Central College Opens Online Courses to Community Members and Students

Community members in the Pella area and beyond now have a new way to pursue college coursework - Central College is expanding access to online courses for community members, alongside current, incoming and transfer students.

Whether a lifelong learner looking to explore a new subject, a local professional seeking to build skills or a student navigating a busy schedule, Central's online offerings are designed to meet people where they are. Non-degree community members may enroll as guest students, with completed courses noted as Central credit on an official transcript.

"We want to provide Central students with a strong support model for academic success and also serve our community well," says Leslie Keuning Duinink, dean of undergraduate education, senior registrar and a 1990 Central graduate.

For Central students, the courses offer meaningful flexibility - the chance to complete major requirements, regain academic standing or take classes that conflict with their schedules or aren't offered every semester. Courses approved for a student's major count directly toward graduation requirements, eliminating the need to transfer credits from another institution.

"We have students who want to study off-campus for a semester but encounter barriers when a required course is not offered," Duinink says. "This online option helps students stay on track for graduation while maintaining a full Central experience. Students may fall behind during a semester, and these courses offer additional flexibility to repeat a course, catch up or get ahead - keeping graduation within reach no matter what life brings."

Two summer sessions will be available in 2026, along with an intensive two-week session during winter break. As with standard registration, Central students should review course selections with their academic advisor before enrolling.

Central students may register through their registration portal. Community members and non-degree students may review criteria and register at departments.central.edu/registrar/registration/guest-student-registration/. Questions may be directed to Duinink at registrar@central.edu.