FAQ
Our team fields questions related to our online courses and online certificates. We’ve put together a list of these questions to help you understand the benefits from our online continuing education programs, financing (spoiler alert: many employers will cover some or all of your cost), and schedules.
Of course, we’re always ready to discuss your options via phone or email. Give us a call at (541) 737-1500, or send us an email at cpe@oregonstate.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
CEUs are a nationally recognized way to document participation in non-credit learning activities. One CEU equals 10 contact hours of instruction. Many of our courses offer between 2.0 to 2.4 CEUs, which reflect 20–24 hours of total learning time.
We offer a variety of non-credit certificate programs and individual courses designed to support working professionals. Topics include project management, human resources, digital marketing, business analytics, finance, Lean Six Sigma, nonprofit leadership, and more.
Our programs are open to anyone, regardless of academic background or enrollment at ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø. They're designed for working professionals, career changers, and lifelong learners seeking practical, skill-based training.
Yes, all of our courses are delivered fully online. Most are asynchronous, allowing you to complete the work on your own schedule. Group-paced courses may include optional check-ins or discussion boards, but no live sessions are required.
Group-paced courses typically run 5 to 7 weeks, while self-paced courses provide 90 days of access from the day you begin. You can expect to spend about 4–6 hours per week on coursework, depending on your familiarity with the material and the course format.
Self-paced courses allow you to work on your own schedule within a 90-day access window. Group-paced courses run on fixed dates and include instructor check-ins, weekly pacing, and interaction with peers.
Yes, you can register for just one course without committing to the full certificate. Many learners take individual courses to build specific skills. If you decide later to complete the full certificate, previously completed CPE courses will count toward your progress.
Courses can be taken individually and in any order unless otherwise noted in the program details. This flexibility allows students to start with the course that best fits their schedule or interests.
There are no pre-requisites or application process, and you will not have to submit a resume, transcript or certificate to verify your language or writing skills. Simply visit the program listing on our Continuing and Professional Education website, select your course, and follow the registration prompts through our Ideal-Logic system to enroll.
Yes. For group-paced courses, registration remains open through Friday of the first week of class. Self-paced courses can be started at any time.
Group-paced courses typically run for five to seven weeks and start every 6–8 weeks. Self-paced programs can be started anytime and provide 90 days of access from the time you begin the course.
There are no extra enrollment or administrative fees beyond the published course price. However, some courses may require textbooks or additional course materials. These are listed in the syllabus for each course, which is made available to enrolled students a few weeks prior to the course start date. This allows time for instructors to finalize any updates and for students to acquire materials in advance.
While our non-credit courses aren’t eligible for federal financial aid or payment plans, some employers may offer tuition reimbursement or professional development funding. We can work with you and your employer to process third-party billing or provide documentation for reimbursement.
We do offer discounts for OSU alumni and staff, active-duty military and veterans, and employer-sponsored groups; contact us at cpe@oregonstate.edu to learn more.
Course prices vary by program. Most individual self-paced courses range from $275 to $475, while group-paced range between $400-$625. Costs are listed on each course page.
No, these are non-credit professional development courses. However, they may qualify for continuing education units (CEUs) or be eligible for reimbursement by your employer.
Some institutions may accept credit earned for non-credit courses as applicable towards a degree. The decision is ultimately that of the institution you plan to transfer the credit to. It is the responsibility of the student to confirm the transferability with the other institution.
Yes! You’ll receive a Certificate of Completion after successfully completing each course, and a Program Certitifcate of Completion once all required courses are completed in a certificate program. These are available for download through your Ideal-Logic student portal.