Georgia Southern University has virtual-reality students.

Without setting foot on the Statesboro campus, people of all ages and interests can take non-credit classes for professional development or personal enrichment through the University’s Continuing Education Center.

The variety of Education-to-Go classes is staggering with around 300 online topics available. A nurse who wants to specialize in elder care can choose the “Certificate in Gerontology” course, a teacher may be interested in “Solving Classroom Discipline Problems,” and a fledgling author can select from among classes on poetry, mystery writing and getting published.

The most popular courses focus on creating Web pages, learning computer programming, speed Spanish, basic accounting, grant writing and fiction writing.

“Because there is no physical classroom, courses are never canceled due to low enrollment,” said Judy Hendrix, the program specialist in charge of the Education-to-Go courses.

All participants must have Internet access, a Web browser (Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator) and an email address. Participants can log on to study or complete assignments at any time of the day or night.

A new section of each course begins on the second or third Wednesday of each month. During the next three months, courses will start on Oct. 17, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12.

Each course runs for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. Students must complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.

The fee for each course varies. For a complete listing of classes and registration information, visit http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/conted and click on the online instruction center. For more information, call (912) 681-5993.