CEA Tutorial Section 10: Individual Learning Experiences: Self-Study and Independent Study Courses

Resources

What is self-study?
What are methods to determine the ASHA CEU amount for individual (self-study) courses?
How do I conduct a pilot study?
How do I submit a self-study course for registration?
What is an independent study?
Can all ASHA Approved CE Providers oversee independent studies?
Closing comments

Previous sections discussed general procedures for registering and reporting on courses offered for ASHA CEUs. Here, we review two types of courses that are categorized as "individual learning experiences": self-study and independent study. These courses have some special requirements that are detailed either in the text below or in the resource links provided. In addition, there are some closing comments with some important reminders and an opportunity to rate the tutorial.

What is a self-study?

A self-study is a course designed by the Provider that allows participants to learn at their own pace. The content is the same for all learners. The self-study delivery method can take many forms (i.e., CD-ROM, written material, online course, DVD, audiotape, journal). Participants work individually and usually do not interact with an instructor or with other participants.

Registered self-studies are valid for a 5-year period. After 5 years, the course needs to be re-registered under a different course number. Re-registration requires submittal of full registration materials with all required attachments.

What are methods to determine the ASHA CEU amount for individual (self-study) courses?

You may use one or more of these methods to determine the total time spent completing course content. If you are unsure how to calculate the ASHA CEU total based on these methods, please contact your CE Provider Manager.

Established word count — Applying a word count formula that has been previously established through a pilot study. Use for self-study or blended content that is read by course participants,
Inherited ASHA CEUs — Using the ASHA CEU amount from identical course content that was previously registered. Use for self-study or blended content.
Pilot Study — Using most commonly to determine the ASHA CEU amount when assessments/tests or project completion time is included as part of the course content. Submitting a time study conducted with at least 10 learners who represent the target audience for the course that can be documented the ASHA CEU Calculation Worksheet [XLS]. Use for self-study or blended content
Run Time — Using the duration calculated for the course’s video or audio content. Use for self-study or blended.
Word Count — Applying ASHA's 100 word-per-minute formula. The word count can include course content, charts and graphs, test question-and-answer options, and program evaluation questions. See the first tab of the ASHA CEU Calculation Worksheets [XLS] for further information. Use for self-study or blended content.
Other — This option is used to explain how the ASHA CEU amount was determined aside from the options above. Use for self-study or blended content.

How do I conduct a pilot study?

Choose at least 10 participants from the course's target audience.
Design a participant time log for pilot participants to track, in minutes, how long they spend on each component of the course.
Provide each of these 10 pilot participants with a complete copy of any pertinent materials, including the course product, instructions, participant time log, learning assessment, and program evaluation.
Explain the purpose of the pilot study to the participants: to establish the typical time it takes a learner to complete the course.
Establish a date by which participants must submit their time logs to you.

For more information, please see the Pilot Study Orientation.

How do I submit a self-study course for ASHA CEU registration?

Individual course registrations differ from group course registrations; please note the following:

Course is valid for 5 years from the first offering when you select “the earliest date learners can access the course” and “the last date learners can access the course” for a self-study, the CE Provider Portal will automatically create monthly self-study offerings between the dates you indicate (within the course’s validity dates). This means participants must be reported monthly, and you cannot wait until the end of the year to do all of your reporting. If your self-study course is also a cooperative offering, cooperative fees will be calculated for each of the monthly offerings accordingly.
If the course requires a Pilot Study. Use the “Registration and Cancellation” section of the CE Provider Portal to submit all of the usual registration information and the ASHA CEU Calculation Worksheet [XLS].
Self-study registrations must be received at ASHA CE at least 15 days in advance of the earliest date learners can access the course. Include all the usual registration forms and attachments, and the pilot study report in the ASHA CEU Calculation Worksheet (if needed).

Contact your provider manager for further assistance.

What is an independent study?

An independent study (IS) is an educational experience designed by the participating learner to enhance skills and knowledge in an area relevant to communication sciences and disorders. It provides an opportunity for the participant to design individualized learning experiences to meet specific learning needs. Participants may earn up to a maximum of 2.0 ASHA continuing education units (CEUs) for a single IS course. Multiple IS courses can be developed from the same learning activity, provided that the learning outcomes and the acquisition of new skills and knowledge are different for each IS course.

The IS activity is proposed by the participant and is reviewed, monitored, and approved by the Continuing Education Administrator (CEA). ASHA requires that the participant and CEA complete the Independent Study (IS) Participant Worksheet [PDF] prior to the start of the IS course. The participant keeps the worksheet as a study guide. The CEA should work closely with the individual to ensure that the experience will meet all Continuing Education Board (CEB) requirements.

After the IS course is completed, the CEA and participant should meet again so that the participant can provide proof of satisfactory course completion, as previously agreed upon in the IS Participant Worksheet.

Within 45 days of completion of the IS course, the CEA should submit the IS course to ASHA through the Registration and Cancellation section of the CE Provider Portal. Remember to include the IS time log [PDF] or any other documentation that is required to complete the coursework.

There is a separate online orientation to answer questions about the IS process. Here are resource links for both the Independent Study Participant Worksheet [PDF] and the Independent Study Orientation.

Can all ASHA Approved CE Providers oversee independent studies?

ASHA Approved CE Providers must be approved by ASHA Continuing Education (ASHA CE) to offer independent study courses. When your organization initially applied to become a Provider, there was an option in that same application to apply for the "Independent Study" designation.

To check on your IS status, go to Find ASHA Approved CE Providers on the ASHA website. Independent Study Providers are listed separately in alphabetical order. Additionally, they are also identified by an orange "Independent Study" tag in the Providers by State listing. If your organization does not currently have this designation, and you would like to offer this option, You can submit an Application to be an Independent Study Provider There is no additional fee.

Closing comments

Thank you for participating in this tutorial. Feel free to review any section as needed. This tutorial does not cover every policy or procedure contained in the Policies and Standards for ASHA Approved Providers. For further assistance with any of the topics mentioned in the tutorial, please contact your provider manager.

We appreciate your commitment to provide quality continuing education for speech-language pathologists and audiologists. We look forward to working with you.

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