What Changed? | Registration | On-site Learning | Online Learning | Certificate Programs | Other What Changed? How is the OPCE different from Professional Development Solutions? How is the OPCE different from Professional Development Solutions? We have found that we can make a greater impact by allocating more resources toward equipping federal organizations and business enterprises to invest in their workforce. While we will continue to offer public courses to individuals seeking career advancement, our primary focus is on organizations and their leaders. Developing partnerships with organizations ultimately benefits individual learners in a more impactful way. This strategic approach not only shows employees that they are valued but also fosters a positive company culture, leading to increased employee retention and satisfaction. Noncredit Registration How soon should I register for a course? How soon should I register for a course? We suggest registering at least one to two weeks prior to the course start date. Registration for all courses is open until the day the course begins, but some courses fill weeks in advance. If a course is full, you can request to be placed on a waitlist in case there are any cancellations. Please visit Ways to Register for further information on course registration. What does the registration fee include? What does the registration fee include? The registration fee includes all books, manuals, course materials, lab fees, and parking permits. Some software may be required to already be loaded onto computers (Microsoft Suite for Excel, DOORS, etc). Only the Interior Design program and Private Pilot Ground School require separate book/supply purchases. Certification exam fees are not included unless an exam voucher option is selected where available. Will I be required to pay for all courses included in a Certificate Program at the time of initial registration? Will I be required to pay for all courses included in a Certificate Program at the time of initial registration? No. Payment or P.O. number will be required at the time of registration in each individual course. Registration in all courses at the start of a particular Certificate Program is not necessary. What options are available for payment? What options are available for payment? Payment is due at the time of registration for each course. You may pay by check, credit card, or by company purchase order. Generally, financial aid is not applicable to noncredit courses. Please note that UAH employees should either pay with their personal credit card or with a transfer authorization form. They may not use their P-Card to make purchase. What is the refund policy? What is the refund policy? Individual programs, courses, or sections may have specific policy statements displayed along with other registration information. See Refund, Withdrawal, and Transfer Policy for general information. On-Site Learning Will I be required to share a computer with other students in the computer lab for a computer technology course? Will I be required to share a computer with other students in the computer lab for a computer technology course? No. All computer technology courses are conducted in our modern, hands-on, one-to-one computer labs, which allow each student to have his/her own assigned computer. Our one computer for one student labs facilitates an optimum learning environment where students are able to complete hands-on workshop projects and applications. Online Learning Are your online courses self-paced or scheduled with set dates? Are your online courses self-paced or scheduled with set dates? We offer both types of instruction opportunities. Course section details indicate the instructional format. Our Live Virtual format offers scheduled times with set dates and may coincide with simultaneous on-campus instruction. PLEASE NOTE: Many classroom courses can also be arranged for virtual attendance with sufficient notice. Please call 256.824.4430. Our On-Demand format is self-paced and allows you to register for a course at ANY time. Participants have one month (two months for IT courses and courses over 30 hours) to complete the course. Simply view the course presentation and complete quizzes/assignments to earn your certificate. What courses are available through Online Learning? What courses are available through Online Learning? We offer a wide variety of short courses and certificate programs online. Click to view Online On-Demand courses and Live Virtual courses Certificate Programs What is a Certificate Program? What is a Certificate Program? A certificate program is a sequence of courses, which provide concentrated study in a specific professional field, allowing you to increase your skills and expertise. After successful completion of all courses in a program or series you will receive an overall program/series certificate. How do I receive an overall certificate? How do I receive an overall certificate? To receive your overall certificate, complete the program requirements then submit a certificate completion form. May I take only one course in a Certificate Program? May I take only one course in a Certificate Program? Yes, courses may be taken on an individual basis. Some courses do have prerequisites; please refer to the specific course description. How will completing a Certificate Program help my career? How will completing a Certificate Program help my career? A certificate documents a specific course of study and emphasizes your commitment to professional improvement. Updating job skills, increasing professional expertise, and/or gaining knowledge of new technologies can be of great benefit to anyone seeking a promotion, considering a career change, or simply wanting to improve job performance. As a participant in a Certificate Program, you will also have the opportunity to network with others in your career field. Do I have to take Certificate Program courses in a specific sequence? Do I have to take Certificate Program courses in a specific sequence? Some Certificate Programs are made up of courses that should be taken in a specific order, with subsequent courses building on the information learned in earlier courses. However, some Certificate Programs do not require courses to be taken in a specific sequence. Please refer to a particular program description and its course listing. How long does it take to complete a Certificate Program? How long does it take to complete a Certificate Program? The courses required for completion of a program vary with each program. Please refer to individual Certificate Program descriptions for complete details. If I can't take a course during a Certificate Program offering, will I be able to take it when the Program is offered again? If I can't take a course during a Certificate Program offering, will I be able to take it when the Program is offered again? Yes. Many courses are offered several times each year. If time or job constraints do not allow you to complete all the courses in a Certificate Program, you may sign up for any missed courses the next time the courses are offered. However, it is advisable to call our office to determine when a specific program might be offered again to determine future availability of a course. Other What type of credit will I earn? What type of credit will I earn? UAH Office of Professional and Continuing Education (OPCE) courses meet the requirements for providing Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Please note the following conversion rates into Professional Development Hours (PDH), Continuous Learning Points (CLP), Professional Development Units (PDU), and Certified Professional Education Units (CPE): One CEU = 10 contact hours of instruction One PDH, CLP, PDU, or CPE = one contact hour of instruction One CEU = 10 PDH, CLP, PDU, or CPE Successful course completion requires participants to attend 80% of scheduled class meetings (and complete associated exams or projects, if applicable). Participants receive a certificate indicating the number of CEUs earned. Continuing Education Units provide a permanent record of an individual's educational accomplishments in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction. UAH OPCE use of the CEU follows the accepted criteria and guidelines established by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which complies with internationally recognized standards of The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). Will I receive a grade or take tests? Will I receive a grade or take tests? We do not issue letter grades. On successful course completion, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. Quizzes or tests are given in some courses which are preparatory for professional exams, and in some online learning courses. Will there be an official transcript or record of any courses I take through UAH Office of Professional and Continuing Education? Will there be an official transcript or record of any courses I take through UAH Office of Professional and Continuing Education? Yes. An official transcript of your CEU courses and the Continuing Education Units awarded is maintained in the Noncredit Registration Office. Official transcripts may be ordered by submitting a written request to Noncredit Registration Office along with payment of $10 per transcript request.
