Professional Education Registration & Policies

Policies

The following policies apply to professional education courses and students at the University of Richmond School of Professional & Continuing Studies.

Alumni Discount

University of Richmond alumni with a credit-bearing certificate, associate, baccalaureate, post-baccalaureate or advanced degree are entitled to a 10% discount on one noncredit class per semester. The discount may not be used by a spouse, a partner, or dependents of alumni. Online courses offered by SPCS partners are not eligible for the University of Richmond alumni discount. The alumni discount may not be used in conjunction with early registration pricing.

Attendance

Unless otherwise specified by the class, certificate program, seminar, or workshop syllabus or attendance policy, students enrolled in noncredit School of Professional and Continuing Studies classes, certificate programs, seminars, or workshops must attend at least 75 percent of the class meetings — regardless of the reason for absence — to be eligible to receive credit for completing the class, program, seminar, or workshop.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth by the University of Richmond’s School of Professional & Continuing Studies Professional Education programs:

  • Refund Eligibility: Registrants who find themselves unable to participate in a course for which they have enrolled may be eligible for a refund. Written notification is required for such a request using the Withdrawal Request form. A full refund, less a $25 administrative fee, will be granted for notifications received 10 or more days prior to the commencement of the course. No refund will be available for notifications received within a 0-9 day window of the course starting.
  • Transfer Provisions: Registrants desiring to transfer their enrollment to an alternate course or session must formally request such a transfer in writing using the Withdrawal Request form no less than one full business day before the start of the originally registered course. The School of Professional and Continuing Studies reserves the right to assess the feasibility of such transfers on a case-by-case basis.
  • Exceptions & Limitations: Please be advised that refunds will categorically be denied in instances where course materials have been procured on the registrant’s behalf or if online course access has been initiated. Boot camps offered in partnership with 2U/edX are subject to a non-refundable $1,000 deposit. Payments beyond the deposit may be refunded within one week of the start date of the course. For more information, contact ProfEd@richmond.edu.

This policy has been established in the interest of maintaining administrative coherence and financial integrity. The University of Richmond’s School of Professional & Continuing Studies appreciates your adherence to these stipulations and remains committed to delivering quality educational experiences.

Disability Adherance

The School of Professional & Continuing Studies Professional Education team strives to make all aspects of programming inclusive and accessible for our students. However, despite advanced planning and considerations, we understand that we may not be able to anticipate every scenario and/or student’s needs. If you anticipate or know you will need accommodations in order to have equal access to our programming, we are happy to collaborate with you to develop a plan to ensure you can experience our program to the fullest. Please contact us at ProfEd@richmond.edu to share any known/anticipated accommodation needs so that we can prepare accommodations as necessary.

Inclusive Community Statement

The University of Richmond is committed to building an inclusive community. More information and resources for members of the campus community are available via the Student Center for Equity & Inclusion and the Office for Institutional Equity & Inclusion.

Online Partnership Disclosure

The University of Richmond School of Professional & Continuing Studies collaborates with several online providers to offer specialized courses and programs. We proudly associate with these partners to bring enriched educational content to all our students.

Registration for courses offered through our online partnerships can be completed either through through online partner portals (Ed2go & Dalton) or through our shopping cart (UX/UI Institute, MindEdge, 2U/edX, Digital Marketing Institute). Registration links for all partner courses can be accessed through our Professional Education areas of study pages.

Payment

Payment is due in full at the time of registration. Exceptions may be granted upon request of the applicable Program Manager, so long as payment is received in full by the start of the course. For application programs, payment is due in full by orientation. Please note that non-refundable deposits may apply.

Student Conduct

As valued members of our learning community, we want to affirm our commitment to provide an environment that is welcoming to all individuals, where every individual is treated with dignity and respect.

At SPCS, our mission, vision, and values guide us in creating a transformative and collaborative learning experience for all our students. We encourage you to embrace our shared values of Care, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence, Innovation, Integrity, Learning, and Responsiveness, as they form the foundation of our community's culture and interactions. As a learning community that values diversity and ethical reasoning, we seek to promote compassion, flexibility, and academic rigor in our teaching and learning practices.

As students in one of our programs, courses, or workshops, you have agreed to adhere to our Standards of Student Conduct which you must review carefully before taking a course.

