Earning and Ordering CEUs
If you have any questions or need additional information contact us at [email protected] or click on the request information button.
The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized measurement that validates you have taken a non-credit continuing education program. Programs that offer CEUs can help you maintain the position you have, qualify for more advanced roles, or work with new clientele. They serve as a proof point that you’re dedicated to work according to best practices and always with the latest knowledge, technology, and skills available.
CEUs are sponsored by an appropriate authority and provide instruction, direction, and evaluation by qualified personnel. George Mason’s Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) unit follows guidelines designed to assure proper documentation and reporting of non-credit activities in compliance with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) standards.
In programs that award CEUs, one CEU is assigned for every 10 contact hours of instruction. If CEUs are available for a program, it is stated in the registration information.
Are you an organization or government entity interested in applying for CEUs?
Complete the Application for Affiliates and see the Interested in Submitting a CEU Application section in the FAQs section below.
Are you a George Mason University department interested in applying for the CEU program?
Complete the Application for George Mason University Departments or Units and see the Interested in Submitting a CEU Application section in the FAQs section below for more information.
We can also be contacted at our CPE office, 703-993-2109, or email [email protected].
There are many industries and roles that require you to obtain continuing education to maintain your licensing, accreditation, or certifications. These include, but are not limited to the following:
- Accountants
- Administrators
- Architects
- Counselors
- Engineers
- Financial managers
- Healthcare professionals
- Lawyers
- Paralegals
- Project managers
- Safety personnel
- Tax preparers
Who Can Receive CEUs?
Any student who successfully completes a program that offers CEUs can print a certificate of the CEUs earned to verify they’ve earned them.
Additionally, a permanent record of CEUs is maintained by the university and official transcripts are easily accessible.
Custom Course Update Policy
George Mason University Continuing & Professional Education (CPE) is committed to ensuring that custom-developed Continuing Professional Education courses remain current, accurate, and aligned with applicable professional standards and client requirements.
Policy Details
Policy Statement
All custom CPE courses developed for specific organizations or agencies are reviewed and updated to ensure content accuracy, relevance, and alignment with current regulations, professional standards, and stated learning objectives.
Review and Update Triggers
Custom courses are reviewed and updated based on the nature, duration, and delivery schedule of the engagement, including:
- Prior to Initial Delivery:
All custom courses undergo a content review prior to first delivery to confirm accuracy and relevance. - Ongoing or Recurring Offerings:
For custom courses delivered multiple times or over an extended period, content is reviewed at least annually or prior to each new delivery cycle, whichever is more appropriate. - Triggered Updates:
Reviews and updates may occur at any time in response to:- Changes in laws, regulations, accounting standards, or professional guidance
- Client-requested modifications or scope changes
- Participant, instructor, or client feedback
- Updates to organizational policies, procedures, or systems referenced in the course
Update Process
Course updates may include:
- Revisions to instructional materials, examples, case studies, datasets, and assessments
- Updates to statutes, regulations, standards, or professional guidance
- Adjustments to learning objectives or instructional emphasis
- Modifications to delivery format, instructional methods, or learning activities
All updates are reviewed and approved by qualified subject matter experts and/or CPE instructional leadership prior to delivery.
Instructor Responsibilities
Instructors delivering custom courses are expected to:
- Deliver content consistent with the most current approved materials
- Communicate identified content changes or accuracy concerns to CPE leadership
- Incorporate approved updates into course delivery as required
Documentation
George Mason University maintains documentation related to the review and update of custom courses, including:
- Dates of review
- Summary of material updates
- Approval by instructional or program leadership
Documentation is retained in accordance with NASBA requirements and institutional record-keeping policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 variable and based on specific programs. They are not granted universally across an entire organization or to individuals.
Each class, conference, seminar, or training opportunity must be individually approved by our office in advance of the actual program. Approved CEU offerings are for specific programs offered by an authorized sponsoring university department, organization, agency, business and are issued to learners upon verified completion of stated program requirements.
CEUs are approved to be issued to all participants of programs that have a narrowly defined target audience and a learning objective that meets an identified need within the area of instruction.
Sponsors may not opt out of CEUs or issue CEUs to some, but not all, participants. Rather, the issuance of CEUs will be determined solely based on the participants’ satisfactory completion of the stated program requirements.
All programs that award a CEU must be sponsored by a university department. External agencies, including non-profit organizations, government agencies, businesses and professional development organizations, may be eligible to qualify their programs for CEUs if such programs demonstrate compatibility with the mission of the George Mason University and secure approval through Mason’s Continuing and Professional Education.
Mason departments, non-profits, companies and private organizations may submit a CEU application to award CEUs issued by George Mason University for education and training programs. Contact our CPE office for assistance at 703-993-2109 or email [email protected].
If CEUs are offered for a program it will be stated in the description and/or on the registration page, and can later be viewed in your student portal.
All programs for which CEUs are awarded must be sponsored by a university department. External agencies, including non-profit organizations, government agencies, businesses and professional development organizations, may be eligible to qualify their programs for CEUs if such programs demonstrate compatibility with the mission of the George Mason University and secure approval through Mason’s Continuing and Professional Education.
Mason departments, non-profits, companies and private organizations may submit a CEU application to award CEU issued by George Mason University for education and training programs.
Registration fee credits must be used within one year.