Print icon Print Page

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

George Mason University logoThe Intelligence & Security Academy is working with George Mason University Executive and Professional Education to offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for some of its courses.  If a course has been approved for CEUs, the CEU icon and number of CEUs will be noted on the website with the course description.

How do I obtain my CEU certificate?
 Upon completion of an approved course, the Intelligence & Security Academy will provide each student with George Mason University’s form stating the course name, dates, and number of CEUs awarded.   Students complete their personal information on the form (name, phone, address, email) and submit it to George Mason University Executive and Professional Education with a check for $40.00.

Who approves Academy courses for CEUs and how is the CEU program administered?
George Mason University Executive and Professional Education manages the review of programs submitted for CEU approval to determine if they qualify for CEUs. To make these determinations, George Mason University Executive and Professional Education uses guidelines and criteria for awarding CEUs, and compares courses to national measurement standards. They are responsible for awarding CEUs to all students who successfully complete course requirements for CEU approved courses.

Where are the Official CEU Records Maintained?
A permanent record of CEUs awarded will be maintained in George Mason University’s database and will be easily accessible for certification and verification purposes.  To obtain verification of CEUs for participating in a George Mason University approved program, contact George Mason University Executive and Professional Education’s Fairfax Campus main office at 703-993-2109. Please include your name, address, and the name(s) and date(s) of the program(s) you have attended.

General Information

What is a Continuing Education Unit?
 A Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized unit of measurement for participation in non-credit continuing education programs.

How are CEUs calculated?
 One CEU is defined as ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience. A CEU can be awarded in whole units or fractions of a unit (one-tenth unit) for each additional contact hour.

What are the benefits of CEUs?
The objective of the CEU is to:

  • Provide a nationally established record of professional development learning activity
  • Encourage adult students to utilize educational resources to meet their personal and educational needs
  • Recognize individuals that continue their education and keep themselves current in their chosen professions
  • Enable individuals to have an accurate source of their current CEU activity
  • Provide a system to document continuing education experiences in meeting certification requirements.

What are the criteria for awarding CEUs?
 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) may be awarded based on programs meeting the following criteria:

  • Planning – The program meets the educational needs of the group being served and there is representation from the clientele.
  • Purpose – Specific objectives of the program along with a statement of rationale, purpose, and goals are made before initiation of the program.
  • Instruction – Qualified instructional personnel are selected for all educational activity.
  • Performance – Regular attendance or participation in the program is normally the minimal requirement; however, the planning committee or course director may establish alternative criteria for evaluation performance.
  • Program Evaluation – Development of an evaluation plan to determine if the program objectives were accomplished.
  • Records and Registration – A permanent, confidential and transferable record on all CEU awards is kept by Learning Solutions.

What types of events may be approved to award CEUs?
 All non-credit courses, workshops, conferences and seminars that are designed to expand the skills and knowledge of professionals, are eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEUs). CEUs may be awarded to any of the following:

  • Non-credit classes, clinics, independent study programs, online courses, and TV or videotaped programs used as part of an organized education experience.
  • Non-credit technical and professional courses.
  • In-service training programs.
  • Programs that will fulfill certificate or licensing requirements.
  • Programs falling within a “technical/industrial society” sponsored by the university, enabling members to upgrade their technical or occupational credentials.
  • Paraprofessional and vocational training programs.
  • Staff development programs.

CEUs are typically not awarded to:

  • Any program for which academic credit is received.
  • Orientation or on-the-job training programs.
  • A program that leads to high school credit.
  • Individual, self-directed studies or independent learning experiences not subject to verification by testing.