If you witness or experience any act that may constitute a violation of the Standards of Student Conduct, you may use the University’s Student Complaint Form to report your concerns. The University takes all complaints seriously, and appropriate actions will be taken to address any violations.

As members of the SPCS community, help us work together to uphold our values and principles, ensuring that every individual feels respected and supported. Should you have any questions about our policies or procedures, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Purpose and Scope

This policy outlines the procedures for immediate action to be taken in cases of student misconduct within the SPCS programs. It supplements the University’s Standards of Student Conduct, specifically tailored for short-term, intensive programs such as week-long institutes. It applies to all students enrolled in SPCS Professional Education (noncredit) programs.

Grounds for Immediate Action

Immediate action may be taken in cases where a student’s behavior:

  • Poses a direct threat to the safety or well-being of any member of the university community.
  • Significantly disrupts the educational or administrative processes of the program.
  • Involves intoxication or substance abuse during program activities.
  • Adversely reflects upon the reputation or integrity of the University of Richmond, including behavior that undermines the university’s mission, values, or public image.
Procedures
  • Initial Assessment: If an instructor or administrator observes conduct that may warrant immediate action, the student may be temporarily removed from the program activities. This decision is made by the program manager or designated SPCS administrator.
  • Notification: The student will be informed in writing (via email) of the temporary removal and the reasons for this action. This notification should occur as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of the removal.
Review and Resolution
  • Review Meeting: A review meeting should be arranged within two business days of the temporary removal. The student will have the opportunity to present their side of the story.
  • Decision: Based on the review meeting, a decision will be made by the SPCS administration regarding continuation of the temporary removal, possible reinstatement with or without conditions., and/or referral to the standard University disciplinary process for further action.

Tuition Remission

Full-time University of Richmond employees and their dependents may be eligible for Tuition Remission (TR), a benefit managed by UR Human Resources. Under this benefit you are eligible to receive up to five credits to be used towards non-credit offerings per calendar year. Classes costing above $5,000 require all 5 TR credits and supervisor approval.

Using Tuition Remission for Online Partner Classes

UR employees using tuition remission benefits for online partner registrations should submit both of the following completed forms to Anna Kay Travis, Registration Coordinator (atravis@richmond.edu or fax 804-289-8138):

If use of tuition remission benefits for registration is approved, SPCS will register you in the partner course requested and provide login information for the online learning system. You will not need to submit payment.

Course Logistics

Class Location

Most courses are held on the University of Richmond campus, but some are held at local businesses. Exact locations are sent to the participant in a confirmation via email before the course begins.

Parking on Campus

There is no fee for community students to park on campus. When you register for a classroom-based course, Parking Services will send you a map and parking decal along with instructions about parking. The parking decal is valid for the current academic year. Please keep the pass and reuse it for any additional classes that you may take later in the year.

If you do not receive your decal prior to class, please contact ProfEd@richmond.edu. You may also download a campus map showing the Commuter parking areas. If you lose your decal and need to request a replacement, please contact Parking Services directly at parking@richmond.edu or (804) 289-8703. The Parking Services office is located on the 1st floor of the Special Programs Building.

Inclement Weather

In the event of inclement weather, call the University’s inclement weather hotline at (804) 289-8760 or visit the Emergency Alerts page.

Communication

The University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies (SPCS) is committed to safeguarding the privacy and confidentiality of its students’ personal information, including email addresses. To this end, the following practices must be observed:

Confidentiality of Student Email Addresses

  • All faculty, staff, and students must treat student email addresses as confidential information and must not disclose or share them with any external individuals, organizations, or third parties, except as permitted by law or university policies.
  • Student email addresses must not be used for any purposes other than official academic and administrative communications related to the students’ education and university-related matters.

Blind Copy Requirement

  • When sending emails to multiple recipients that include students, all faculty and staff members must utilize the “blind copy” (BCC) feature to protect the privacy of student email addresses. This ensures that the addresses of other recipients remain hidden from view.
  • The use of “blind copy” helps prevent unintentional disclosure of email addresses and reduces the risk of potential privacy breaches.

Student Consent

  • Even with explicit consent from students, faculty, staff, and students are not permitted to share or disclose student email addresses to other students or external parties.

