CEU Frequently Asked Questions

Continuing education is structured educational or training experiences for personal or professional development. Participants are assumed to have previously attained a basic level of education, training, or experience.

The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized method of quantifying the time spent in a classroom for noncredit learning. Ten hours of instruction equal one CEU.

ASU Online and Extended Campus adheres to the standards set by the International Association for Continuing Education & Training (IACET), as do most associations and universities. Those standards state 10 hours of instruction equal 1 CEU. One-tenth (0.1) of a CEU is awarded for each clock hour (50-60 minutes) of instruction. Instructional hours do not include time involved in coffee breaks, meals, social activities or business and committee meetings unless approved as instructional and noted at the time of processing the request.

The primary purpose of CEUs is to provide a permanent record of the educational accomplishments of an individual who has completed significant noncredit educational and career enhancement experiences and classes.

Any organization that offers educational programs can potentially offer CEUs. Whether to do so is entirely up to the program coordinator or course facilitator, but does require approval from ASU Online and Extended Campus, through a formal approval process.

CEUs should only be awarded to individuals taking part in group training, and only when those programs are rigorous enough and long enough to be a significant educational experience and for which a permanent record will be meaningful. Individual or self-directed study that is not planned, directed, and supervised by an instructor or sponsor does not meet criteria established by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training.

The institution or organization presenting an educational program and awarding CEUs also is responsible for maintaining a record of the CEUs awarded. ASU Online and Extended Campus maintain CEU records for seven years.

Since by definition the CEU relates only to noncredit continuing education, it is not appropriate to consider CEUs in connection with academic credit.

Request forms will be made available to participants at the time of registration.

A $15 fee for CEUs, per participant, is required at the end of the program. Checks made payable to ASU and sent to ASU Online and Extended Campus by the participant will generate the awarded CEU certificate.

There are two payment methods for CEUs:

• Participant pays $15 by check payable to Arizona State University.
• Program pays the CEU fee for the student.

As a continuing education unit (CEU) provider, ASU Online and Extended Campus maintains a record of approved programs for seven years. Records include the participant’s name, type of event, date of event, and the number of CEU credits earned. Copies of these records may be requested by calling (480) 884-1525 or e-mailing CEU@asu.edu.

The typical guidelines define a qualified course as one with clear purpose and objective and that will "maintain, improve, or expand the skills and knowledge of the participant.” ASU Online and Extended Campus strive to ensure quality and integrity in our continuing education and training programs.

Those who recognize CEUs:

• civic, service and community organizations
• existing and aspiring professions
• disciplines within a given profession
• technical societies and associations
• employers, through their personnel and recruitment activities

The program coordinator or course facilitator may receive permission to offer CEUs when the event meets specific criteria that ensures quality and integrity. After submitting a CEU Program Information form to begin the approval process, they will receive complete instructions on how to provide participants with CEUs. ASU Online and Extended Campus will record participants’ attendance, maintain records of CEUs, and provide participants with a CEU Certificate of Completion reflecting the number of CEUs awarded.

If you have questions about CEUs or the process of applying for CEUs, e-mail CEU@asu.edu or call (480) 884-1525 .