Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to frequently asked questions about University of Arizona office of Continuing & Professional Education (CaPE) programs.

Funding, Tuition Assistance and Payment

No, QTR does not apply to CaPE non-credit courses. University of Arizona faculty and staff receive a 10% discount on many courses; however, this discount does not apply to family members.

Federal Financial Aid Programs

Unfortunately, we are not currently able to accept GI Bill funding, AmeriCorps Education Awards or federal student aid (such as Pell grants or federal student loans).

However, participants in University of Arizona Continuing & Professional Education programs may be eligible for discounts and financial assistance.

VA Education Benefits

Unfortunately, Continuing and Professional Education non-credit programs are not eligible for most VA Education Benefits.

Additionally, certification of enrollment cannot be provided for any non-credit programs at the University of Arizona, including Continuing & Professional Education programs. The University of Arizona can only certify enrollment for credit-bearing courses that can be applied towards a degree, such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree. If you are planning to use VA benefits to fund your University of Arizona education, please visit the Military-Connected Benefits & Certifications website to explore options for credit-bearing courses.

Discounts

Participants may be eligible for discounts, including:

Only one discount can apply per registration.

Payment Plans

Payment plans are available for select classes. Rather than paying the full registration fee, students will have the option to pay a deposit (usually a percentage of the total course cost) during the registration process. Students may pay the remaining balance at their convenience up until ten (10) business days before class start date. When choosing this option, students will agree to the following

  • The deposit amount is non-refundable.
  • Student is responsible for paying any remaining balance due (10) business days prior to class start date. If balance is not paid in full prior to 10 business days before class start date, the student's registration will be canceled and payments (less the deposit amount) will be refunded

If a payment plan option is available, that information will be noted in the class description.

Financial Assistance Options

Funding may be available for:

  • Unemployed or dislocated workers. Funding through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) or H1-B grant program may be available for unemployed or dislocated workers and other eligible applicants. Learn more by contacting your local One-Stop Service Center. See programs that are approved for Arizona workforce development agency funding. See programs that are approved for H-1B funding.
  • Air Force COOL Program participants. See all programs that are approved for Air Force COOL.
  • Army Credentialing Assistance (CA) Program participants. See all programs that are approved for Army CA.
  • Military spouses participating in the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship (MyCAA) program. See all programs that are approved for MyCAA.

If you are seeking funding from a military education program or a workforce development agency, we have a handy overview of the process here.

Payment Options

Yes, an employer or other funder can pay for your registration. The payment process varies for different payers:

  • An employer can pay for your registration several ways. We accept credit card payments (either online or by phone) and check payments. We also accept purchase orders for future payment. The payer can contact us to make payment arrangements.
  • If your funder is a workforce development agency (such as Arizona Job Connection, MyCAA, or vocational rehab), please visit our workforce development page for an overview of the process and instructions for getting started.
  • University of Arizona departments/units can pay via internal billing. The payer can contact us to make payment arrangements.

Requirements and Eligibility for CaPE Programs

CaPE courses are open to everyone 18 years of age or older, in almost any location world-wide. You do not need to be an admitted and enrolled University of Arizona student or located in Arizona.

If a specific course has prerequisites, that information will be included in the course description.

Our classes are designed to help adult workers gain the knowledge and skills they need to achieve career success. Our students include:

  • Working professionals who want to learn new skills, so they can advance in their current careers
  • People who want to launch a new career
  • Un(der)employed workers looking to acquire the skills they need to find a new job
  • Workers who want to keep current in a rapidly-changing profession

What most of our students have in common is that they are busy, and they need flexible learning options. That’s why we offer a wide variety of online classes that allow busy adults to learn at their own pace and at their convenience. Most online courses provide 12 months of access to course material. Many of our in-person classes meet during the evening or on weekends to accommodate the needs of working professionals.

Non-credit Programs

No, participants in our non-credit programs are not admitted to or enrolled in a University of Arizona for-credit program. CaPE program participants will not be issued a student ID card (CatCard), and they will not have access to on-campus recreational facilities, library privileges, computer labs, discounts or other admitted-student benefits.

If you are interested in pursuing a degree or other for-credit program, you can learn more about University of Arizona admissions requirements here.

All our programs are non-credit and therefore you will not be issued an IRS Form 1098-T. You should contact a qualified tax professional to determine whether your program is eligible for any tax benefits, such as education credits.

Credit courses are for students who are interested in earning an associate, bachelor or graduate degree. All CaPE classes are non-credit and are intended for working adults who want to learn new skills or earn professional credentials. CaPE programs cannot be applied towards any for-credit degree program.

A license is a credential that permits the holder to practice in a specified field. A license is usually awarded by a government licensing agency based on pre-determined criteria. The criteria may include some combination of degree attainment, certifications, certificates, assessment, apprenticeship programs, or work experience. Licenses are usually time-limited and must be renewed periodically. A nursing license is a common example of this type of credential.

Industry certifications are credentials that are usually awarded by a certification body (not a school or government agency) based on an individual demonstrating, often through an examination process, that he or she has acquired the designated knowledge, skills and abilities to perform a specific occupation or skill. Certifications are usually time-limited and may be renewed through a re-certification process.

Industry certification courses are designed to prepare you to take one of these nationally-recognized certification exams, such as Cisco, CompTIA, Project Management Professional (PMP) or SHRM-CP exams. These certifications can help experienced professionals move up in their current careers or open the door to starting a new career in certain industries.

A non-credit certificate is awarded by an educational institution (such as University of Arizona Continuing & Professional Education) after satisfactory completion of a program. Certificate programs typically involve successfully completing more than one course. Non-credit certificates are useful for demonstrating that you have learned new skills that can help you advance in your current career or launch a new one. Certificates are not time-limited and do not need to be renewed.

Certificates of Completion

Yes. You will receive a free digital (PDF) Certificate of Completion upon successful completion of your course.

You may purchase a printed (hard copy) Certificate of Completion for an additional charge.

Learner records, including Certificates of Completion, are retained for seven (7) years after the course/program end date.

Taking Online Courses

For most online courses, all you need is a computer with a high-speed internet connection (cable or DSL).

While many courses are mobile-friendly, you will generally have a much better experience if you complete your course work on a device that has a full-size screen (a desktop computer with a monitor, or a laptop).

Individual courses may have specific requirements, but we recommend that your equipment meet the following minimum system requirements:

  • CPU/Processor: 1 GHz or greater CPU recommended
  • Memory: 1 GB RAM or greater
  • A high-speed internet connection
  • Current web browser. Google Chrome is recommended for most online courses.
  • Operating system: Windows 7 or higher, Apple OS X 10 or higher

Speakers/headphones, a webcam and a microphone may be required, depending on the course format. You may also need to download and install Zoom, WebEx or other conferencing software.

Some course material is available in PDF format. You may need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these materials.

Courses may also require the use of specific software. Please be sure to check that your computer meets the minimum system requirements to use that software.

For self-paced courses that do not have a specific start date, you will usually receive login information and other instructions within 3-4 business days of registration. For courses with a specific start date, you will receive login information and other instructions no later than the first day of class.

Online courses may be self-paced, instructor-led, or mentor-supported.

In a self-paced course, you are given access to the course materials, but there is not a person leading you through the material. A mentor-supported class is like a self-paced class, but there is an expert available to answer questions and help you better understand the material. In an instructor-led class, you usually interact with an instructor at various points through the class, and the instructor will be available to answer questions.

Most of our online courses include periodic assessment tests to help you measure whether you are understanding the material or could benefit from more study.