Portland State University's certificate in Organization Development provides students with tools, techniques, and practical experiences to become more effective change leaders. Our changing business climate has had a profound impact on the way organizations operate. As professionals who manage these organizations, we need to understand change, how people react to it, and how to manage it to our organization's benefit.

Our courses in Organization Development meet the growing demand for leaders skilled in organizational change of the Portland Metro area including Vancouver and southwestern Washington, and Salem, Oregon, communities.

1. How do I get started?
   
   If you know which courses you need, register today! There is no application process and you do not need to be admitted to the University. If you are not sure which courses to register for, Charles Ryan Brown will help you create a personal plan to earn a certificate. Call 503-725-8085 or email browncr@pdx.edu.

2. How much do the courses cost?
   
   The tuition for the OD courses includes books, materials, and parking. The course tuition is as follows:

   • Individuals and Change in Organizations, $450
     
   • Group Processess and Development, $450
     
   • Organizational Behavior and Change, $450
     
   • Adult Learning and Communication, $365
     
   • Performance Analysis and Improvement Strategies, $595
     
   • Information Collection for the Change Leader, $595
     
   • Organization Development Practices Capstone, $325

    

3. I've taken OD courses through the Human Resource Management program. Can I apply them to the OD certificate as well?
   
   Absolutely.

4. Do I need to apply to PSU in order to take your courses?
   
   No. Admission to Portland State University is not a prerequisite to enroll in PDC courses which are noncredit offerings. For courses where undergraduate credit is optional (for an additional fee), admission is not necessary if enrolling eight credits or less per term.

5. Do I have to be enrolled in a certificate of completion program in order to take your courses?
   
   If the student meets any prerequisites, courses can be taken individually. Some discounts are offered for students planning on completion of a certificate. See specific program for details and information regarding prerequisites.

6. What are CEUs?
   
   The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized method of quantifying the time spent in the classroom during noncredit learning. Ten hours of instruction equal one (1) CEU. The CEU provides a permanent record of the educational accomplishments of an individual who has completed significant noncredit educational and career-enhancement experiences.

7. What do you mean by academic credit?
   

   Whether you sign up for a Professional Development Center course as an individual or as an employee, you may be asked to choose between a "for-credit" and a "noncredit" registration option. The center's customers often ask about the differences. Here are some important distinctions to help you decide which option is best for you. While the Professional Development Center does not offer degree programs, if a course is taken on a for-credit basis, it may be applicable as elective credit for certain degree programs at PSU or at other institutions. In order to determine eligibility, you need to confirm this with the administrators of the degree program that interests you.

   Though all Professional Development Center courses help participants gain important knowledge and skills, the for-credit version of a course requires you to demonstrate your competence in a more formal way. When you register for credit, you can expect the instructor to assign you a research paper or other project that asks you to apply your learning to a workplace-based situation.

   Another important difference between the for-credit and noncredit options is the kind of record that results upon completion. A for-credit course is posted to the student's permanent academic transcript, which is kept on file in the PSU Office of Admissions and Records. A noncredit course results in a certificate of completion given to the participant.

   Some employers require students to take a course for credit in order to qualify for tuition reimbursement. Check your employer's reimbursement policy if you think this might affect you.

   If either you or your employer has more specific expectations of our courses, such as the desire to work through a particular workplace challenge as a course project, please call the Professional Development Center office at 503-725-4820, and we'll inform the instructor of your needs.

8. How long do I have to complete my certificate program?
   
   You have three calendar years from when you began coursework in order to complete your certificate.

9. Can I audit classes or sit in?
   

   Per University policy, the tuition and fees for auditing courses are the same as for taking the courses as for credit or noncredit (CEUs), but a student does not earn a certificate for the course.

   Unregistered participants may not sit in on courses.

   If you are not sure a class is right for you, please contact a program manager to discuss your situation.

10. What are the policies regarding course cancellation or changes?
    

    The Professional Development Center is self-supported. Therefore, insufficient enrollment or other conditions may require cancelling a course. In that case, registrants are notified as soon as possible and fees are refunded.

    Changes in course content, instructor, or scheduling are sometimes necessary. Participants are notified of any changes in scheduling. The Professional Development Center reserves the right, without prior notification to participants, to make whatever changes are deemed necessary for the effective operation of courses and seminars.

11. Is financial aid available?
    

    To be able to apply for financial aid, a student must be admitted to a program of study leading to a degree or certificate. Students must be attending at least half time (six credit hours per term) and be taking courses for credit.

    • Apply for admission to Portland State University.
    • Submit a Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) form.

    The financial aid process takes an average of three months from application to aid disbursement.

    To learn more about the financial aid process and eligibility requirements, please contact the financial aid office at 503-725-3461 or visit www.ess.pdx.edu/fao/howtoapp.htm.

    For information regarding other assistance available, including scholarships, please click here.

12. What are the benefits of working with Portland State University?
    

    Portland State University is a nationally recognized urban university with academic accreditation that assures quality instruction.

    A Single Source for Training - Education is the University's business: you have access to 600 university faculty, over 100 top business practitioners who share their knowledge through teaching, and the broadest possible range of subject matter to meet your training needs.

    A Stable Training Partner - PSU is more than 50 years old, and the School of Extended Studies Professional Development Center has been proactively meeting training needs for over 12 years and counting.

    Relevant and Current Curriculum - Our programs are designed to blend traditional theory with cutting-edge "best" practices; we use followup, feedback, and continuous monitoring of programs to assure fresh instruction.

    A Standard of Excellence - Our academic accreditation requires that we provide the community with quality education, and we work to uphold this standard.

    Value to Employers and Employees - University instruction is valued by employees: when you offer it to them, we promise to make your investment worthwhile by delivering the highest quality instruction.

    Customer Service - Our immediate and attentive responses will please you. You need it, and we deliver it.

    Certification and Documentation - The University's professional development programs, onsite training, and seminars not only build on existing skills, they also provide individuals with formal documentation of professional skills growth to strengthen their resumés and prepare for career advancement.

    Library - A training relationship with PSU features access to the Branford Millar Library, housing over 1 million bound volumes, and PORTALS, an online service that combines the resources of academic, public, and private libraries in the Northwest.

    The Urban Mission - We have a reputation to live up to; Portland State is Oregon's urban University, nationally recognized for development of relevant, applicable knowledge and response to the special needs and interests of organizations in the greater Portland area.

    Your University - PSU is a public, not-for-profit institution dedicated to education, workforce development, and lifelong learning. Our motto is Doctrina Urbi Serviat, "Let Knowledge Serve the City."

13. What happens if I need to drop a course?
    

    NONCREDIT REFUND
    

    Notification received 5 or more business days before start date	Full refund
    1–4 business days before start date	Full refund less $25 processing fee
    On or after course or seminar start date	NO REFUND

    Cancellation notice may be given by phone, but all refund requests must be made in writing before a refund is issued. Please allow four to six weeks for processing.

    CREDIT REFUND
    Refund of the credit portion of the fee only is based on the Portland State University fee refund schedule.

    100% refund	before 1st class meeting
    85% refund	before 2nd class meeting
    50% refund	before 3rd class meeting
    25% refund	before 4th class meeting

    A full refund of credit fee is available only before the first class meeting. If a student is unsure whether to add the credit option of a course, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor for specific credit completion requirements prior to the start of the course. Please call the Professional Development Center for information on how to contact instructors. Allow four to six weeks for processing.

    PAYMENT
    Payment for courses and seminars is the responsibility of the student. Full payment or approved company purchase order number must accompany the registration form in order to process registration. If payment on a purchase order is not received, the student is responsible for the balance of the course/seminar fee.