ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS  

ECTS requires that a student graduate from a recognized high school or have a General Equivalency Diploma (GED.), complete an admissions enrollment form, complete and sign an enrollment agreement or certificate course application.  Students should possess a reading level commensurate with that of the average high school graduate. 
Students seeking the High School Diploma should refer to the requirements found in the High School material using the "Diploma Link".

APPLICATION PROCEDURE 

To apply for enrollment in a "Diploma Program" , an application form (found in the download section), available at the school, mailed upon request or downloaded from our web site (www.ectschool.com), must be completed and submitted with the deposit of $150.00.

To apply for enrollment in a "Certificate Course" , the course application form (found in the download section), available at the school, mailed upon request or downloaded from our web site (www.ectschool.com), must be completed and submitted with the full payment of $189.00 plus $14.00 shipping and handling.
 

Educational Correspondence Training School
3520 West 26th Street, 
Erie, Pennsylvania, 16506. 

GRADING SYSTEM & GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 

Courses will be evaluated through a series of lesson tests as described in the Study Guide for each course of study. Tests will consist of True/False, Fill-in Blank - Matching and some essay questions. Grading policies are established as follows:

Grade Pt. Value grade:

A 92 - 100% 4.0
B 81 - 91% 3.0
C 75 - 80% 2.0
D 70 - 74% 1.0
F Below 70% 0


When the course work is completed, a grade will be issued. The student's record will be reviewed by their advisor, to determine whether he / she is making satisfactory progress when the course work has been completed.

To be eligible for graduation, a student must successfully complete all courses and lessons designated in his / her curriculum, having maintained a passing grade in all course work.

CANCELLATION / TERMINATION POLICY 

Educational Correspondence Training School will not cancel any course or program once the signed enrollment agreement is received and accepted by all parties. If a student is terminated as a result of inadequate Academic Progress as explained, the termination will be made in writing by the school explaining the reasons for such termination. Students may file an appeal with the Director of the Educational Correspondence Training School.

If it is found that any other person other than the students submitted any test or research paper, the student will be terminated immediately and will not be permitted to take any further courses from the Educational Correspondence Training School. 
Refunds for terminations will be calculated using the provisions in the Withdrawal and Refund Policies of ECTS.

WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICY

Educational Correspondence Training School charges tuition and fees for each Program of Study. All withdrawn or terminated students that have a tuition obligation to the school will be processed in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, State Board of Private Licensed School, 22 Pa Code, ''73.132 - 73.137 in the following manner: The school shall pay any refund due within 30 days after the date of withdrawal if the student officially withdraws or is dismissed. Written notification of withdrawal is not a required condition for making refunds

Refunds will be made on the following schedules:

Cancellation Period - A student canceling before the 7th calendar day following the date of enrollment (date which the student signed the enrollment agreement) but prior to receipt by the school of the first completed home study lesson, all monies paid to the school shall be refunded.

After the Cancellation Period - After the cancellation period had passed, but before you have submitted any lessons to the school for correction, you will be charged a "registration fee" of 15% of the total program tuition or $150.00, which ever is less.

After Submission of First Lesson - If a student enrolls and withdraws or is discontinued after submission of the first completed lesson, but prior to the completion of the program, minimum refunds will be calculated as follows: 

Students will be assessed the "registration fee" as explained above in the "After the Cancellation Period" paragraph and then

• Up to and including completion of the first 10% of the program, you are obligated for 10% of the total tuition
• Beyond completion of 10% of the program and up to and including completion of 25% of the program, you are obligated for 25% of the total tuition. 
• Beyond completion of 25% of the program and up to and including completion of 50% of the program, you are obligated for 50% of the total tuition
• Beyond completion of 50% of the program, you are obligated for the full tuition.

The percentage of the program completed is determined by comparing the number of completed lessons received for correction services by the school to the total number of lessons in the program. If the student has paid for the program using Master Card or Visa, cash refunds are not available. The school will credit the appropriate Master Card or Visa account. 

DATE OF DETERMINATION

The date of determination of termination, for refund purposes, will be the date that the Educational Correspondence Training School receives the request of cancellation or withdrawal from the program. Withdrawals and cancellations do not need to be in writing. The date of determination may also be the date which the student is terminated, in writing, by the Educational Correspondence Training School. Termination of a student by the Educational Correspondence Training School may occur for any of the following reasons:

• It is found that another person is completing the students lessons.
  The student has failed to make tuition payments if the tuition installment payment option has been elected.
• The student fails to maintain academic progress as described in the Academic Progress section of the school catalog.

All refunds will be made within thirty days (30 days) of the students last day of enrollment or from the date of termination.

EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

The Educational Correspondence Training School neither guarantees nor provides employment assistance. 

REPETITION OF COURSES

If it is necessary for a student to repeat a course, the second grade will replace the first grade. The second grade will be used in determining the grade-point average. Repeated courses will be included in the calculation for credit hours earned / attempted for satisfactory progress. The student will be not be financially responsible for repeating a course, however, if the second attempt also results in a failing grade the student will be charged a rate of $150.00 per additional attempt. After a second failure, another textbook may be assigned. Students who fail a course may move onto the next sequence of lessons, but the failed course must be brought to a passing grade to meet the graduation requirements.

