Continuing Education Units

A Paper by Ron Slee and Steve Johnson

What are Continuing Education Units (CEU)? Pivotal Professional Development Role.

In 1968, a group of individuals in the United States recognized that no standard means existed to quantify continuing education and training, one of the fastest growing segments of education in the workplace.

Adult learners participating in seminars, conferences, workshops, short courses, and other programs found it difficult to accumulate, update and transfer CE/T records. This was of particular concern to those in occupational fields that required such educational experiences to maintain membership, certification, licensing, or other recognition of professional achievement.

A task force formed to identify a uniform, nationally accepted unit of measurement that could be used to quantify CE/T activities. This unit, the continuing education unit (CEU), serves the same purpose for CE/T programs as the credit hour does for higher education coursework.

Nearly 90 million workers in the U.S. lack the skills needed to thrive in the future workforce. That’s not too surprising when we consider that among adults (25+) in 2022, 84 million had a high school diploma or less, 33 million had completed some college, and 77 million had college degrees. Further, 80 percent of workers say their college education was not relevant to their field(CAEL 2025).

For such workers, closing skills gaps means finally crossing the divide between their low-wage job to more rewarding work. And thousands of employers involved in WorkForce Development show that opportunities for career advancement come along with further skill development and credentials that increase earnings. That’s why adult learners and workers expect education and training to position them for advancement along rewarding career pathways. From apprenticeships to advanced degrees, the choices can be overwhelming. But the success of educators, employers, and entire communities depends on empowering adult learners to make the right choices. 

It seems clear to many that adult learners and workers can only realize their potential within a well-aligned industry, education, and workforce ecosystem. We help build organizational partnerships that center adult learners and workers in initiatives that span the continuum from education to employment. These include workforce and economic developers; chambers of commerce, postsecondary educators; employers and industry groups; and foundations and other mission-aligned organizations. If you are in one of these groups, we can help you meet adult learners and workers where they are and benefit the ecosystem and help achieve your goals by partnering on pathways that support equitable economic mobility and helping adult learners and workers navigate them.

CEUs and College Credit

Most colleges and universities will not directly accept Continuing Education Units for college or graduate credit. However, those who have the ability to assess prior CE/T learning activities as part of an overall portfolio of work experience, credentials and certifications may consider the CEU.

For more information about how CEUs can be translated into college credit, visit:

  • The Council on Adult and Experiential Learning.
  • The American College Advisory Service. 

A Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a standard attributed to continuing education programs to provide professional development across industries. One standard CEU entails ten hours engaged in an education program.

Many fields require ongoing education or training, and requirements vary between countries, states, and licensing boards. The following professions typically require CEUs:

  • Accountants
  • Administrators
  • Architects
  • Cosmetologists
  • Counselors
  • Dentists
  • Doctors
  • Engineers
  • Educators
  • Financial managers
  • Healthcare professionals
  • Insurance professionals
  • Interior designers
  • Lawyers
  • Paralegals
  • Project managers
  • Psychologists
  • Real estate agents
  • Safety personnel
  • Social workers
  • Tax preparers

However, there are also CEUs through a traditional education facility. Those education facilities are vocational and community colleges, a technical or vocational school, and a public or private university. This also requires ten hours for a CEU which can earn one academic credit that can go on the school transcript.

For example – Wharton Online accredited for Continuing Education Units (CEUs)?

Wharton Online has been accredited for CEUs by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) since November 1st, 2018. All of Wharton Online’s courses are accredited for CEUs.

What is the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)?

The IACET is an organization that provides a standardized structure for development and education for the global workforce. This organization is responsible for the initial development of CEUs, and the establishment of the ANSI/IACET Standard of Continuing Education and Training.

Learning Without Scars is accredited by IACET as well. We are the only ones in our industries that offer accredited CEUs which earn Academic Credits at the school categories listed above.

However, we also offer Workforce Development classes that earn Industry Certification. We offer Electrical Assessments and Classes as well as Flat-Bed Assessments and Classes. We are currently working on expanding this to include Supply Chain, Automotive, Material Handling, Finance, Banking, Human Resources, Continuing Education, and Cybersecurity.

The Internet is transforming education by changing the way students learn, and teachers teach. In public and private education:

  1. Online learning: The Internet has made online learning accessible to everyone. Students can now attend classes and complete assignments from anywhere, anytime.
  2. Personalized learning: With the Internet, students have access to a wide range of resources that allow for personalized learning experiences.
  3. Collaboration: The Internet enables students and teachers to collaborate in real-time from different locations, making it easier for students to work together on projects and assignments.
  4. Access to information: The Internet provides students with instant access to a vast amount of information, making it easier for them to research and learn about various topics.
  5. Improved communication: The Internet has made communication between teachers and students, as well as between schools, much easier and more efficient.

Overall, the Internet has greatly improved the education experience for students and teachers alike, providing them with new tools and resources to enhance their learning and teaching experiences.

How does Learning Without Scars work?

Learning Without Scars is a company that aims to improve the education system by making learning a positive and enjoyable experience for students. The company uses a variety of methods to achieve this goal, including:

  1. Game-based learning: Learning Without Scars incorporates elements of gaming into the learning process to make it more engaging and enjoyable for students.
  2. Experiential learning: The company encourages students to learn through hands-on experiences and real-life scenarios, as opposed to just reading from textbooks.
  3. Positive reinforcement: Learning Without Scars emphasizes the importance of positive reinforcement and reward-based learning to help students build confidence and motivation.
  4. Emotional support: The company provides emotional support to students, helping them develop healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and anxiety.
  5. Interdisciplinary approach: Learning Without Scars takes an interdisciplinary approach to education, incorporating elements of psychology, neuroscience, and other relevant fields to help students learn in the most effective way possible.
  6. Leading Edge Technology: Learning Without Scars uses leading edge technology and software. We use Artificial Intelligence to create Avatars and Audio Tracks and Subtitles. Now this includes a font for Dyslexia. 

The overall goal of Learning Without Scars is to help students develop a love of learning and a positive attitude towards education that will stay with them throughout their lives.

The Time is Now.

PS If there are any questions or comments I would love to hear from you at ron@learningwithoutscars.org