We strongly recommend taking one course at a time. Course start dates are established so it is possible to start the next course within 2 weeks of completing the previous course allowing you to earn the Effective Teaching Practices Framework Certification, if you desire, within 8 months. Each week you will be asked to learn new research-based practices, implement them in your courses, and reflect on your practice. The one-module-a-week pacing allows you and your students to benefit from a deep focus on that module’s practices before moving on to additional topics and practices. 

To earn the Effective Teaching Practices Framework Certification, you must complete four courses: Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Learning Environment, Promoting Active Learning, Inspiring Inquiry and Preparing Lifelong Learners, and Designing Learner-Centered and Equitable Courses. You may take courses from our Effective Teaching Practices (geared primarily for those teaching in person), our Effective Online Teaching Practices (geared for those teaching online), or a combination of both modalities.

To earn the Advanced Certification in Effective Teaching Practices Framework, you must complete the three additional courses, such that all seven courses in the Effective Teaching Practices and Effective Online Teaching Practices have been completed. 

The Fostering a Culture of Belonging course is a deeper dive into inclusive practices. Participants will earn a course badge upon completion, but this course does not apply toward the full ACUE Certification or Advanced Certification in the Effective Teaching Practices Framework.

An ACUE course facilitator will provide support throughout your course, including leading virtual discussions in LMS discussion boards. Facilitators will also respond to your support needs within 24 hours. Technical assistance is also available by emailing [email protected]. For additional information about course accessibility, please review our Statement of Accessibility.

To satisfy module requirements and earn a badge, course-takers submit a reflection aligned to a rubric that will be shared with you. Each course requires four to seven reflections to earn the course badge. Each reflection is scored by a National Reader assigned to your cohort. Successful completion of all assignments is required to complete the course.

• Most open enrollment courses are comprised of six or seven online learning modules. Each module addresses a competency defined in ACUE’s Effective Teaching Practices Framework©. Successfully completing an open enrollment course earns a course badge, which can stack with other ACUE courses to earn Effective Teaching Practices Framework Certification.
• The Fostering a Culture of Belonging course is a deeper dive on inclusive practices. This course contains four modules and does not apply toward the ACUE Certification or Advanced Certification in Effective College in the Effective Teaching Practices Framework.
• Modules are content-rich and include demonstration videos, interviews with leading experts, curated planning guides, and other resources.
• Downloadable planning guides and resources o support learning and implementation of recommended practices.
• One synchronous, facilitated 1.25-hour Zoom session on the course launch date.
• Professional facilitation by an expert in teaching and learning with whom you will share insights and ideas along with other educators in your cohort.
• Continued access to course materials for one year after course completion.

ACUE courses are taught, facilitated, administered, and supported in English. To get the most out of your experience, proficiency in written and spoken English is essential.

To Cancel an Individual Enrollment

All cancellation notifications must be sent in writing via email to [email protected].

A full refund may only be obtained if such request is made at least 31 days prior to the course start date*. Cancellations received 30 days or less before the program begins are eligible for refunds as described below:

• If requested 15-30 days before the course start date, 50% of course tuition.
• If requested fewer than 15 days before the course start date, no refund.

If ACUE cancels a course, registered participants are eligible for either:

• A refund of any tuition paid or
• A transfer of their registration to a future course.

Refunds will be processed to the original payment method. ACUE reserves the right to limit refunds to 1 per year.

If a bundle of 2 or more courses were purchased refunds will only be permitted prior to the first course in accordance with the terms above. Packages may not be transferred to another party.

Open Enrollment Seats Purchased by an Institution  

Open Enrollment seats purchased by institution are valid for 1 year from the purchase date. Seats not utilized by the end of this term will expire. 

Bundles of 2 or more courses purchased by an institution are valid for the original course-taker only and are non-transferable. 

To Defer

Course-takers are eligible to defer their paid enrollment to a future course if such request is received within three calendar days of the Course Launch*. Deferral requests must be sent in writing to [email protected] and are valid for an ACUE open enrollment course within 1 year of the original course start date. One deferral is permitted per course. ACUE cannot guarantee the same course in which you were registered will be offered in the future.

Bundles of 2 or more courses may be deferred in accordance with the terms above. All courses must be started within the 18-month use period. Bundles are non-transferable.

Forfeiture of Fees

Please note, course-takers forfeit 100% of the full course tuition if one of the following occurs:

• The course-taker does not enroll in another course within one year of the original course start date.
• The course-taker fails to participate in the course without notification, or if a withdrawal occurs on or after the course start date.

* Exceptions to the refund/defer policy may be made due to (1) illness or injury of a nature that significantly impacts the course-taker’s ability to continue in the course or (2) illness, injury, or death of an immediate family member (spouse/partner, parent, child, grandchild, sibling, grandparent). Please contact [email protected] to discuss next steps.

To Substitute

Course-takers that purchased a single enrollment are eligible to provide a substitute to their paid enrollment if such request is received within 3 calendar days of the course launch. Substitution requests must be sent in writing to [email protected] and are valid for the currently enrolled ACUE open enrollment course only. One substitution is permitted per paid enrollment.

Bundles of 2 or more courses purchased by an individual or an institution are eligible for substitution only if a substitute course-taker is finalized within 3 calendar days of the Course Launch. Replacement course-takers must meet all bundle requirements (previous courses completed). Substitution requests must be sent in writing to [email protected].  

ACUE reserves the right to change without notice any statements contained herein concerning, but not limited to, policies, course fees, curricula, and courses.