DISASTER CLAUSE

In the event of natural disasters affecting operations (i.e. fire, flood, hurricane, tornado, etc.) the school reserves the right to suspend training for a period not to exceed 90 days, providing the school evidences positive effectiveness every 30 days to reactivate the school.

DEFINITION OF PROGRAMS AND COURSES

Programs are a series of lessons grouped into specific courses, which will lead to either a certificate or a diploma.. Programs are designed to lead the student to a new career opportunity, although the Educational Correspondence Training School does not guarantee employment after completing the desired program.

Courses are individual courses that a student may wish to take for many reasons. Students taking a course, which also may be one found within a program, will receive a “certificate of completion” upon successfully passing the particular course. 

DEFINITION OF LESSONS

Course are listed generally by title and then by the number of lessons. Each course has specific chapters of study and a corresponding test. The individual chapters and test are classified as lessons. 

DEFINITION OF THE CLOCK HOUR

The clock hour consists of 50 minutes of active course activity. Each course offered by the Educational Correspondence Training School is calculated to take the equivalent of 45 - 60 clock hours (or 3 to 4 credit hours) to complete. 

DEFINITION OF THE CREDIT HOUR

The credit hour is the equivalent of 15 clock hours.

RE-ENTRY PROCEDURE

• A student must apply for re-admittance to the school after being withdrawn or dismissed. The re-admittance policy is as follows:
• The student must complete a new Application for Admission. The student must re-enroll under the current tuition / fee and program requirements.
• The student must obtain permission from the School Director to re-enroll.
• The School Director determine what previously completed courses from ECTS will be accepted to the original or new program of study.
• The student must consult with the Business Office to verify all financial obligations to the  school have been met. If the student has been out of school for more than one year, a re-entry  fee of $150.00 must be paid.
  

CURRICULUM CHANGES

ECTS may from time to time have to adjust curricula to stay abreast of the requirements of the business community at all times. This entails periodic revision to the courses and programs offered by the school. Any modification to the original enrollment agreement will be made in writing and agreed to and signed by both the student and the school.

CREDIT FOR PREVIOUS EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Appropriate tuition credit may be given for comparable previous education and training and the training period will be shortened accordingly upon review of academic transcripts from another institution. The acceptance of credits from a previous education institution must be completed prior to the start of the training program.

Credits transferred into ECTS must be completed with a grade of a C or better. The maximum number of credits transferable into ECTS are:

Two Year Program - 9 Credits
One Year Program - 4 Credit

All transfer credits are assessed on a course-by-course basis. Transferability of credits to ECTS may be affected by the age of the credits and by the program to which related technology has changed since the student earned the credits. All courses challenged by a student must be completed prior to the start of the program.

ACADEMIC PROGRESS/PROGRAM COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS

The student's progress will be evaluated at regular intervals and he / she will be given a progress report at the end of each three-month period. Records will reflect the progress attained in all phases of the course and will be kept in each student's file permanently at ECTS, available to the student upon request. A student must attain a 70% average. The student who does not achieve a 70% average will be put on “academic notice” for the next course and must obtain an accumulative 70% average in the next course after receiving such “academic notice”. Failure to correct a grade deficiencies may result in termination.

Maximum time for course completions is set at 8 weeks. Based upon this 8 week allocation, the maximum time for program completion is calculated from the date of enrollment by multiplying the number of courses by the 8 week time frame. (For example: Police Science = 15 courses X 8 weeks per course = 120 weeks to complete the entire program). In the event that the maximum time is exceeded and no extensions have been granted by the Educational Correspondence Training School, the student will not be issued a diploma, and the student will be terminated from the program. If a student is terminated for failing to complete the program within the maximum time, he or she may reapply as a new student and they will be given credit for the previous course work if the program requirements have not changed since their initial entry into the program. If the program requirements have changed since their initial entry into the school, the student must meet the new requirements. 

Courses are identified within each of the Diploma Program Descriptions, and all lessons associated with the course must be completed within the allotted time frame. If the course is not completed within the time frame allotted, and no extensions have been requested by the student, ECTS will notify the student, in writing, that the course must be completed on a specific date. After the date has expired and the course has not been completed and received by the school and no extension requests have been made by the student and granted by the school, it will be deemed that the student has withdrawn, and ECTS will then terminate the student’s enrollment. Any refunds or tuition outstanding will be determined by the enrollment agreement and refund policies of the Educational Correspondence Training School.

Extensions of time may be granted on an individual basis. The request for an extension of course submission must be made in writing to the student's advisor or the Academic Dean. The request must at a minimum state the following: the reason for the request and the time for course completion and submission. Approvals or denials will be made in writing to the student. If the course is not completed within allotted time, the student will receive a failing grade, and must retake the course

ECTS AND IACET

The Educational Correspondence Training School (ECTS) has been reviewed and approved as an Authorized Provider of continuing education and training programs by The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). This category of approval reflects ECTS’ attention to quality criteria in all phases of planning and delivery of its continuing education programs.

