Self-Study Providers
Self-Study Program Guidelines
Self-study programs must be pre-approved and are commercial
programs which have been designed for educational, self-paced
instruction. A listing of pre-approved self-study programs
is available from the Council for Certification. The listing
includes the program title; vendor name, address, and telephone
number; and the number of approved PDUs for each pre-approved
self-study program.
Each self-study program is reviewed for compliance in the
following ways:
- The program must meet the content criteria
for continuing education.
- The program must be refereed by content
experts. "Referred" refers to a review by a minimum
of three external professionals with demonstrated expertise
in the content area.
- The program must address one specific
subject in depth. Test items must accompany the program
and be based on its content. A bibliography must be cited
for reference and further reading. Complete references
must be cited. Controversial or disputed issues must be
presented as such, with documentation from current and
reputable refereed scientific journals.
- The emphasis of the program must be placed
on relevant content and the development of quality test
items rather than the length of the self-study program.
Test items must be based on the program.
- The program must be a minimum of one contact
hour. The program referees are required to attest to the
number of hours to complete the program.
- The program must be related to professional
development.
According to the Council for Certification policy, completed
activities should enhance a CFCS's professional practice.
Activities that provide only personal enrichment would not
be accepted for PDU credit for CFCS's in another field of
practice. Please keep this in mind when selecting self-study
programs.
Audiotapes and videotapes from any meeting that is pre-approved
for PDU 's will also automatically be pre-approved for self-study.
One PDU is awarded per hour of presentation. A 250-word written
abstract based on the content of each completed audiotape
and/or videotape is required documentation. Individual CFCS's
should obtain the Certificates of Completion from the individual
sponsors of pre-approved self-studies.
To find out more information about self-study providers and
courses available, call the Office of Certification at 703-706-4604.
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