The CEU - CONTINUING EDUCATION UNIT

Through the Mississippi State University Continuing Education and Academic Outreach, our organization provides a permanent educational record of credit, known as Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

THE CEU

Continuing education units are an effective way to measure, record, and report a person's participation in continuing education activities. They are a nationally recognized and respected method of granting non-degree credit.

MEASURING CEUs

Participants earn one CEU for each 10 "contact" hours spent in an organized educational activity. According to requirements set by the National Task Force on Continuing Education, this activity must meet under the direction of an approved sponsor and qualified instructors.

Generally, a 60-minute clock hour is the standard of measurement for each contact hour. Any portion of an hour does not count toward CEUs. The total number of CEUs awarded depends on how much time a participant spends in a formal learning situation.

HOW STUDENTS USE THE CEU

Participants often use CEUs to meet career requirements. For example, your industry may have continuing education standards for licensing, certification, or registration. As a permanent record, CEUs can also help demonstrate professional competence, career development, vocational growth, and personal achievement.

WHAT THE CEU IS NOT

Since CEUs are not equivalent to academic credit, they are considered non-degree units of credit. However, some colleges and universities accept CEUs. Please check with your institution or States Department of Education for details.

QUALIFIED ACTIVITIES

CEUs are awarded for participation in educational activities with professional associations, business and industry, occupational groups, and education. Workshops, seminars, training programs, conferences, institutes, and short courses may qualify. As a guideline, these activities must be developed for a specific clientele, with the purpose of professional updating, re-certification, re-licensing, and retraining/vocational adjustment, or new career orientation.