CEU stands for Continuing Education Unit. A CEU is a unit of credit equal to ten hours of participation in an accredited program designed for professionals with certificates or licenses to practice various professions. Doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineers, CPAs and other such professionals are required to participate in continuing education programs for a certain number of hours every year in order to keep their certificates, or licenses to practice, current. The annual number of CEUs required varies by state and profession.
Who Establishes the Standards?:
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is the official U.S. representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Their job is to strengthen the U.S. marketplace by ensuring the health and safety of consumers and the protection of the environment. They do this by creating standards and guidelines for nearly every sector of business.
Clearly, this is a massive undertaking. Where does continuing education fit in? ANSI determines the necessary standards and then hands the administration of them to the IACET.
The IACET:
The International Association for Continuing Education & Training (IACET) is the caretaker of the CEU. It’s job is to communicate the standards and assist organizations in creating and administering the programs that provide professionals with continuing education opportunities. Education providers want to start here to ensure that their programs meet the proper criteria for becoming accredited.
The Unit of Measure:
According to the IACET:
One Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is defined as 10 contact hours (1 hour = 60 minutes) of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction. The primary purpose of the CEU is to provide a permanent record of the individuals who have completed one or more non-credit educational experiences.
CEUs approved by the IACET assures you that the program you chose complies with internationally recognized standards.
Who Can Award Official CEUs?:
Colleges, universities, or any association, company, or ogranization that is willing and able to meet the ANSI/IACET standards established for a particular industry may be accredited to award official CEUs. The Standards can be purchased at IACET.
Professional Requirements:
Certain professions require that practitioners earn a specific number of CEUs per year to ensure that they are up-to-date with current practices in their field. Proof of credits earned is necessary in order to renew a license to practice. The number of credits required varies by industry and state.
Continuing Education Opportunities:
Many professions organize national conferences to provide members with an opportunity to meet, network, and learn. Trade shows are a major part of these conferences, helping professionals to be aware of the many products and services that support their profession.
Many colleges and universities offer continuing education courses. Be sure to inquire about whether or not your local school is accredited to offer official CEUs.
Continuing education credits can also be earned online. Again, be careful. Make sure the organization providing the training is approved by the IACET before you invest any time or money.
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Questions or Comments?:
If you have questions or comments about this article, please visit the <a href="http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&webtag=ab-adulted">Continuing Education Forum</a> and post your item there.