According to the Association’s Criteria and Guidelines, IACET maintains a unique and highly respected position in the field of continuing education and training. Its broad membership base contains a wealth of ideas and experience that cannot be found in any one profession. The Association’s activities in identifying and disseminating effective teaching and learning practices for adults have led to the wide scale adoption of the CEU, principles of good practice, assessment and evaluation methods. Many professions, associations, and licensing boards utilize these criteria and principles to review and enhance their professional development programs.

According to the Association’s Publication, The Continuing Education Unit Criteria and Guidelines (August 2000), “the two most common uses of a CEU are: 1. to supply an employer or prospective employer with information on continuing education and training experiences pertinent to an occupational competence, and 2. to provide documentation to registration boards, certification bodies, or professional and occupational societies of continuing education undertaken to maintain or increase professional competence..."

ECTS awards CEU for participation in most courses. This is based upon ten contact hours per unit. Upon completion of the course, each participant will be presented with a certificate on which CEU are printed as a permanent record.

THE CEU .

The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a uniform unit of measurement to record participation in non-credit academic, professional and vocational programs.

It is based upon attendance at short courses and other non-credit continuing educational programs sponsored by organizations following the guidelines established by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) on the CEU.

It is intended to serve a variety of interests in non-credit continuing education including both public and private organizations and is used without regard to age, educational background, course subject matter, program format or method of instruction. 
The CEU serves a number of purposes:
• a uniform unit of measure for continuing education and training
• a nationally recognized unit of measure
• a concept that can be used by different sponsors
• a concept useful in a variety of learning formats
• criteria by which the quality of learning activities are judged
• a systematic means for program development and delivery
• criteria by which educational sponsors are evaluated
• a requirement for the documentation of learning experiences 

An organization which follows the guidelines of the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) may award CEU. 

DEFINITIONS

One Continuing Education Unit is defined as: 10 contact hours of participation, in an organized continuing education experience, under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and under qualified instruction.

For organizations to award CEU, they must follow the criteria and guidelines developed by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). A copy of these guidelines may be purchased from the International Association for Continuing Education and Training, 1620 I Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. 
The CEU is not . . .

• to be used or awarded for any program or course carrying any academic credit at any level.
• The CEU is not to be awarded for activities such as attendance at orientation, internal organization, on-the-job methods, employee procedures or rights and other such company-specific programs regardless of their educational merit.
• Meetings dealing with policy making, committee activity, delegate assemblies, conferences, professional societies or other such activities do not qualify for the CEU.
• Programs in which mass media (radio, TV) are used as the instructional method do not qualify for the CEU unless they are an integral part of a program that otherwise qualifies.
• On-the-job training, apprenticeships, work experience, individual scholarship or self-directed study do not qualify unless they are part of an otherwise qualified program.
• Non-educational activities connected with professional societies or associations which may be used to qualify for group membership or certification do not warrant CEU assignment. 

CRITERIA FOR ASSIGNING CEU

The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) has provided the following administrative and program criteria as a minimum to meet the essential requirements for awarding CEU. 

ADMINISTRATIVE CRITERIA FOR PROGRAM SPONSORS

• Organization -- The sponsoring organization must have an identifiable educational arm with professional staff to administer and coordinate an organized schedule of continuing educational programs.
• Responsibility and Control -- The sponsoring organization must maintain administrative control to ensure that the educational objectives are met.
• Facilities -- The sponsoring organization must provide or arrange for appropriate education facilities and a library or reference materials sufficient for the specified educational activity.
• Records -- A permanent record of each individual's participation (based on time attendance) must be maintained and be made available to the individual on request. 

CRITERIA FOR EACH NEW PROGRAM OR COURSE

• Definition -- Each program or course must meet the definitions described in IACET's Criteria and Guidelines.
• Planning -- The programs or courses must be planned in response to the educational needs of a specific group. Inputs must be available from the target group as well as from experts in the field.
• Purpose -- A clear statement of the program or course purpose and goals must be prepared before initiating the program.
• Instruction -- Qualified instructors must be used for all aspects of the courses or programs.
• Performance -- Specific performance requirements for awarding CEU must be established prior to the start of the course.
• Registration -- Sufficient detail must be kept to certify that individuals have participated in substantially all of the course for which the CEU are being awarded and that there is adequate information for a permanent record.
• Evaluation -- Procedures should be implemented during the planning stages which can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. The IACET indicates that group indices usually suffice, but that provisions for individual evaluations should be made wherever appropriate.
• Records -- Within the program there must be a system for verification of satisfactory completion of courses for programs attended by individuals and for the transmittal of such data to the office maintaining permanent records. 

HOW ECTS ASSIGNS CEU

• Number of CEU Assigned

Most of the Programs and Certificate Courses are assigned CEU in accordance with guidelines of the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). Since most courses run approximately 45 hours, 4.5 units; are typically awarded. The number of CEU are registered on the Certificate of Completion presented to each person who fully completes a course. 

• Records

ECTS maintains a computerized list of past students so that anyone who has completed a course can have a Transcript (including the course title, date, instructor's name and title, and number of CEU assigned.