One system quantifies professional development activities, often used in fields requiring ongoing training for licensure or certification maintenance. For instance, a nurse might attend a workshop on new medical technologies and receive a certain number of these units upon completion. Another system measures academic coursework at colleges and universities, contributing towards degrees or certificates. Successfully completing a three-credit course, for example, typically involves approximately 45 hours of instruction.
Understanding the distinctions between these measures is vital for professionals needing to meet regulatory requirements or advance their academic standing. Historically, the need for standardized methods to track professional growth prompted the development of the former, while the latter evolved alongside the formal higher education system to gauge academic progress and achievement.
