Special Programs and Continuing Education
Certificate-Only Training Notification
University departments and partner programs may offer non-credit workshops, trainings, conferences, institutes, and professional development programs that provide a certificate of attendance or completion.
The certificate-only option is appropriate when a department or program wants to document that a participant attended or completed a training, but the offering is not seeking approval to award University Continuing Education Units.
When to use certificate-only documentation
Certificate-only documentation may be appropriate for non-credit learning opportunities where participants need proof of attendance or completion, but do not need formal University CEU documentation.
- May document the training title, sponsoring department or entity, date, and instructional/contact hours.
- May be useful for short trainings, workshops, seminars, conferences, and internal or external professional learning events.
- Does not award CEUs, academic credit, University credit, or approved professional development credit.
Best for: Programs where participants need basic documentation of attendance or completion rather than formal CEU records.
What departments must submit
Certificate-only offerings do not require the full CEU application, but departments should notify appropriate University officials and submit the required pro forma before offering the training.
- Complete the certificate-only notification/application form.
- Submit the pro forma for the planned offering.
- Use certificate language that accurately describes the training and does not imply CEU approval.
- Review the information packet for recommended planning guidance.
Recommended: Departments are encouraged to use clear objectives, completion expectations, and assessment or verification methods when planning the training.
Certificate-Only Process
The certificate-only process is designed to document the offering and support appropriate planning and certificate language without requiring formal CEU approval.
1. Review the packet
Review the information packet for certificate-only expectations, planning guidance, and recommended certificate language.
2. Complete forms
Complete the certificate-only application or notification form and the downloadable pro forma for the offering.
3. Submit materials
Submit the pro forma and notification form through the submission link before the training is offered.
4. Review and approval
GPE will review the pro forma and notification form and provide notification of approval before the training proceeds.
Certificate-Only Requirements and Guidance
- Appropriate use: A department may issue a certificate of attendance or completion stating that a participant attended or completed a training consisting of a stated number of instructional/contact hours.
- Accurate terminology: The certificate should clearly identify the training as non-credit and should not suggest that CEUs or University-approved continuing education credit were awarded.
- Instructional/contact hours: Certificates may list the number of instructional/contact hours, provided the hours accurately reflect the training time.
- Planning quality: Although the full CEU application is not required, departments are encouraged to plan trainings with clear objectives, participant expectations, and appropriate methods for confirming attendance or completion.
- Participant responsibility: Participants are responsible for determining whether a certificate-only training meets any requirements of their employer, licensing body, or certifying organization.
Important note about terminology
Certificate-only offerings should not say or imply that the participant earned CEUs, continuing education credit, approved professional development credit, University CEU credit, academic credit, or any similar designation.
Avoid phrases such as “CEU certificate,” “continuing education certificate,” “approved hours,” “credit hours,” “professional development credit,” or “eligible for CEUs” unless the course has gone through the official CEU approval process.
Sample Certificate Language
Departments may use language similar to the following for certificate-only offerings:
This certificate verifies that [Name] completed [Training Title], a non-credit training offered by [Department/Entity] on [Date], consisting of [X] instructional/contact hours. This training was not approved for University Continuing Education Units (CEUs), academic credit, or professional licensure credit unless otherwise stated by the participant’s licensing or certifying body.
Forms and Submission Links
Use the links below to review the certificate-only packet, complete the required forms, and submit materials.
University of Dayton Olli