 |
The Continuing Education Unit
A Brief Explanation
of the CEU: the Nationally Recognized Unit for Recording Participation in
Non-Credit Educational Programs
|
WHAT IS THE CEU?
The Continuing Education Unit (CEU)
is a uniform unit of measurement to record participation in non-credit
academic, professional and vocational programs. It is based upon attendance at
short courses and other non-credit continuing educational programs sponsored by
organizations following the guidelines established by the International
Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) on the CEU.
It is intended to serve a variety of interests in non-credit continuing
education including both public and private organizations and is used without
regard to age, educational background, course subject matter, program format or
method of instruction.
The CEU serves a number of purposes:
-
a uniform unit of measure for continuing education and training
-
a nationally recognized unit of measure
-
a concept that can be used by different sponsors
-
a concept useful in a variety of learning formats
-
criteria by which the quality of learning activities are judged
-
a systematic means for program development and delivery criteria by which
educational sponsors are evaluated
-
a requirement for the documentation of learning experiences
An organization which follows the guidelines of the International Association
for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) may award CEU.
DEFINITIONS . . .
One Continuing Education Unit is defined as: 10 contact hours of
participation, in an organized continuing education experience, under
responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and under qualified instruction.
For organizations to award CEU, they must follow the criteria and guidelines
developed by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training
(IACET). A copy of these guidelines may be purchased from the International
Association for Continuing Education and Training, 1620 I Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
THE CEU IS NOT . . .
to be used or awarded for any program or course carrying any
academic credit at any level.
-
The CEU is not to be awarded for activities such as attendance at orientation,
internal organization, on-the-job methods, employee procedures or rights and
other such company-specific programs regardless of their educational merit.
-
Meetings dealing with policy making, committee activity, delegate assemblies,
conferences, professional societies or other such activities do not qualify for
the CEU.
-
Programs in which mass media (radio, TV) are used as the instructional method
do not qualify for the CEU unless they are an integral part of a program that
otherwise qualifies.
-
On-the-job training, apprenticeships, work experience, individual scholarship
or self-directed study do not qualify unless they are part of an otherwise
qualified program.
-
Non-educational activities connected with professional societies or
associations which may be used to qualify for group membership or certification
do not warrant CEU assignment.
CRITERIA FOR ASSIGNING CEU
The International Association for Continuing Education and
Training (IACET) has provided the following administrative and program criteria
as a minimum to meet the essential requirements for awarding CEU.
Administrative Criteria for Program Sponsors
Organization -- The sponsoring organization must have an identifiable
educational arm with professional staff to administer and coordinate an
organized schedule of continuing educational programs.
Responsibility and Control -- The sponsoring organization must maintain
administrative control to ensure that the educational objectives are met.
Facilities -- The sponsoring organization must provide or arrange for
appropriate education facilities and a library or reference materials
sufficient for the specified educational activity.
Records -- A permanent record of each individual's participation (based
on time attendance) must be maintained and be made available to the individual
on request.
Criteria for Each New Program or Course
Definition -- Each program or course must meet the definitions described
in IACET's Criteria and Guidelines.
Planning -- The programs or courses must be planned in response to the
educational needs of a specific group. Inputs must be available from the target
group as well as from experts in the field.
Purpose -- A clear statement of the program or course purpose and goals
must be prepared before initiating the program.
Instruction -- Qualified instructors must be used for all aspects of the
courses or programs.
Performance -- Specific performance requirements for awarding CEU must
be established prior to the start of the course.
Registration -- Sufficient detail must be kept to certify that
individuals have participated in substantially all of the course for which the
CEU are being awarded and that there is adequate information for a permanent
record.
Evaluation -- Procedures should be implemented during the planning
stages which can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. The IACET indicates that group indices usually suffice, but that provisions for
individual evaluations should be made wherever appropriate.
Records -- Within the program there must be a system for verification of
satisfactory completion of courses for programs attended by individuals and for
the transmittal of such data to the office maintaining permanent records.
How CFPA Assigns CEU
NUMBER OF CEU ASSIGNED
Most of the short courses and workshops given by CfPA are assigned
CEU in accordance with guidelines of the International Association for
Continuing Education and Training (IACET). Since most courses run six hours per
day, typical assignments are: two-day courses, 1.2 units; three-day courses,
1.8 units; four-day courses, 2.4 units; and five-day courses, 3.0 units. The
number of CEU are registered on the Certificate of Completion presented to each
person who fully completes a course.
RECORDS
CfPA maintains a computerized list of past participants by name, and
a list of all attendees at courses so that anyone who has completed a course
can have a Transcript (including the course title, date, instructor's name and
title, location and number of CEU assigned) on request. Such requests must be
in writing and replies will be sent to individuals or their sponsoring
organization.