FAQs
General Course Information
What is a self-paced course?
A self-paced course allows you to progress through materials at your own speed, without a set schedule from an instructor.
How do self-paced and instructor-led courses differ?
Self-paced courses do not have scheduled meeting times. While they are designed for independent study, subject matter experts are available to answer questions about the content or courseware.
When can I enroll in a course?
You can enroll at any time once a course is live on the Perkins Academy website.
How long do I have to complete a course?
Courses are available for 120 days after your enrollment date. You can track your remaining time via your NovoEd dashboard.
How much time should I set aside for a course?
Most courses are divided into approximately eight modules, with each module taking an average of two hours to complete.
Can I earn college or graduate credit?
Currently, these courses are designed for professional development and do not offer graduate or degree-program credits.
Perkins CVI Certificate Program
What is the Perkins CVI Certificate?
The Perkins CVI Certificate is a recognition awarded to learners who complete a specific series of four self-paced courses focused on the Perkins CVI Protocol and practical educational strategies for students with CVI.
Does this make me a "certified specialist"?
No, this certificate recognizes completion of the Perkins course series. The certificate does not grant formal licensure or make you a certified CVI specialist or orientation and mobility specialist.
How does this differ from the UMass CVI Certificate?
The Perkins CVI Certificate focuses specifically on the 16 visual behaviors and the Perkins CVI Protocol. Our courses are self-paced, non-graduate credit bearing, and designed for immediate classroom application.
Can I earn college or graduate credit?
Currently, these courses are designed for professional development and do not offer graduate or degree-program credits.
Will I need to renew my certificate?
No, the Perkins CVI certificate does not expire.
Registration, Payment, and Support
How do I register for a course?
Visit https://www.perkinsacademy.org/courses and select your desired course from the catalog, and follow the on-screen prompts for purchase. Once your purchase has been completed, you will get an email with your login credentials and other important information about your course.
What are the payment options?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. We also allow institutions to pay using purchase orders (POs). If you are paying by PO, please reach out to perkinsacademy@perkins.org for assistance.
Can I get a refund?
All purchases are non-refundable. If you have made an error in your order, please contact perkinsacademy@perkins.org for assistance.
Can I register a group or cohort?
Yes. You can purchase the total number of seats needed on the Perkins Academy website. Once you have submitted payment, we will email you a form to collect learner details and handle the enrollment for your group.
Where do I go if I need help?
For any questions or technical support, please email us at perkins.academy@perkins.org.
Do you offer group pricing?
We do offer group pricing for groups larger than 10. Please email perkins.academy@perkins.org for details.
Professional Development and Credits
Can I get professional development credit?
Yes. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate detailing the course name, date, and completion hours (typically 15 hours per course) which can be used to request PDP/CEU credits. Some courses also offer ACVREP credits. Check your course description page for course specific details.
Are ACVREP credits available?
Yes, ACVREP credits are available. After completing your course and meeting all criteria, we will provide directions on how to receive your ACVREP credits.
How long does it take to receive my certificate?
We anticipate emailing your certificate within one week after you have met all completion criteria.