Frequently Asked Questions
Registration and Payment
- How do I register for CPD courses and programs?
- The link to register is on the specific program page you are interested in.
- What payment methods are acceptable?
- Available payment methods are:
- Credit Card (Mastercard or Visa)
- CPD General and Technical Points
- Campus Check
- Journal Transfer
- When is payment due?
- Within 30 days of registration.
- How do I find my SUNY Global ID?
- All registrations require that you include your SUNY Global ID. The SUNY Global ID is used to add you to the Brightspace learning management system for your course. If you do not know your SUNY Global ID check this link.
Only SUNY faculty and staff need a SUNY Global ID to access Brightspace. If you are not employed at SUNY you will be assigned a username and password to log into Brightspace. - Do you offer group registration?
- Yes, we offer group registration as an option in our registration system. If paying by credit card, this can be done in one transaction at the time of registration.
- Is there a waitlist if the course I want is full?
- Yes, you will be placed on a waitlist. If a spot opens a CPD member will contact you to ask if you would like to register or you will receive an invitation to register for the next course before it opens to the general public.
- What is the cost for programs offered through the CPD?
- Cost varies by program and is listed on each individual program page within the catalog. Discounts may be available when registering for multiple courses in the same program.
- How do I pay with CPD Points?
- SUNY campuses that are members of the CPD receive "points" as part of their membership benefits. These points function as dollars and can be used to pay for programs. To utilize CPD points for payment, first confirm that your campus is a CPD member. Reach out to your campus's designated points contact to inquire about available points and obtain authorization for their use. When registering for a program, select the option to pay with CPD points and indicate which version of points you will be paying with (general points or technical points).
- Where do I find my campus points contact?
- Find your campus points contact listed on the CPD Website. The website includes a list of SUNY member campuses along with the designated points contacts for each.
- Are there group discounts available?
- Additional discounts may be available to groups of the following size attending the same program:
- 5-9 people = 10% discount
- 10-19 people = 15% discount
- 20-29 people = 20% discount
- 30 or more = reach out to inquire about custom pricing
These discounts do not apply to all programs. Visit the program webpage to see if group discounts are eligible for that program. - Are there scholarships or other discounts available for programs and courses?
- If you work on a SUNY CPD Member Campus, check with your campus points contact to see if there are CPD points available to use for your registration fee. A small number of programs have scholarships offered by other organizations. See the specific program webpage for details or contact (315) 214-2440 or cpdinfo@suny.edu to see if this is an option for the program you are interested in.
- Do you have to take the courses in a program in a specific order?
- It depends on the program. Listed below are some of the programs that we currently offer that must be taken in a specific order:
- Academic Advising Certificate
- Online Student Support Certificate
- Data Literacy Essentials for Higher Education Professionals
- Coaching in Higher Education
- DEISJ Curriculum Certificate
- Mindful Leadership
- Can I join a course that has already started?
- You can contact a SUNY representative by phone at 1.800.342.3811 or 518.320.1888 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday. You can also reach us by email at askSUNY@suny.edu.
- What is the course cancellation policy?
- Drop the course within the first week of the course without incurring a $50.00 fee. To receive a full refund, you MUST cancel no later than the end of the first week (Friday) of the course.
The first day of week 2 (Monday) of the course, registrants may drop according to the online chart with an additional drop fee of $50.00.
Course Access
- Do I need specific software to take part in a CPD program or course?
- No specific software is needed to complete a program or course. All CPD programs and courses are delivered through Brightspace, SUNY’s learning management system, which you can access through a web browser.
- How do I log into Brightspace?
- Most SUNY faculty and staff will access Brightspace using their campus ID and password in the “Network Login” at https://mylearning.suny.edu/. If you are not employed at SUNY you will be assigned a username and password to log into Brightspace in the “Local Login” at https://mylearning.suny.edu/.
- When will I get access to my course?
- You will gain access to the course the day it starts.
- When do I need to log into my course?
- You must log in to Brightspace no later than three days after the course begins. After that, plan on accessing your course at least three times a week.
- What if I can’t see or access my course or have other issues with Brightspace?
- If you are not able to log into your course or have other technical issues in Brightspace, you will need to contact SUNY Online Support Services at 1-844-673-6786 or submit an Online Help Request to SUNY Online Support Services. Make sure to let them know the name of the course and that it is being offered by the SUNY Center for Professional Development.
- When do I need to log into my course?
- You must log in to Brightspace no later than three days after the course begins. After that, plan on accessing your course at least three times a week.
Course Policies and Expectations
- How much time should I commit to my course?
- It depends on the course but typically around 3-4 hours per week. For more information visit the specific program website.
- Are the courses self-paced, interactive, or are there any set meeting times?
- Most courses are online asynchronous (no set meeting times) and interactive with weekly deadlines for assignments. Some courses require that the participants meet for an hour or two each week over Zoom. Some courses are self-paced without weekly deadlines. To find the format of the course you are interested in, visit the program webpage.
- Will I be graded?
- You will not receive a letter or number grade. However, the instructor will let you know if you have successfully completed the course requirements.
- Will I be awarded college credit for completing a course?
- No, these are noncredit professional development courses.
- Will I receive a certificate of completion?
- If you meet the learning objectives for a course, you will receive a digital badge from Credly approximately two weeks after the course ends. The learning objectives for each program are listed on the individual program page within the catalog. You can find more details on the program's requirements here: Program Page.
- What if I need more time to complete a course?
- Those who need a few more days to complete course activities necessary to earn a completion badge might be able to at the discretion of the course instructor. Please reach out directly to the instructor to make this request.
- How long will I be able to access course materials in Brightspace?
- Course participants will be able to access the course in Brightspace for six months after it ends.
- Who do I contact if I have more questions?
- Contact the SUNY Center for Professional Development at (315) 214-2440 or cpdinfo@suny.edu