Data Security Measures

  • Faculty and staff members are responsible for taking appropriate measures to protect student email addresses from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse.
  • Electronic devices and systems that store or process student email addresses must be password-protected and encrypted in accordance with university data security policies.
  • If faculty or staff members suspect or become aware of a potential data breach or unauthorized access to student email addresses, they must immediately report it to the appropriate university authorities.

Recording Synchronous Classes

The University of Richmond School of Professional & Continuing Studies values live participation and interaction as foundational components of the learning experience in synchronous classes. Recording these sessions can potentially reduce engagement, infringe on privacy, and impact the program's quality and effectiveness. Therefore, as a general rule, sessions will not be recorded or made available for asynchronous viewing. Under exceptional circumstances, recording of sessions may be permitted. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to, serious illness, family emergencies, or significant timezone differences that prevent live attendance.

Procedure for Requesting an Exception

  • Written Request: Students must submit a written request for recording exceptions to the designated Program Manager and Instructor at least 24 hours in advance of the class. This request should include the reason for the inability to participate live and specify the session(s) to be recorded.
  • Approval Process: The Program Manager, in consultation with the Instructor, will review the request on a case-by-case basis. Approval will be granted only under conditions deemed valid and unavoidable.
  • Access to Recordings: Approved recordings will be made available through a secure platform for a limited time, as determined by the Program Manager. Downloading recorded sessions will not be permitted.

Limitations and Responsibilities

  • Use of Recordings: Recordings are for personal use only and are not to be shared or distributed.
  • Impact on Attendance Requirement: The availability of recordings will not substitute for active participation. Attendance requirements remain in effect.
  • Protection of Intellectual Property: Recorded sessions are the property of the University of Richmond SPCS. Unauthorized distribution or use of these materials is prohibited.

Discretionary Exceptions

Program Managers retain the discretion to make exceptions to this policy beyond those explicitly outlined above.

Course Registration

Registration Issues

If you encounter problems when applying a discount or any other errors when registering for a course, please contact Anna Kay Travis, Registration and Operations Coordinator, at atravis@richmond.edu or (804) 287-6676.

Early Registration

Some programs or events may be eligible for early registration pricing. Early registration pricing may not be used in conjunction with any other discount, including but not limited to alumni discounts or tuition remission.

Registration Deadline

Although we strive to leave courses available for registration until the course start date, it is extremely important that you register as soon as possible before the start of the course. Registration deadlines have been put in place to allow for an accurate enrollment count needed for planning classroom requirements, course materials, and food or travel logistics related to the class. If you submit your registration after the deadline, we cannot guarantee that you will receive a space in the course.

Additional Notices

Non-discrimination

Every University staff member, faculty member and student (part- or full-time) has the right to work and study in an environment free from discrimination and harassment and should be treated with dignity and respect.

The University prohibits discrimination and harassment against applicants, students, faculty or staff on the basis of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, status as a veteran or any classification protected by local, state or federal law. Any inquiries regarding the University’s policies in these areas should be directed to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, University of Richmond, VA 23173, telephone (804) 289-8032.

Accreditation

The University of Richmond is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the associate, baccalaureate, master and juris doctor degrees. The several colleges and schools of the University award no degrees individually. The University of Richmond confers all degrees for work done in any one of the schools. All programs accreditations are available in the current University of Richmond catalog.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure

The University Police Department, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure Act, publishes an annual report outlining its policies, functions, campus safety plans, prevention techniques, and tabulated statistics for the most recent three year period. For a copy of the Department’s Annual Report, call (804) 289-8715, write the University of Richmond Police Department, ATTN: Jeanne Clery Crime Statistician, Special Programs Building, 490 Westhampton Way, University of Richmond, VA 23173 or access the report online at police.richmond.edu/reporting.

Continuing Education Units

Many professional education courses qualify for CEUs (Continuing Education Units). One Continuing Education Unit represents ten (10) contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education program. CEUs are measured as whole and fractional units. For example, a course that meets for fifteen hours would be eligible for 1.5 CEUs. A permanent record of your CEUs is maintained by the Office of the University Registrar and is available upon request by completing a Noncredit Transcript Request Form.