Licensed professionals of all kinds have to take continuing education units (or CEUs) in order to maintain their licenses; for certain professions, it’s just a part of life. With more options than ever for completing everyday tasks online, it’s no surprise that CEU courses are also available online. The question is, which would be better for you – online or in-person? Increasing numbers of people are deciding to choose the online versions of these courses, but that doesn’t necessarily make them the best choice for everyone.
Some people are better served by attending accredited seminars or college courses, while others opt for online platforms like Nursing CE Central. If you aren’t sure what you think yet, just keep reading – you may get some help in making up your mind.
Pros of completing CEUs online
You’re probably already familiar with the usual arguments. From ordering fast food to having work meetings, doing it online often represents the more convenient, efficient option. Naturally, that also applies to many aspects of taking continuing education courses online.
- Some platforms are designed to help you choose the right courses based on industry or state requirements
Depending on the platform you choose, you may be able to skip a lot of the research and dive straight into studying. Picking the right CEUs can be tricky, since requirements often vary by state. With something telling you exactly which courses you should and shouldn’t pick, though, your job is made a lot easier. You may also be able to track your progress as you complete more contact hours, including courses that cover specific categories.
- You could be able to access better study materials
In-person classes have a pretty standard template: you attend the lectures, you read the textbooks, and you complete the assignments. Online classes, on the other hand, come with a lot more flexibility in how the coursework is presented. In addition to the lectures and textbooks, you could also have access to webinars, videos, extra readings, and other study materials to give you a more in-depth understanding of what you’re studying. This also caters to a wider variety of learning styles compared to traditional classroom settings.
- The promise of a final assessment may give you more motivation
A lot of classroom-based CEU courses just require you to show up; there isn’t much focus on testing to prove that you’ve absorbed the material. With online CEU courses, however, assessments are more common. This means that once you’ve completed a module (or the entire course), you can take an assessment and feel confident that you really do have everything down.
- You’ll have greater access to the courses you want
Do you have your eye on a CEU course being offered on the other side of the country? If it’s being offered online, you can register for it. Are you working against a deadline, and you need a relevant course that’s available to start immediately? Now you can choose from courses in multiple states, instead of the ones that are only available in your area.
- Online CEU courses are more convenient
Not only do you not have to travel for courses on the other side of the country; with online classes, you don’t even have to hop into the car for courses on the other side of town. You’ll save time getting to and from class, and you can even structure your study schedule around other work and personal responsibilities. No need to take off from work to attend class, or clear your weekends for intensive seminars. It can happen on your time, and from your home.
- Online courses are more economical
If you’re comparing tuition expenses, there might not be a huge savings. That being said, other associated costs add up quickly. If you’re taking CEU courses online, you won’t have to pay for gas, parking, tolls, public transport, a babysitter, or any of the other expenses that are incurred as a result of regular travel. One thing to keep in mind, though: you’ll be able to find inexpensive CEUs, but you’ll probably get what you pay for. If you just want to tick the regulatory boxes, go for the cheap and easy ones. If you want courses that’ll push you closer to your professional goals, consider shelling out a bit more for higher-caliber courses.
Cons of completing CEUs online
As many advantages as there are for taking online CEU courses, they simply aren’t for everyone. Here are a few reasons why an online course may not be the best choice:
- You’ll have fewer opportunities to network with your peers
Classroom settings can provide valuable opportunities to connect with fellow professionals, but you’ll miss out on most of that if you’re taking an online course. It’s usually still possible to communicate with those you’re taking the course with, but it won’t be as organic or spontaneous.
- The responsibility of staying focused will be on you
Say what you will about the monotony of classroom environments – they still have a lot more potential to be interesting than a computer screen that happens to be displaying learning materials. With an online class, you’re responsible for directing your attention to something that’s fairly static; that takes consistency and willpower.
- Online learning isn’t well suited for all topics
When you’re studying a discipline that requires a lot of hands-on work, an online learning environment could be inadequate. If you have to practice techniques or processes as part of your job, an online course may not be able to teach you what you need to know. It would also distance you from any feedback or guidance your instructor could provide, even if you were able to demonstrate your technique from home.
The takeaway
Taking online CEU courses can absolutely have benefits – within certain limits, of course. You just have to know what kind of learning environment works best with your learning style, and determine if the study material is compatible with an online format. Once you’ve figured that out, you should be able to make the most productive choice.
