Online Learning Gateway: Explore our Course Catalogs

Welcome to our online learning gateway, your path to extended education across diverse industries. Whether you're enhancing your skills in K-12 education, building expertise in the trades, mastering cutting-edge technology, pursuing certifications in health professions, or for general interest, our flexible, high-quality certificates and certifications are designed for you. With programs tailored to fit your schedule, you'll gain the knowledge and credentials to advance in your career. Explore our offerings and open the door to new opportunities on your professional journey! 

Cleveland State University: Where everyone thrives.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are courses 100% online? Do you have to attend any classes? Online courses are completely online. There are no in-person lectures to attend. Some micro-credentials include synchronous discussion sessions once per week as listed in the description.

Will I earn credit? No. Courses do not carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. 

What is your refund policy for online courses? You can request a 100% refund if you have not accessed the course and materials. No refund once a learner has logged into the course.

Certificates, Certifications, Digital Badges, and CEU Transcripts: Understanding Your Credential

Certificates are awarded by Cleveland State University upon completing coursework or training programs, demonstrating your competency in a particular subject or skill. Industry-recognized certifications are independent and require passing an exam or meeting specific standards to validate your expertise in a professional area. Digital badges provide a modern, visual representation of your achievements and skills, easily shareable on resumes and professional networks. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) measure participation in accredited continuing education courses, which are critical for maintaining professional licensure or certifications. CEU transcripts serve as a formal record of these completed courses, ensuring that your ongoing education is well-documented for employers, licensing boards, or educational institutions. CEU transcripts are available upon request.

The Value of the CEU: While some CEU programs may resemble college lectures, they do not provide college credit. However, similar to other credentials, CEUs allow professionals to demonstrate that they possess relevant skills and a commitment to staying updated in their field. Students generally earn one CEU for every ten (10) contact hours they complete. 

The CEU is a uniform unit of measurement for noncredit continuing education activities that meet certain requirements. As measured by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training, one CEU is defined as 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction. This can include content delivery, videos, assessments, and other activities, but it excludes networking and breaks.

A CEU is not equivalent to undergraduate or graduate credit and CEUs are only recorded to one decimal point (i.e., 14 contact hours is equivalent to 1.4 CEUs).

Understanding Extended Education

• Continuing Education refers to professional learning aimed at enhancing skills after completing a formal degree, often to meet licensure or certification requirements. CE is commonly required for professionals such as counselors, educators, lawyers, psychologists, social workers, and real estate agents, among others.
• Professional Development refers to learners investing in skill development to advance their careers. PD can be essential to achieving long-term goals, whether within a current role or positioning oneself for new opportunities. 
• Workforce Development often focuses on enhancing job skills, offering vocational or technical training, addressing skill gaps, and preparing workers for in-demand industries. Collaborations with government agencies, businesses, and community organizations typically drive these initiatives. The goal is to ensure that both individuals and employers are equipped to succeed in a rapidly changing economic landscape.

Whatever your goal for completing a CSU non-credit program, learners receive a digital certificate and a digital badge, as well as access to our certificate management system, where they can store, retrieve, and track their achievements.

If you are interested in pursuing a degree now or after obtaining a non-credit certificate or certification, please visit CSU's academic program page HERE

Looking for Project 60 at Cleveland State University? Please click HERE