subject: MFT CEUs - "Units" Versus "Hours" [print this page] MFT CEUs - "Units" Versus "Hours" MFT CEUs - "Units" Versus "Hours"
This is a little tricky in defining the term "unit" in the phrase "continuing education unit" or "CEU". The various state boards will even differ on their definition. Read your state boards definition in their rules and regulations for continuing education prior to attaining continuing education from a provider. A second phrase that is used is "contact/clock hour". This is the most widely accepted term to use when defining the appropriate credit for a particular course. This article will review both terms and evaluate the methodology used for both.
"Unit" is the first term to evaluate. This is the term used when using the acronym CEU. The equation 1 CEU = 10 hours of instruction appears to be the most relied upon formula when assigning continuing education credit. This acceptance is sporadic within the mental health field. Some states say one CEU equals 10 hours of instruction, while other states will say one CEU is equal to one hour of instruction. Due to this variation in definitions, it seems most state boards have abandoned the use of the term "unit" when explaining the requirements for the licensed professionals they govern. This is why the term "contact hour" (or "clock hour", which is interchangeably used) is now the term of choice.
The definition of a "contact/clock hour" is one hour of non-stop learning or instruction. The one hour is usually accepted to mean 50 minutes. This was due to those attaining their "contact hours" at a live workshop with several classes back to back and thus needing a 10 minute break between sessions. If you attend a conference or live workshop, then defining the contact hour is simple. What is the definition of a contact/clock hour for online courses or home study courses?
People's rate of reading range widely, thus making it difficult to define to define a contact/clock hour to just time alone. How is a "contact hour" measured with this format? The NBCC has a solution, define "contact/clock hour" as a certain word count for each document of a home study course. Here is an excerpt from the NBCC website explaining this:
"2. Home Study Programs.
Home study-approved clock hours must be calculated in accordance with the following requirements.
The number of hours of credit awarded must be based on an accurate word count for text-based materials, and on an accurate word count plus listening/viewing time for mixed text and audio/visual materials. A reading speed of 66 words per minute is used to calculate the number of clock hours that may be awarded for text-based home study programs. One hour of continuing education credit may be awarded for a minimum of 4,000 words of text."
In conclusion, it is important to know what definition your state board relies upon for CEU and use that as your definition. Otherwise, you will end up with less credit then you originally thought and find yourself scrambling to make up the credit. The term contact hour or clock hour is what most state boards use, so be sure that this is the term used on your certificate of completion from any online provider you may use.
