McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I register for a course?

  You can register for a course by visiting the CE Courses or CNE Course individual pages.

  Complete your course registration by clicking Enroll on the Course page and following the instructions for making payment and creating your Canvas Catalog account.

• Will I receive a Certificate of Completion?

  Yes, a Certificate of Completion is awarded upon successful completion of the required topics for each course. Canvas Catalog will generate a Certificate of Completion that you can download as a PDF and print. We will not be sending out hardcopy certificates.

• Are there any Continuing Education Credits available?

  McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics is a HIMSS Approved Education Partner. Our five courses can be used for Certification Renewals for CAHIMS and CPHIMS. All five courses total up to the minimum of 25 CEs needed for renewal under Continuing Education.

• How long do I have access to complete the course?

  You will have six months from the time your enrollment is processed to finish the course.

  You may re-register and pay fees to extend your access.

• Do any of these courses count towards graduate credit in the McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics certificate and degree programs?

  No, McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics Continuing Education courses are offered online as self-paced, non-credit courses without the supervision of an instructor. Therefore, Certificates of Completion received through the McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics Continuing Education program may not be used for credit in graduate programs at McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics or UTHealth Houston.

• I am new to distance learning and I am not sure whether I will be able to keep up with the course. Is there a sample course available?

  Access our sample course to explore and familiarize yourself with course navigation and format. The online sample course is available at the following link: https://uth.instructure.com/courses/30228

• Are you able to use a mobile app to take the courses?

  The current Canvas mobile app does not have the capability to connect to Canvas Catalog. You can access the Canvas Catalog as a webpage and it will automatically display much like a mobile app.

• What is the difference between this program and the graduate certificate program from McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics?

  McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics Graduate Certificate program is an official university academic program consisting of 15 semester credit hours. The graduate-level credit hours earned in this certificate program are transferrable to accredited university degree programs, such as a Master or Doctorate degree. Admission to Graduate Degree programs are more rigorous as it requires submission of a bachelor or higher degree, a GPA requirement, official transcripts, a reference letter and other admission requirements to be accepted. For more information on McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics Graduate Certificate program: https://sbmi.uth.edu/prospective-students/academics/certificate.htm.

  However, the McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics Continuing Education Certificate program is a professional development effort consisting of online training courses that DO NOT offer any college credits. These are available to the public and have no requirements for admission.

• Are there any prerequisites or eligibility requirements?

  No, there are no prerequisite or eligibility restrictions on any of the courses.

• Will I need to purchase textbooks, supplies or other material in addition to paying for the course?

  No, McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics will provide all instructional material to you as soon as your enrollment in the course is processed. You do not need to purchase any additional material to complete the course.

• What if I do not like the course? Can I drop it and get a refund?

  Our refund policy states:

  McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics will NOT consent to processing any refunds unless it qualifies as an acceptable reason. Examples of acceptable reasons include an extended illness or family emergency. A refund request notification should be formally submitted to SBMICE@uth.tmc.edu and must be accompanied by verifiable documentation of an emergency. Examples of verifiable documentation include Emergency Room documentation or a link to an obituary for a family member.

  If the criteria specified above is met, McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics will refund only up to 50% of the enrollment price due to refund processing fees. McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics will only review refund requests from currently enrolled individuals. Individuals asking for refunds whose enrollments have passed will be dismissed.

  Reasons such as too much work, computer problems, do not have time, etc. are considered unacceptable reasons for a refund.

• I was not able to complete the course within six months and now I am unable to access it. Do I have to pay again and start the course all over again?

  You may renew your registration any time by filling out the registration form and paying the fee again and we will extend your access. This means your coursework will be retained.

• I finished the courses and want to participate in one of McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics certificate or degree plan to gain further knowledge. Who should I contact?

  Please review our certificate or degree program offerings on our Prospective Students page first and then you may submit an inquiry form with your questions. Live Chat is also available on the webpage for any immediate queries.

• Will my state accept these Continuing Nursing Education Contact Hours?

  Please check your state requirements prior to taking the course. Florida and Iowa Residents may be subject to strict Continuing Nursing Education requirements.