Before enrolling

Can I receive continuing education credits for your courses in my state?

The University of Minnesota is an accredited provider for ACPE and all our courses are ACPE approved.  Although our courses are generally accepted for continuing education credit in all states, it is ultimately your responsibility to find out whether our courses will be acceptable for the specific continuing education requirements of your state. If you have questions, please contact your state board.

I’m confused about dates listed for the courses. Can I only register for the course during the listed time?

Yes. It might help to think of our courses as traditional courses that only last a few weeks. You will progress through content at your own pace within some predefined deadlines (e.g. a quiz due date), but each course has a start and end date, as listed on the course description pages.

Participants must register at least one week before classes begin. This provides us with sufficient time to obtain and add logins, set up the listserv, direct participants to additional materials, work through technology issues, etc.  This also guarantees that you will get the required study materials and be able to start the course on time. Although not optimal, we will take registrations through the first two days of the course.  However, a late fee of $50 USD will apply after registration deadline.

If the course offering dates aren't convenient, you can sign up for an email reminder for the next offering.

Is there a way that I can get my employer to pay for my course?

Possibly. Many employers offer partial or complete reimbursement to staff who are enrolled in continuing education courses. For complete details, visit our Employer Reimbursement page.

Can I receive academic credit for your courses?

If your employer requires that you receive academic credit, please contact us for assistance.

I don’t feel comfortable using my credit card online. Can I still register for a course?

Yes, you can download the registration form (available at the bottom of each course description page) and fax it to our office at 612.626.4613 or call us toll free at 1.800.633.6638 (or 612.625.8616) to submit your information. If you are registering a group, we can invoice your institution for payment.

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I submitted my registration online, and haven’t received any information about how to access the course. When will I get this information?

If you submitted payment online using a credit card, you will receive a confirmation email telling you that your payment was successfully received. If you haven’t received this email, you may need to change your email settings and/or filters to allow emails from onlinece@umn.edu. You will hear from us next via that email address about 1 week before the course begins.

What is your cancellation or refund policy?

- Cancellations must be received in writing 48 hours prior to start of course, and 50% of tuition will be refunded within 30 days of receipt of request. Registrations may be transferred to another participant. Requests can be emailed to onlinece@umn.edu

- Withdrawing from the course once it has started will forfeit all tuition paid. A participant may chose to complete the course at a later date if desired. Please see the Carry Forward policy.

I’m not very computer savvy and I’m concerned about taking an online course.

Don’t worry! Our courses only require participants to have basic Internet and email skills. If you are comfortable sending and receiving emails, and understand how to access a web page (or specific URL), you should be fine in one of our courses.

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During the course

How do I log into my course?

A few days before the course begins, you will receive an email from the University of Minnesota that will include your individual login ID and password. Soon after, you will receive an email from onlinece@umn.edu that will include specific directions on how to access Vista (the web-based program used to host your 'virtual classroom') and your course materials.

I haven’t received any course information, and the course is starting soon! What should I do?

First, please check that your junk e-mail settings are set to allow emails from onlinece@umn.edu. You should start receiving emails from that address about one week before the course begins. If you have checked your junk mail and still have not received any correspondence from us, please contact us so that we can verify your email address with our records.

Can I receive course information at more than one e-mail address?

Sure! Simply e-mail your course manager with your name and list all emails you would like to use to receive information.

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I’m having problems accessing some of my course materials.

First, make sure that you’ve downloaded all the necessary plug-ins (free programs that install on your computer so you can view different media types). If you’re still having problems, check our tech support page.

What happens if I fall behind in my coursework?

If scheduling conflicts occur and you are unable to complete a quiz or assignment according to the course deadlines, we are willing to make accommodations so that you can still complete the course. We ask that you notify your course manager as soon as you notice the issue by completing the Extension Request Form available online or within your course.

Extension Policy

The Continuing Pharmacy Education Office encourages all participants to complete coursework once started. Our objective is to work with people to allow them to make the most of the learning experience. If the participant has run into unexpected personal, family or work related problems, extensions for assignments and quizzes may be requested. Whenever possible, we want participants to have the time to learn the materials, rather than rushing through just to finish.
 
Extensions are requested by filling out an Extension Request Form and submitting it online. Extensions are approved by the Course Coordinator. If a feasible extension agreement cannot be reached, the Course Coordinator may suggest that the participant complete the course at a later offering.  Participants may also request completion at a later offering. These situations are considered carry forwards.

Carry Forward Policy

In cases where it becomes more convenient to complete a course at the next offering, participants are charged a $50 USD carry forward fee. This reserves their spot in the next course and pays for their access for another offering. This fee will be assessed before the next offering of the course. 

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After course completion

My state board requires that my continuing education courses be submitted. Do you send my records to the state board of pharmacy, or must I?

You are responsible for all interactions with your state board. If you have questions, please contact us.

Can I request additional copies of my Statement of Credit?

Yes. We can issue you a duplicate statement, which will be marked as a “Duplicate.”

Will I be able to access course materials after the course ends?

The course materials are available to you 24/7 during the course offering. Because we need to close the site and prepare for the next class to begin, you will be unable to access the materials once the course has finished.

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