You might take a credit course if you plan to eventually (at 51勛圖厙 or another institution) earn a credit certificate or degree. The number of credits a course is worth is based on the time you're expected to be in class. You earn credit by attending and successfully completing a course. Credits add up and can be applied toward a degree.
You might take a noncredit course, sometimes called continuing education, to gain job skills or just for fun. Noncredit courses cannot be used toward a credit degree, but (and here is where it seems muddy) many noncredit job training and skill building courses award continuing education units, industry certifications or continuing education certificates.
It might help to browse our offerings. We divided them into three categories: Credit Degrees and Certificates, Noncredit Job Training and Professional Development, and Noncredit Personal Enrichment. Seeing which programs fall into which categories might help clarify the differences. Each area of study page has a contact listed. If you still have questions, there is always someone willing to help.