and much more. This class is for beginning floral designers as well as individuals with a love for flowers who would like to know how to arrange them. Whether you would like to enter the floral industry as a designer assistant, or just want to arrange flowers at home, this class will teach you the basics you need to know.
Classes will be from 1-4 p.m. Saturdays Sept. 11-25 at The Master's Bouquet, 108 South Dr., Natchitoches. The fee is $200 tuition plus $100 supply fee. Instructor is Dawn Martin, Louisiana State Licensed Florist and member of SAF and LSFA.
Beginning Guitar will focus on humming and strumming familiar tunes; music appreciation and enjoyment. Participants will learn basic major and minor chords. Weekly practice sessions will include familiar songs. Participants will compile a collection of at least 25 familiar songs they will learn to play in eight easy lessons. Home practice will be required in order to achieve successful results. Students should be at least 11 years old. Self-motivation to practice and learn is a must. Singing is encouraged, but not required.
Beginning Guitar will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 14-Nov. 2 at the NSU Middle Lab School. The fee is $59 plus $10 for materials paid to instructor Philip McClung the first night of class.
Intermediate Guitar is for students who wish to continue to use chords learned at the beginner level. Participants will add major 7ths, flats, sharps, and other specialized chords to the mix. Focus will then shift to styles of playing, experimentation with rhythm patterns, basic finger picking, transposing keys, and solo and ensemble performance of familiar songs. Singing is encouraged, but not required. Emphasis will be on traditional rock and blues playing techniques. Intermediate students will also practice tuning their own instruments using digital tuners, piano, pitch pipes, tuning software, and free-tuning by ear. As a prerequisite for intermediate class, students should be able to successfully demonstrate the major, minor, and 7th chords learned in the beginner class, or possess equivalent skills and knowledge to enroll in the intermediate class.
Classes will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 14-Nov. 2 at the NSU Middle Lab School. The fee is $59 plus $10 materials fee paid directly to instructor Philip McClung the first night of class.
A Louisiana Retail Florist Exam Prep course will include 87 hours of study in two weeks. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry requires the licensing of retail florists. In order to obtain a Louisiana Retail Florist License one must first pass the written Louisiana Retail Floral Exam. This 87-hour course is not only designed to review the textbook and study material included in the written exam, but also offers design instruction to aid the individual in their preparation of becoming a professional retail florist.
The 87 hours will serve to acquaint students with the instructor and other students and to review the latest textbook and study material recommended by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry for the Louisiana Retail Florist Exam. Reading material and individual textbooks will be provided to every student enrolled in this course.
During 60 hours of worktable study, students will be provided with hands on training in a reputable flower shop under the instruction and supervision of Dawn Martin, a Louisiana Licensed Florist who has over 20 years experience as a retail florist, shop owner, manager, designer and instructor in the retail floral industry. Students will be trained in the art of floral design as well as the latest techniques in the processing and care of fresh cut flowers and other knowledge necessary to help them prepare for the Louisiana State Retail Florist Exam and their career as a professional florist. Although all requirements for the Louisiana State Retail Florist Exam will be taught to every student enrolled, it is the student's responsibility to prepare for and pass the exam.
Classroom work will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Saturdays, Sept. 18 and Sept. 25. Worktable training will be from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 200-Friday, Oct. 1. The fee is $1,638, which includes textbook and materials, plus $889 materials fee paid directly to the instructor prior to start of class. Classroom instruction will be in Room 132-B, Dodd Hall. Worktable instruction will be at The Master's Bouquet, 108 South Drive, Natchitoches.
A Distance Learning Notary Exam Prep course will be offered in cooperation with Louisiana State University-Shreveport. Participants will be given a specific review of the subjects tested on the Notary Exam using the 2010 Edition of "Louisiana Civil Code (LCC)." This book will be needed for the open-book portion of the Notary Exam. It is available at Campus Corner on University Parkway for approximately $171 plus tax. The Notary Public Official Study Guide is available through the Secretary of State's Office, which is the publisher of the book. Please visit http://www.sos.louisiana.gov <http://www.sos.louisiana.gov> to place your order. Participants should order the book before the class begins and bring it to the first class.
Classes will be held every Saturday from 1-5 p.m. Sept. 18-Nov. 13 in Room 122 or Russell Hall. The fee is $289, not including the textbook. Robin Jones is the instructor.
Photographing Friends and Family will help participants improve their photography abilities when taking pictures of friends and family. Subjects covered will include: background, posing, facial expressions, use of available light, best use of flash, shooting inside, shooting outside, getting good photos in low light conditions, creating special effects for family portraits, taking photos of kids, and best use of local yards for photos. This is a hands-on class. Bring your camera and lots of smiles. Classes will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays Sept. 28, Oct. 26 and Nov. 16 in Room 132-B of Russell Hall. Gale Trussell is the instructor.
For more information or to register for a class, call (800) 376-2422 or (318) 357-6355.
