Offer a Non-Credit Program

Proposing a Non-Credit Program at ECU 

The Office of Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) serves as the administrative home for all non-credit programs at East Carolina University. Faculty or staff interested in developing a non-credit program will propose that program by completing the Non-Credit Program Submission Form (link provided below). 

Because non-credit programming can vary widely in scope and purpose, we encourage you to consult with CPE early in the planning process. CPE staff can provide guidance on program design, market considerations, budgeting, credentialing options, and the preparation of supporting materials. 

Contact CPE 

  • Email: cpe@ecu.edu 
  • Phone: 252-328-9198 

Additionally, the information below, along with the linked resources, provides context for some of the options you may want to consider when developing your non-credit program. 

Types of Non-Credit Programs

Non-credit programs may be delivered in various formats, including: 

  • In-person 
  • Online 
  • Hybrid (combined online and in-person) 

Programs may take many forms, such as: 

  • Stand-alone courses 
  • Series of courses 
  • Conferences 
  • Personal enrichment programs 
  • Youth summer camps 
  • Community engagement initiatives 
  • Other specialized learning opportunities 

Supporting Materials

Supporting materials to be submitted with the program proposal include: 

  • Dean’s Letter of Support (and acknowledgement of support from department chair or director) 
  • Budget Plan  
  • Market Analysis addressing demand for the proposed program 

Note: we have samples/templates for each or these – request those by emailing cpe@ecu.edu. These materials help ensure that the program has a sustainable business model and that it aligns with ECU’s strategic goals. 

Programs Involving Third-Parties

In this context, a third-party is any person or entity that is not ECU faculty or staff. For any non-credit program or credential involving a third-party, the proposer must request and receive preliminary approval for that involvement from the Office of Continuing and Professional Education. Final approval of third-party involvement will come from the Provost. Note that third-party involvement can include: 

  • Creation or development of curriculum 
  • Co-creation or co-development of curriculum 
  • Delivery of curriculum 
  • Co-delivery of curriculum 
  • Any combination of the above 

Certificates and Digital Badges

Someone who successfully completes a non-credit program might earn: 

  • A Certificate 
  • A Digital Badge (please see “Digital Badges and Microcredentials” below) 

Such a credential may represent: 

  • An industry recognized certification 
  • A recognition of participation or successful completion 
  • Continuing Education (CE) hours or Continuing Education Units (CEUs) (please see “Continuing Education (CE) and Continuing Education Units (CEUs)” below] 
  • A Microcredential (please see “Digital Badges and Microcredentials” below) 

Digital Badges and Microcredentials

Digital badges provide a meaningful way to recognize and communicate learning achievements beyond traditional academic credentials. For programs that offer workforce development, professional education, and skills-based training, these credentials offer a flexible mechanism for documenting and validating specific competencies. 

A digital badge represents a verifiable online credential that recognizes the attainment of a particular skill, certification, accomplishment, or learning outcome. Badge earners can display these badges on digital resumes, email signatures, e-portfolios and professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn. Each badge contains secure, embedded metadata that identifies the issuing organization, describes the credential the badge represents, and documents the criteria required to earn it. This transparency allows employers, colleagues and other stakeholders to verify the achievement and understand its significance. 

While Microcredentials are often accompanied by digital badges, the two concepts are not synonymous. A digital badge may recognize participation, completion of a training activity or achievement of a specific milestone. A Microcredential, however, represents a more formal recognition of demonstrated learning and competency. 

At East Carolina University (ECU), a program must meet specific standards to be approved as a Microcredential. To qualify, the program must: 

  • Impart specific workforce-aligned knowledge and/or skills. 
  • Employ an assessment capable of verifying mastery of the associated knowledge and skills. 
  • Incorporate a plan for evaluating learning outcomes and ensuring academic rigor. 
  • Receive approval from the Non-Credit Continuing Education Committee.

These requirements help ensure that Microcredentials issued at ECU represent meaningful, high-quality learning experiences that are valued by employers and other stakeholders. 

Important Note: The term Microcredential is still evolving nationally, and definitions vary among institutions and organizations. ECU currently applies the criteria described above when determining whether a program qualifies to issue a Microcredential. As broader standards emerge and become established, ECU will align its practices with those standards. 

Continuing Education (CE) and Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Faculty developing non-credit programs may wish to offer participants recognition for continuing education, particularly when the audience includes professionals who must document ongoing learning to maintain licenses, certifications or other professional credentials. Although these programs do not award academic credit, they may award continuing education hours or Continuing Education Units (CEUs). 

CEs

Continuing Education (CE) Contact Hours refer to the actual number of instructional hours a participant completes in a continuing education program. These hours are sometimes also called: 

  • CEs (Continuing Education hours) 
  • In-service training hours 
  • CECs (Continuing Education Credits) – note that CPE programs do not offer academic credit. To head off confusion, our office avoids use of the word “credit” when describing our programs. 

CEUs

A Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized and standardized measure of continuing education participation. CEUs are calculated based on instructional time: 

  • 1.0 CEU = 10 hours of qualified instruction 
  • Breaks, meals, and other non-instructional activities are not included in the calculation 
  • Programs may award fractional CEUs (e.g., 1.5 CEUs for 15 instructional hours) 
  • The minimum CEU award is 0.1 CEU, representing 1 hour of instruction 

Faculty who wish to offer CEUs should be aware that programs must meet specific standards for continuing education. To qualify for CEU approval, a program should clearly identify: 

  • Program learning objectives 
  • Participant performance requirements 
  • Procedures for evaluating program effectiveness and quality 

UNC System Policy regarding CEU

For reference, please see The UNC Policy Manual 400.1.9[G} – Guideline for the Use of the Continuing Education Unit (CEU)

UNC Policy Manual

Setting Up for Success 

When planning a non-credit offering, faculty should determine early whether participants are likely to need continuing education documentation and whether CE contact hours or CEUs would provide value for the intended audience. This information can then be incorporated into program design, assessment and participant communications. 

Our team collaborates with academic and industry partners to ensure alignment of continuing education programs with relevant professional associations. Consequently, our Nursing Education Educator Development (NEED) course, for example, covers the content and continuing education verification specified by the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON). We coordinate the partnership process, identify opportunities for affiliation and help ensure that programs reflect industry standards, strengthen professional credibility and expand opportunities for learners. 

Getting Started 

If you are new to proposing a non-credit program at ECU, you might find this all to be more than you expected. Fair enough, but the good news is that the CPE staff has done this before and we are here to help you through all of it. Early consultation with CPE will go far to ensure a smooth proposal process and successful program launch. CPE staff is available to help you refine program ideas, to develop supporting documentation and to identify the most appropriate credentialing options for participants.  

 

Non-Credit Program Submission Form