Support Services
Support Services
Some Useful Terms
Professional Education
Professional education encompasses structured, career-focused learning designed to develop or refine expertise in a specific discipline. It emphasizes applied learning through the study of core principles, concepts, and methodologies. Often delivered through formal coursework, certificates, or training programs, professional education helps individuals remain competitive, adapt to evolving industry standards, and transition between roles or sectors. It serves as a critical link between academic theory and practical application in the workplace.
Executive Education
Executive education is tailored for experienced professionals, particularly those in senior or leadership roles. These programs focus on strategic competencies in areas such as finance, marketing, operations, innovation, entrepreneurship, and human resources. With an emphasis on leadership development, organizational impact, and peer learning, executive education fosters the advanced skills necessary for high-level decision-making and enterprise leadership. Additional benefits often include networking opportunities and exposure to global business trends.
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The resources below are specific to targeted areas:
Supporting Your Non-Credit Learning Initiatives
Our office is committed to empowering both internal and external partners in the development and delivery of non-credit learning opportunities.
- For UNCW Colleagues: CLICK HERE to access our dedicated SharePoint site for internal resources and support.
- For External Partners: We offer complimentary initial consultations in areas such as:
- General needs assessments
- Designing and launching learning and development programs
- Exploring alternative credentials and digital badging
We invite you to consider partnering with us for your operational and programmatic needs.
To schedule a conversation with our team, please use our convenient Booking Tool.
Introduction
What is a Digital Badge?
Interested?
Our office is committed to empowering both internal and external partners in the usage of digital badging.
- For UNCW Colleagues: CLICK HERE to access our dedicated SharePoint site for internal resources and support.
- For External Partners: We offer complimentary initial consultations
We invite you to consider partnering with us for your operational and programmatic needs.
To schedule a conversation with our team, please use our convenient Booking Tool.
Below are some commonly asked questions. Although not meant to be exhaustive, these are some of the more frequent questions. If you have a specific question, please reach out to us here at CPE and we will gladly reply.
If I Earn a (Non-credit) Certificate From the University Am I Considered a “Graduate?”
Non-credit efforts that lead to certificates afford you the association with a highly reputable university. These credentials are a sign of completion of a program, but to be considered a "graduate" you would need to earn an academic degree from one of our degree-granting colleges.
Will I Earn College Credit?
Typically, these courses and programs are non-credit, so they do not transfer for credit. Some institutions may view such efforts as a prior learning experience (PLE) and provide a prior learning assessment (PLA) that can lead to credit for prior learning (CPL). However, if the learner is attempting to do so they need to check with the institution of interest.
What Is the Difference Between a Certification and a Certificate?
Certifications are meant for individuals who are required to acquire and maintain a certain level of skill or knowledge to enter a specific field. This usually is driven by a legal requirement that must be met to perform their duties, with a focus on assuring the public trust is met. Certificates themselves are awarded after a participant successfully completes a course or program. Efforts in a CPE area is typically non-credit with certificates serving as a verifying credential.
What is a Continuing Education Unit (CEU)?
CEU is an acronym for “Continuing Education Unit.” For our purposes, one CEU equals 10 hours of participation in a non credit program normally designed for professionals requiring certifications or licensure to practice within various professions. Such professionals include accountants, lawyers, healthcare workers, teachers. This may include CEU's needed to keep credentials current, or in some cases CEU's needed before you can actually sit for a (re)certification exam. While we generally offer CEUs, it is the learner’s responsibility to confirm with the receiving agency that CEUs will be accepted, ideally prior to enrollment.
What is a Digital Badge?
Badges are a visual representation of having earned a microcredential. Simply put they are symbols. Digital badges are backed by metadata (data about data), and can be used on various platforms, added to digital resumes, embedded in an e-portfolio.
Can I Use Financial Aid for Non Credit Offerings?
Courses offered by Continuing & Professional Education are not for academic credit, therefore financial aid through UNCW is not provided. However, you may be able to use loans or other assistance.
You mention several partners. Who are they?
We offer a range of programs in collaboration with trusted partners. Each partnership is clearly identified on the relevant program pages. Our current partners include ed2Go, Educational Testing Consultants, and Virtual Education Software. You are welcome to visit their websites for additional information.
If you have any questions or need further clarification, please feel free to contact us via EMAIL.
Will I Get a 1098-T Form at Tax Time?
No. Non-credit programs do not necessitate a 1098-T form.
If interested in additional resources including other products/services, please review the community registration page for options. The Community Registration Services System provides a search feature for you to research your CPE related interests.
The university offers continuing, professional, and executive education through a variety of units listed on our registration site and below. With the terms provided, please peruse the various offerings. As always, feel free to reach out to us at uncwcpe@uncw.edu for any help including navigating your choices.
Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE)
Continuing and Professional Education (CPE)
Office of Institutional Diversity & Inclusion
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Quality Enhancement for Nonprofit Organizations (QENO)
- Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC)
- Swain Center for Executive Education and Economic Development
College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)
College of Humanities, Social Sciences, & the Arts
College of Science and Engineering