Emory University's Center for Lifelong Learning, the college's first satellite location, has debuted to positive reviews in Alpharetta.

The center opened last month off Windward Parkway, where the University of Phoenix previously operated.

Elizabeth Rupp, a spokeswoman for the center, said a paralegal certificate program is under way. Other offerings, including foreign language and business development courses, as well as a financial planning certificate program, are planned.

The program, one exit south of Forsyth County on Ga. 400, has been welcomed by its local collegiate counterparts, including Lanier Technical College and North Georgia College & State University's MBA program in Cumming.

"There's such a great need in the north Fulton and south Forsyth area, that I would not see any overlap or competition, or anything like that," said Michael Moye, president of Lanier Tech.

"It actually will help the community out. We're very much in favor of something that would help out the Forsyth community."

In addition to lifelong learning, the Evening at Emory program will offer preparation courses for the GMAT, LSAT, MCAT and GRE exams.  

Kate Maine, spokeswoman for NGCSU, said there is a big demand for career development in the local economic market, particularly "business professionals want to enhance their career skills."

"As large as Forsyth County is, and growing as fast as the community is, I think there's room for both," she said.

Genise Tworek, director of work force development for Forsyth County Schools, said a third secondary education facility gives local high school graduates more options.

"Whether they get credit or not, if they can put on their resume, or say in a job interview, this is additional training beyond high school or beyond a technical college, or even a four-year college, then it's a win-win situation," she said.

Peggy Crowe, who manages the Evening at Emory program, said the "commute from Alpharetta to our location here on Emory's main campus was a huge factor" in selecting the north Fulton space.

"We had been looking at opening a satellite location for a while," she said. "The demographics fit up there and the fact that we could provide our students with something right there in their own back yard."

Rupp said Emory is focusing on a handful of programs. Based on how the first round goes, it will look at adding other coursework available on its main Atlanta campus.

The Alpharetta campus doesn't have computer classrooms, though Rupp said that is a priority for the coming year.