CEU credits are continuing education credits teachers need to maintain their teaching licenses in their respective states. One CEU is the equivalent to 10 hours participating in a workshop, seminar, or course. CEU credits are a way for licensing bodies to measure continued education in the practice of teaching or in the teacher's content field. Most state departments of education have specific requirements for license maintenance, including the completion of a specified number of credits or an educational program for continuing education credit. CEU credits may be completed in face-to-face or online environments.
Teachers can search for online CEU credit courses or programs by requesting information from their school or district administrative offices. Most school administrations have current information on upcoming CEU credit opportunities for teachers. Additional online CEU credit opportunities may be found by searching the teacher's state department of education website or by personally contacting the state department of education to request assistance. Teachers may also search or request information from local colleges or universities in their area. Often, higher education institutions offer CEU credit courses for teachers, some of which may be completed online.
Teachers should verify if the CEU course or program they wish to complete is accredited. Unaccredited courses or programs, even if the teacher completes all requirements, may not satisfy the licensure mandates of the state department of education, the district, or the school. Any accredited online CEU credit courses or programs will have an indicator of the accrediting body. The teacher should ask for clarification if the accreditation status of an online CEU is in question. A common accrediting body for CEU credits is the International Association for Continuing Education and Training, or IACET.
Online CEU credit courses and programs are similar to online educational programs. Teachers may participate in discussion forums, collaborate with other teachers, present projects or write papers. Online CEU credit classes may require follow-up assignments before a teacher earns the CEU credit. Most CEU programs also require teachers to pay a fee to earn the credit. After the teacher finishes the CEU credit requirements, the teacher needs to complete the necessary paperwork for the state department of education and/or the school district to verify CEU completion. Normally, these forms are available upon request from the teacher's district administration. CEU credit completion forms should also be available for download or by request on the teacher's state department of education website.