Office of Extended Education

Continuing Education Unit (CEU)

The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) was developed by a task force of the National University Extension Association and has been recognized by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges and numerous professional organizations as a way to provide a consistent method to record and report the participation of individuals in a non-credit continuing education or the activities of constituent institutions in this area.

As non-credit continuing education activities become more important to individuals and organizations, it is important that CEUs be awarded on the basis of nationally accepted program quality criteria and administrative procedures.

The University of North Carolina System has long been committed to and involved in continuing education as an integral part of its threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service.  In recent years, students may not be working toward a degree but may have a need or desire to return to school to pursue occupational or professionally related continuing education, as well as cultural enrichment, or professional growth studies.

The University of North Carolina System defines one (1) continuing education unit as ten (10) contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.  CEU credit may be awarded for less than 10 contact hours, but should be evaluated carefully.