PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
General Information for Students
PSU ID
All Continuing Professional Education (CPE) students will receive a PSU Student ID (9-digit
number beginning with 9) which is assigned when you register.
The primary way to identify you as a Penn State University student is your PSU ID. If you
attended classes previously, you already have a PSU ID. It is your responsibility to retain this
number and safeguard its confidentiality. You should have only one PSU ID.
Your social security number (SSN) will be used by the University to verify your identity for official
record keeping.
If you choose not to supply your SSN, certain services (transcripts, Act 48 reporting, etc.) may not
be available to you and Penn State cannot guarantee a complete academic record for you. Your
SSN is stored confidentially in a central system.
FRIENDS OF PENN STATE ACCOUNT
Students receive a Friends of Penn State Account (FPS) upon registering for a CPE course. You
will use your FPS user ID and password to log in to Canvas, the course management system.
(Not all courses use Canvas). When setting up your FPS account, be sure to create security
questions, to facilitate resetting your password in the event it expires.
COMPUTER ACCESS ACCOUNT
If you are enrolled in a computer course, you will be issued a “Slim Account.” This account gives
you access to PSU computers and will expire when the course ends.
To activate your ‘Slim Account’ you must visit a Signature Station in the Computer Center (ground
floor, Main) or the Admissions Office (first floor, Main) with your PSU ID, and some other form of
photo identification (driver’s license, etc.)
CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS
Room assignments will be listed on the scrolling monitors in the building lobby.
WITHDRAWALS/REFUNDS
If you cannot attend a course, you may receive a full refund by notifying the Professional
Development Office at 610-648-3281, BEFORE THE FIRST NIGHT OF THE COURSE. There
are NO refunds after class has begun, and refunds will not be issued for classes missed as a
result of illness, personal emergencies, or any other event beyond the University’s control. No
refunds will be made to students who attempt to take courses without complying with prerequisite
requirements.
COURSE CANCELLATIONS
The University reserves the right to cancel courses due to insufficient enrollment or other
unforeseen circumstances. Full refunds will be given in these events.
TEXTBOOK INFORMATION
Textbook information for upcoming course work can be found by going to the Penn State Great
Valley home page (greatvalley.psu.edu), clicking on “Professional Development”, and then the
“Bookstore” link under “Quick Links”. Fill in the required semester/course information at the
“Find Textbooks” selection under the “Textbooks” drop down (upper left) to view required texts.
DIRECTIONS TO CAMPUS AND PARKING
Parking is free and accessible. Visit our website for directions to our campus:
greatvalley.psu.edu/directions.
GRADES
An official grade report will be mailed to you within three weeks after classes end. Grade letters
are not issued for Pass/Fail courses. Contact the Professional Development Office if your
employer requires a grade letter for a Pass/Fail course. Be aware it is against University policy to
release grades by telephone, fax or e-mail.
PROGRAM CERTIFICATES
Students successfully completing course work in a certificate program will automatically receive a
certificate addressed to the student name and address in our PSU system. It is your responsibility
to advise the Registration Office of any changes in your contact information.
UNEXPECTED CLASS CANCELLATIONS
Cancellations will be announced via e-mail. Please make sure the e-mail you provide when you
register is the correct and preferred one. If you do not have access to your e-mail during regular
business hours, please make arrangements with the Professional Development Office and your
instructor for alternative means of notification.
WEATHER RELATED CLOSINGS
Please call the Campus Hotline at 610-648-3399 or check the website at greatvalley.psu.edu for
class cancellation due to severe weather. Your instructor may elect to cancel class due to
weather issues even though the campus is officially open but you will be notified via e-mail if that
is the case. Students are advised to check their e-mail prior to traveling to class.
OFFICE HOURS (Please call to verify hours; they may vary during summer and holidays)
Professional Development Office
610-648-3281
Hours: Mon.–Thur. 8:00 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Bookstore - 610-648-3280
Hours: Mon.–Thur. 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: Closed
Registration Office - 610-648-3274
Hours: Mon.–Thurs. 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: Closed
Library - 610-648-3215
Hours: Mon.–Thur. 9:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Computer Center - 610-648-3230
Hours: Mon.–Thurs. 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
PENN STATE GREAT VALLEY
Professional Development Office
30 East Swedesford Road, Malvern, PA 19355-1443
610-648-3281
Visit our website at greatvalley.psu.edu/professional-development for the most up-to-date schedule information.