The Texas Southern University Weekend College and Division of Continuing Education was re-designated the College of Continuing Education by the Board of Regents June 3, 1994; this alteration marks one of the most significant changes in the unit since it was created in 1973 as the Weekend College.

In 1973, the Texas Legislature recognized Texas Southern University as a "special purpose institution of urban programming." Considering the history of Texas Southern University and the former Weekend College, the challenge for the College of Continuing Education is to continue the legacy of responding pro-actively to challenges from the state, city, and the University community.

The role of the College of Continuing Education is to provide programs and services that affirm the University's mission. Operationally, the College of Continuing Education is Texas Southern University's administrative unit for delivering non-credit courses. More specifically, this non-academic unit is designed to meet identifiable community needs in lifelong learning and professional development by providing educational opportunities for all citizens. The College also provides its constituency with access to quality non-credit programs in urban areas and around the state of Texas.