The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized measure of participation in an approved non-credit continuing education program. It is used to document learning that differs from the traditional academic learning experience and has become vital as a means of determining the value of a continuing education learning experience.
One Continuing Education Unit (1.0) is defined as ten (10) contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.
CEU Credit Eligibilities
Courses Available for CEU Credit
All non-credit courses and programs submitted for Continuing Education Unit approval must meet the following criteria:
- be held in an organized and structured setting
- be planned to fulfill a specific educational need
- have a clear purpose and objective
- have qualified instructional personnel directly involved in conducting the course or educational activity
- have specific performance requirements for the awarding of CEU’s to participants prior to the offering of the course or educational activity
- have a participant evaluation process
Programs Eligible for CEU Credit
- Seminars, workshops, short courses, certificate programs, and educational trainings with a scheduled meeting time
- Activities that use methods of instruction such as: supervised online independent study, directed reading, or project-based assignments
- License renewal programs and paraprofessional training programs
Programs Ineligible for CEU Credit
- Committee meetings or other business meeting type activities
- Entertainment or recreational/athletic activities
- Cultural performances and social events
- Work experience, on-the-job training or apprenticeships
If your program abides by the above guidelines, please see below for information on how to go about applying for CEUs for your training.
Steps to take before the training...
All CEU approval requests must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the initial offering date of the program. This requirement can only be waived upon request if there are extenuating circumstances. All of the following must be submitted in order for a program to be approved:
- a completed CEU Approval Form
- a program timed agenda/schedule
- all instructor/speaker vitas or resumes
- any other pertinent program materials (program brochure, flyer, or website address)
Things to Remember:
- We cannot approve a program that is less than five (5) contact hours.
- All course approvals are good for only the approved dates. If you plan on having the same program on multiple days throughout the school year, please make note of all dates.
- Completed CEU approval request forms will be reviewed for approval within three business days.
Click the following link to be directed to the CEU Approval Form:
https://www.deltastate.edu/education-and-human-sciences/delta-area-association-improvement-schools/ceu-approval-form/
Steps to take during/after the training...
The following items need to be completed during the program and sent to us in order for participants to receive CEU credit:
- a copy of the participant sign-in form
- a copy of all program evaluations forms
- all completed CEU Participant Application Information forms from each participant who wishes to receive CEU credit along with payment (CEUs will not be awarded until payment is received)
In order to have CEU credits awarded in a timely manner, the above should be submitted within two weeks of program completion.
Other Important Questions/Answers…
I have a year-long program that I want my participants to earn CEU credit for. How does that work?
Effective July 1, 2016
Events that are year-long (e.g. school professional development, special events, etc.) for which districts are wanting to provide CEU credit, the district must submit their credit packets per semester, versus per year.
For example, if your PLC group meets every month for a few hours, and you want those group members to receive CEU credit, you will have to submit those sign-in sheets, CEU applications, and evaluation forms at the end of December for August – December meetings and then again at the end of June for January – June meetings. For these kinds of year-long sessions, said CEU credit will be issued per semester (December and June).
The only exception to the above policy is any session dealing with LETRS Phase III.
For districts that participate in professional development throughout the year by having teachers attend several different professional development sessions, teachers will need to do the following:
If a session meets the minimum five contact hour eligibility and the teacher wants one certificate showing the total number of CEUs awarded for all sessions attended under one session title (e.g. SY16/17 Fall Professional Development), the teacher must pay the CEU fee ($15) for the certificate. However, if the teacher wants a certificate for each session attended, the teacher must pay the CEU fee ($15) per certificated session.
How long do I, or my participants, have to apply for CEUs after a workshop?
For organizational reasons, we prefer to only take applications right after the session; however, we allow a maximum of six (6) months to apply for the CEUs, SEMIs, and OSLs from the last day of the session or from the participant’s Certificate of Completion date.
When will my participants get their CEUs?
After a workshop/conference has ended, the partners will send completed participant forms to DAAIS for processing. Upon receipt of the participant forms, CEU Certificates will be processed and mailed within 7-10 business days.
I received my CEU certificate, but have now misplaced it. How do I go about getting another one?
If you originally received a CEU from the Delta Area Association for Improvement of Schools and have misplaced it, you can request another by completing the form at the following website: https://www.deltastate.edu/education-and-human-sciences/delta-area-association-improvement-schools/replacement-ceu-certificate-request-form/
I have applied and paid for my CEU certificates, but I never received it. What are my options?
Effective July 1, 2017
Each participant is responsible for contacting us if they have not received their CEU certificate within ten (10) days after attending their professional development. If it’s been more than six months since we’ve mailed your certificate, the participant will be required to purchase a replacement certificate at https://www.deltastate.edu/education-and-human-sciences/delta-area-association-improvement-schools/replacement-ceu-certificate-request-form/.
* For professional development completed within districts, the time period will be longer since we will have to receive that information from the district before anything can be processed.
