Frequently Asked Questions

All of our training and development courses are open to the public. You register for training courses. You do NOT have to apply to the university for training courses. These courses do not offer college credit.

You register for training/development courses on the training.uark.edu website through a self-registration process that begins when you click the "register" button.

You should be 18 years of age to register by yourself. Those under the age of 18 may register with the help/consent of a parent or guardian.

You do not have to apply or be admitted to the University of Arkansas to take our open enrollment courses. 

Within 24-48 hours -- about 2 business days, not counting weekends or holidays -- you should receive a welcome email from the university, then a follow-up email with next-step instructions. The follow-up email may be from the university (Blackboard Learn) or a third-party educational provider (like Ed2go or CCI).

That depends on who provides the class:

• U of A Blackboard: bbhelp@uark.edu or call 479-575-4357
• CCI:   info@edu2.com or call 877-261-1484

To be successful, you should be intellectually curious, self-motivated and organized, and have the ability to read and write in English at a 7th grade level or better. Time management skills are also essential. All course participants are expected to have email capability.

For online courses, you should have basic computer skills including the ability to type, open email attachments, download and upload files and images, and install new software on your computer. Online course participants are expected to have the following Tech Requirements: 

• Reliable access to a computer with Windows or Mac OS and minimum 8GB RAM (Courses cannot be completed on a tablet or phone)
• Reliable access to the internet
• Access to standard software such as word processing and spreadsheets, if required to complete coursework
• A webcam
• A microphone
• Speakers or headphones
• Some courses may require additional hardware or software. Please see the course page for specific information about additional tech requirements. 

Please note that some corporate firewalls may not allow the use of Blackboard, the University's online learning system. If your IT Department cannot adjust this for you, you may need to plan to complete the course on another computer or at a different location.

Some courses have prerequisites (completion of a prior entry-level course or equivalent working knowledge, minimum years of work experience, etc.). Please see the course page for specific information about any required prerequisites. 

Some non-credit courses offer a 10% discount to University of Arkansas Faculty, Staff, and Current Students.

Discount Information

Contact our office at 855-402-3300 or training@uark.edu for instructions regarding registration and payment.

The process to finalize your enrollment into a class is not automated. Within 24 business hours you should receive an email with further information about how to access and begin your class.

Please note that access to begin your class will be delayed if you register for a class on a weekend, a holiday, at the start of a U of A academic semester, when the U of A is closed for inclement weather, or when the U of A is closed for approx. 2 weeks over winter break.

While there are a lot of ways to select a professional or workforce development training program, if you are stuck on where to start, consider what your motivation is for taking the course. Below are a few motivations to consider:

• Start or Change Your Career - Our workforce training programs are designed to give you the skills you need to gain an entry-level job in on-demand careers. 
• Certification Prep/Certification – Some training programs provide test preparation for certification exams offered by industry leaders in their fields or other credentials required for certain job positions or to gain a competitive edge in the workplace.
• Recertification Credits or CEUs – Some fields require professionals to update their skills and knowledge by completing training courses. 
• Professional Development and Job Skills – Some courses allow you to build valuable workplace skills or gain marketable knowledge. Completion of these courses could help you become more efficient or effective in a specific aspect of your job, such as writing, computer software, etc.
• Build Your Resume – Various training courses provide different credentials, skills and abilities that you can share with prospective employers.
• Self-improvement – Some individuals seek personal growth, rather than a credential. 

We offer various types of courses so that you can choose the style that best meets your needs. 

• On-Demand - You can register for and begin these courses at any time. 
• Instructor-led - An Instructor will lead the course, set a schedule, and answer student questions.
  • In-person or Face-to-face - These courses take place at a set time in a classroom at our facility at the Global Campus Bentonville. 
  • Live Online - You will have the opportunity to join a session at a specific time and interact with the instructor and other participants.
  • Online - There are no set meeting times, but you can communicate with the Instructor and/or other class participants via a Discussion Board or Email. 
• Online Self-paced - These classes provide the most flexible learning environment. With self-paced learning, you must set your own schedule and be self-disciplined in following that schedule to complete the course in the allotted amount of time. Instruction may include videos, readings, etc.
• Blended or Hybrid - A combination of the course types. For example, you may complete part of the course online and then meet face-to-face to gain hands-on experience. 

Non-credit courses do not award academic or degree credit and are not reflected on an official U of A transcript. They are for professional, workforce, or personal development and are valuable because they provide practical skills to help advance your career or start a new one.

• Certificate of Completion - Issued by a course provider (in this case, U of A Professional and Workforce Development) and verifies that a participant successfully completed a course. 
• Certification Prep - A course that prepares the participate for a professional or industry certification. Participants that successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion but completing the course alone does not lead to certification. Some Certification Prep classes include an Exam Voucher in the cost of the class; others require that you register and pay for the certification exam on your own. 
• Certification - A credential that you earn (typically through passing an exam) to show that you have specific skills or knowledge. Certifications are usually tied to an occupation, technology, or industry. Certifications are typically offered by a professional organization or a company that specializes in a particular field or technology. In some instances, there may be multiple or competing organizations that offer certification on the same subject. If you are pursuing certification, you should research and evaluate the various certification options, including employer preferences in your area. 
• Recertification Credits or Continuing Education Units (CEUs) - Some certifications require professionals to update their skills and knowledge by completing training courses. The certification holder is responsible for ensuring that a training course meets the organization’s CEU requirements and reporting their completed training classes to the certification provider.

Courses offered by U of A Professional and Workforce Development are not eligible for federal financial aid programs (Pell Grants, FSEOG, Federal Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans, Perkins Loans, PLUS Loans, etc.). However, there are many funding options that may assist you in reaching your career training goals. Please see our Funding Options page for more information.

No, a form is not provided for the non-credit classes offered by Professional and Workforce Development.

Send an email to: training@uark.edu
Include your Full Name, Course Title and the Date you took the course.

Please note that Global Campus only keeps professional and workforce development records for 7 years so if your training was older than that, we may not have record of your attendance.