General FAQs
Courses either have a set start date or begin immediately upon receiving your course registration notification along with your username and password.
You can start your course whenever you would like. However, unless you contact us with a different preferred starting date, the course normally starts after you register for the course and receive your course registration notification with your username and password.
Iowa State University can only accept credit card payments (all major credit cards accepted).
Each course has a different timeline for completion. Please visit the course pages for details.
For non-credit courses, you will receive their certificates via email from Iowa State.
Since we offer learners a free preview of the majority of courses to see if the course is the right fit, we do not offer refunds. However, in extreme circumstances, we will work with learners within 5 days of purchase.
If you have any questions, feel free to please contact us at isopd@iastate.edu.
Course-specific FAQs
Fundamental Skills and Knowledge of Cost Engineering
There will be no prerequisite for this course. The course textbook and workbook will provide information to guide you through the course.
Yes, you will have a grader who can answer any questions you may have. For any course site or technical help, email us at isopd@iastate.edu.
The course cost is $950.00 (USD). This will allow you to access the course website and workbook/assignments. You are also required to purchase a textbook on your own. The textbook is from $80 to $120 depending on your membership with AACEI and if you are buying the paperback or digital version.
- Paperback from AACEI
- PDF version from AACEI
- Kindle Version or Paperback from Amazon
There are assigned readings and videos, as well as supplementary videos to prepare you for knowledge checks, major assignments, and exams. Knowledge checks are scored but not graded and provide automated feedback. Major assignments (6 in total) will all be submitted on the course website, reviewed by the course teaching assistant, and then returned with a score and feedback attached. You must receive 80% or better in each assignment. Our grader will allow you to resubmit if score is less than 80%. There is a mid-course exam graded by a Teaching Assistant (TA), and a final AACEI preparatory exam that provides automated feedback.
You will need access to Microsoft Word, a web browser, and email. You will need Internet access to view course materials and grades within the course site.
This course, including the required textbook, will help you prepare for several AACEI Certification Exams (Professional Level Certifications). After successful completion of the course, you can apply to receive 8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and a certificate of completion issued by Iowa State University. All segments of the course must be completed to earn CEU credit for the course. Partial credit will not be awarded. For more information about each certification exam and its study materials, please go to AACEI Professional Level Certifications page.
Our course will help you prepare for the following AACEI Certificate Exams administered by AACEI:
Crop Marketing
The Crop Marketing course is offered once a year, starting in November and ending in March. You can check back in next September/October for information about future course offerings.
You can register for the course at any time from November to the following February. However, you will still need to complete all the course requirements before the course ends on following March. We recommend that you register as early as possible to give yourself enough time to complete the course.