Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete each course?
The estimated completion time for the programs is 35 to 45 hours, with up to 25 hours in streaming video lectures. With the Online Evaluating Faculty Support format you will have access to real-time, online collaboration tools, including a two-way Voice over IP online classroom, private and public text messaging, a shared whiteboard, email and virtual professor hours.

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Is there a time limit for completing the course?
Yes. You have 8, 12 or 16 weeks to complete your certificate course. See specific program information for details.

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What kind of materials will I receive?
You will receive a set of CD-ROMs and a study guide to complement the lecture materials. The CDs are provided to ensure that you will be able to enjoy the streaming video lectures and participate in online classroom activities, regardless of your Internet connection speed. To watch the lectures and the accompanying note slides, you must be connected to the Internet.

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What if I have a question or concern? Is there someone I can speak to?
Yes. You can contact a customer service representative at 800-280-9718. They are at your disposal to handle any questions or issues that may arise. You can also contact our technical support department at 800-742-1309 M-F 8:30 a.m. - 11p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (all times ET)

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Will I have assignments or exams?
Each course has one or more module assessment exams that are an "open book" set of questions you must answer online before receiving your certificate. Move at your own pace and review the lectures and study guide materials as many times as you want. The materials are yours, so take your time!

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Will my certificates state that I earned them online?
No, your certificates are the same as if you took the program in a campus-based setting.

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Why should I consider professional certification?
Certification distinguishes you and validates your expertise. For many, achieving certification becomes a personal professional goal. Not only is certification a way to test knowledge and to measure it against one's peers, but it also provides prestige to your resume with formal recognition from industry associations. Professional certification can also be an aid to career advancement and help you earn a higher salary.

Villanova University online certificate programs provide valuable skills and knowledge in a number of subject areas. Although you have the option of taking individual courses, enrolling in a master certificate program demonstrates your commitment to self improvement, your dedication to mastering your profession and becomes a public recognition of professional achievement – both within and outside of your industry.

Villanova University professional education online supports the following industry certifications, which are awarded by the associated organizations:

  • Villanova University Six Sigma Certification – CSSGB, CLSSS, CSSBB
  • National Contract Management Association (NCMA®) – CCCM, CFCM, CPCM
  • Project Management Institute (PMI®) – PMP®
  • Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI®) – PHR®/SPHR®
  • International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB®) – CTFL
  • Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA®) – Security+™
  • International Institute of Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC) ² – CISSP®, SSCP®
  • International Institute of Business Analysis(IIBA™) CBAP™
  • ROI Institute Certified ROI Professional – CRP

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What are CEUs and PDUs?
The Office of Continuing Studies at Villanova issues Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for the university’s online certificate programs. The formula for determining CEUs is 1/10 of a unit for every hour of study associated with a given course. For example, a 15-hour course would yield 1.5 CEUs. CEUs may be issued by regionally accredited universities and are not tied to any agency, e.g. PMI®. CEUs are often required by employers for tuition assistance purposes and appear on Villanova University’s Certificate of Achievement.

As a registered education provider for PMI®, Villanova is authorized to issue Professional Development Units (PDUs). PDUs are always associated with certification or re-certification and are not correlated to college credit (ACE) in any way. For example, to become certified as a PMP® certified project manager, you must earn 35 PDUs.

For more information on PDUs, visit www.pmi.org.

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Which courses are recommended for college credit with ACE?
American Council on Education (ACE) has recommended 25 Villanova University online courses: Essentials of Project Management, Project Management for IS/IT Professionals, Mastering Project Management, Advanced Strategic Project Management Practices, Maximizing Team Effectiveness, Maximizing IS/IT Team Effectiveness , PMP® Prep, Project Management Capstone, Six Sigma Green Belt, Six Sigma Black Belt, Lean Six Sigma, Essentials of Commercial Contract Management, Essentials of Government Contract Management, Advanced Contract Management, Essentials of IS Security, Mastering IS Security+, CISSP Advanced Security Management, Essentials of Business Analysis, Mastering Business Analysis, Human Resource Management, Mastering Organizational Effectiveness, Finance and Accounting for the Non-Financial Manager, Strategic Organizational Leadership, Essentials of Software Testing, ISTQB Software Testing Capstone, Essentials of ROI Methodology, Mastering ROI Methodology, and Advanced ROI Methodology.

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Will my school accept ACE
While many regionally accredited universities accept ACE credit, not all do. The fact that a university will accept ACE credit is not a guarantee that any given school is going to accept the credit in transfer. ACE-approved coursework must be evaluated by the registrar at the specific university before it will be accepted for transfer.

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When does your next session begin?
Classes start on the first of each month. Because there is no lengthy application process for these professional development programs, students can usually begin the month immediately following the month they enroll.

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What should I do to obtain ACE credits for my Villanova online certificate course?
Students wishing to earn ACE credit will be required to take a proctored exam for each course. The steps follow:

  • Step 1 - Pay the additional administrative fee of $100 for each course you desire ACE credits for.
  • Step 2 - Request a proctor selection form.
  • Step 3 - Return the completed form.
  • Step 4 - Take the exam and return the forms identified to be filled out. There is an additional one-time $35 fee that ACE will require to initiate registry.
Note: Transcripts are $35 for the first and $10 each additional. Transcripts will be sent directly to the university or employer.

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When do I have to register for the program
You can register anytime and begin the program on the first of the month. You then have 8, 12, or 16 weeks to finish each course. See specific program information for details.

PMI, PMP and the PMP logo are certification marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc., which are registered in the United States and other nations.

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