General continuing education is similar to adult education , at least in being intended for adult learners, especially those beyond traditional undergraduate college or university age. However, it is not normally considered to include basic instruction such as literacy , English language skills, or programs such as vocational training or GED preparation. Instead, as the term suggests, it is assumed that the students already has an education and is simply continuing it.

Frequently, in the United States , continuing education involves enrollment in college/university credit-granting courses, often by students enrolled part-time, and often offered through a division or school of continuing education of a college/university known sometimes as the university extension or extension school. Also frequently in the US, it can mean enrollment in non-credit-granting courses, often taken for personal, non-vocational enrichment (although many non-credit courses can also have a vocational function). Also, in the US, many such non-credit courses are offered by community colleges .

Source by: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuing_education