Duke Environmental Leadership Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Short Courses | NEPA Certificate Program
Short Courses
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellation of registration requires 14 days written notice prior to the beginning of the course. Individuals who do not attend and fail to send written notice prior to the deadline will be charged the full tuition. You may send a substitute to attend the course in your place. Extenuating circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
What happens if a course is cancelled?
If a course is cancelled due to insufficient registrations, tuition will be refunded. Duke is not responsible for travel costs or arrangements made by participants.
Can I pay with a credit card?
Yes; we accept credit cards, checks payable to Duke University and electronic funds transfers. In order to pay by credit card, please call Conference Services at 919-660-1760 and indicate your name and the course you wish to pay for. Please note: credit cards cannot be accepted for course tuition if you wish to receive graduate credit, due to Duke University policy.
Do you offer custom courses?
Yes, custom courses can be created or existing courses can be tailored to meet the specific training needs of your corporation, organization or agency. Instruction can be provided either at Duke University or at a location convenient to you. For more information, visit the Custom Courses page, call our office at (919) 613-8082 or e-mail del@nicholas.duke.edu.
How can I find out when you will be offering a particular course again?
Most courses are offered annually, with a few exceptions. Typically, we schedule courses at least six months in advance. As soon as we schedule a course, it will be posted on the Upcoming Courses page (link to upcoming courses page). If you have a question about a particular course, please contact us at del@nicholas.duke.edu.
Where are you located?
Our on-site courses are held at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University in Durham, N.C. For directions, click here.
Where should I stay during the course?
Upon receipt of your registration, we will send you a confirmation letter with details about hotel accommodations. For your convenience, we reserve a block of rooms at a nearby hotel at a discounted rate and arrange for transportation between the hotel and campus.
Can I park on campus?
Visitor parking on campus is extremely limited; however, we arrange for shuttle service to and from campus each day for class.
NEPA Certificate Program
What involvement does the Council for Environmental Quality (CEQ) have in the NEPA Certificate Program?
CEQ is an official co-sponsor of the NEPA Certificate Program, and CEQ staff instruct in many of the Duke NEPA courses.
Do I need to apply and be accepted into the NEPA Certificate Program?
There is no formal application process before you can begin coursework toward the NEPA Certificate. After you have completed at least three of the required Duke NEPA courses, you can propose a capstone paper topic. When you have completed the required 100 hours of NEPA instruction through Duke University and finished your capstone paper, fill out the Certificate Enrollment Form and submit your course records and capstone paper for consideration.
How many courses do I have to take to earn an NEPA Certificate?
The certificate requires a minimum of 100 hours of NEPA instruction in specific Duke University short courses, which can be accomplished through a minimum of four courses.
How do I choose a capstone paper topic?
Capstone papers should involve direct applications of your current work on NEPA; case studies are the preferred format for capstone papers. Once you have taken at least three courses toward the NEPA certificate, you can submit a capstone paper proposal. Your topic will be reviewed by a committee of NEPA instructors, who will provide feedback and suggestions for proceeding.
When and how often is the required course, “Implementation of NEPA,” offered?
The “Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act” course is offered at least on an annual basis, generally in the fall, at Duke University. Depending on demand, the course may be offered twice in some years -- in spring and fall. For course dates, please visit the Upcoming Courses page.
Is the “Implementation of NEPA” course a prerequisite for the other courses?
No, the “Implementation of NEPA” course is not a prerequisite for other courses. However, we recommend that participants take the “Implementation of NEPA” course before the elective courses to gain the background necessary for success in other courses. This is especially important for those new to NEPA.
Do I need to take the courses in any specific order?
No, the courses required for the NEPA Certificate do not need to be taken in any order, although we recommend that those interested in certification take the “Implementation of NEPA” course before elective courses. “Implementation of NEPA” provides an overview of NEPA that serves as a foundation for further training in NEPA.
Do I need to take all of the courses within a certain time frame?
There is no time limit for completion of the NEPA Certificate. You will need to provide a record of all NEPA courses that you have completed to apply for the certificate. End-of-course completion certificates are the preferred form of documentation.
Do the course credits expire?
No, course credits towards the NEPA Certificate do not expire.
Is there a charge for the certificate?
The charge for the certificate is included in the tuition for individual NEPA courses.
Additional questions?
Contact our office at del@nicholas.duke.edu or
(919) 613-8082.
