Frequently Asked Questions

What type of credit will I earn?
We grant Continuing Education Units of credit, CEUs, nationally recognized non-academic credit for professional development, at the rate of one CEU per ten hours of class time. You must attend 80% of the course hours to receive CEUs.

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 specific courses, which are preparatory for professional exams, and in distance learning courses.

What courses are available through distance learning?
We have a wide variety of courses and certificates in distance learning format. Please visit Distance Learning for complete information.

How soon should I register for a course?
We suggest that you register at least ten days to two weeks prior to the course beginning date. Registration for all courses is open until the day the course begins, but many courses fill weeks before the course start date. If a course is full, you can request that your name be placed on the waiting list in case there are any registration cancellations. Please click on "Ways to Register" for further information on course registration.

What does the registration fee include?
Our fee includes all books, manuals, course materials, lab fees, and parking decals. Only the Interior Design program requires separate book and supply purchases.

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 facilitate an optimum learning environment where students are able to complete hands-on workshop projects and applications.

What is a Certificate Program?
It 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. The Interior Design Certificate also requires students to pass a Review Board oral examination.

How do I receive an overall certificate?
To receive your overall certificate, complete the program requirements then submit a certificate completion form available from your program coordinator or our website.

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?
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?
Some Certificate Programs are made up of courses that should be taken in a specific order, with subsequent courses building on information learned in earlier courses. However, some Certificate Programs do not require courses to be taken in specific sequence. Please refer to a particular program description and its course listing for specific information in answer to this question.

How long does it take to complete a Certificate Program?
The courses required for completion of a program varies 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?
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.

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.

How do I receive a "Full Program Discount"?
Select certificate programs offer a discounted fee if you register for all courses in the certificate at one time. Choose classroom, distance learning, or a combination that best fits your schedule. To register, use the "Full Program" session # along with the # for each individual course, based on your preference. When registering online, select the "Full Program" session # only and CE registration staff will contact you for individual course information.

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 non-credit courses. Many employers' tuition plans do cover UAH Professional Development courses.

I think I'm eligible for Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Services. What is covered and whom should I contact?
UAH Professional Development is an Eligible Training Provider for WIA; therefore, tuition and books may be provided for you for many of our Certificate Programs. Please contact any Alabama Career Center for information on eligibility requirements. Madison County residents may call 256-851-0537.

Will there be an official transcript or record of any courses I take through UAH Professional Development?
Yes. An official transcript of your CEU courses and the Continuing Education Units awarded is maintained in the UAH Continuing Education Business Office. Official transcripts may be ordered by submitting a written request to UAH Continuing Education Business Office along with payment of $4 per transcript request.