Continuing Education Unit (CEU)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are CEU's?

The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized unit of measure for non-credit continuing education programs. It is used to document learning that differs from the traditional academic learning experience and has become vital as a means of determining the value of a learning experience in continuing education and training.

How are CEU's calculated?

As a general rule, one CEU is defined as ten (10) contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience. Fractions of units can also be awarded (5 hours = 0.5 units). The Division, after consulting with the State Committee of Vendors Chairman, may elect to award CEUs for participation in certain events that fall short of the required number of instructional hours.

How do programs qualify for CEU's

For a specific program or course to be eligible for approval of CEUs, the program: 

• Must be planned to fulfill a specific educational need.
• Must have a clear purpose and objective
• Must have qualified instructional personnel directly involved in conducting the educational activity.

What are the guidelines and procedures for obtaining CEU qualification?

• All programs receiving CEUs must be educational and held in an organized, structured setting.
• Course approval must be granted by the Business Enterprise Program in advance. 
• The number of CEUs awarded is determined by the actual instructional time with verified attendance of the BEP vendor.  Registration periods, breaks, and lunches are excluded in determination of time credit. 

What types of programs are eligible for consideration toward CEU credit?

• Seminars
• Workshops
• Short courses
• Paraprofessional training programs
• Certificate programs

Randolph-Sheppard Training

The National Research & Training Center on Blindness & Low Vision (NRTC) at Mississippi State University is offering modules covering important aspects of the Randolph-Sheppard program.  Below is a list of pre-approved NRTC courses eligible for CEU credit through BEP.  You can access these courses at https://nrtc.catalog.instructure.com/courses/randolph-sheppard.

After completing each module, there is a quiz that will test the student’s mastery of the subject. The student must pass the quiz with a score of 80% in order to generate and print a certificate verifying successful completion of the module. Students are allowed to retake the quiz until that score is reached. There is no fee associated with taking and completing individual modules. For more information on this curriculum, contact the NRTC at nrtc@colled.msstate.edu or 662-325-2001.

NRTC Approved Courses for CEUs

1. Active Participation - What It IS and What It Isn't  0.25 CEU credit
2. Assistive Technology and Its Potential for Blind Entrepreneurs  0.25 CEU credit
3. Basic Business Principles and the Randolph-Sheppard Enterprise  0.25 CEU credit
4. Funding the State  0.25 CEU credit
5. Healthier Food Options  0.25 CEU credit
6. Human Resources and the Blind Entrepreneur  0.25 CEU credit
7. Introduction to Blindness and Low Vision  0.25 CEU credit
8. Marketing and Customer Service  0.25 CEU credit
9. Marketing the Randolph-Sheppard Program to Outside Parties  0.25 CEU credit
10. Micro Markets  0.25 CEU credit
11. Partnering with the Private Sector: Expanding Opportunities for Blind Entrepreneurs  0.25 CEU credit
12. Social Security Disability and the Randolph-Sheppard Entrepreneur  0.25 CEU credit
13. The Randolph-Sheppard Act: What the Business Consultant Needs to Know  0.25 CEU credit
14. The Role of the Business Consultant  0.25 CEU credit
15. The Vocational Rehabilitation Program and How It Intersects with the Randolph-Sheppard Program  0.25 CEU credit
16. Working with Blind Entrepreneurs with Hearing Loss  0.25 CEU credit