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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Certificate Program?
Certificate programs provide in-depth training through a sequence of required and elective courses in a particular area of concentration. With a certificate from Penn State Abington you can:

• Stay current with developments in your field
• Consider other career options as you position yourself for a promotion or for marketing yourself to prospective employers
• Acquire new skills to assist you in your career through a focused, comprehensive educational experience
• Network with others in the field
• Obtain proof of concentrated study or complement a formal course of academic study with practical training.

Can I Take Individual Courses Without Enrolling in the Entire Program?
Yes, most courses can be taken individually as long as you meet any prerequisite course requirements

Who Teaches Certificate Courses?
Our courses are taught by seasoned professionals who are well qualified in the areas they are teaching. They bring real-world experience into the classroom and are up to date on the latest developments in their field.

How Long Does It Take to Complete a Certificate Program?
This varies with each program and depends on your pacing and the time required to take each course. There is no restriction on the number of classes you can sign up for in a term.

Do I Need to Buy Books for the Courses?
Most of our courses require a textbook. You may call our office to find out if there is a book required for your course.

If I Can’t Take a Class This Term, Will It Be Offered Again in the Future?
Many of the required courses in a certificate program are offered each term. However, elective courses may be offered only once a year. Please call our office to see the next time the class you want is going to be offered.

Will These Courses Appear on a Transcript?
Yes, you will receive an official transcript from Penn State University listing the courses completed along with your grade in each course.

Will I Earn College Credit?
You will receive Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) for each course. These are nationally recognized units of measurement for noncredit courses that are not for academic credit. You earn one CEU for every 10 hours of class time.

Do I Receive an Actual Certificate?
Yes, once you complete all of the required courses in your program and submit a certificate request form, we will issue you a certificate. Certificate request forms can be found on our website.

Do Alumni Receive Any Discounts?
Yes, Penn State Alumni receive 10% off the cost of our courses.