Frequently Asked Questions
Professional Training at the USC Campus. Find everything you need to know about starting your next career chapter with the Professional Development Institute (PDI) below.
Are these certificate courses?
Yes. A certificate course is a short-term, specialised programme designed to teach specific skills or provide expertise in a particular area. USC is 99 years old, and is the 3rd largest and 3rd highest ranked university in Trinidad and Tobago.
Is there a registration fee?
No, there is no registration fee for PDI courses.
Is there a certificate fee?
No, there is no certificate fee.
Is there a mailing fee?
No, there is no mailing fee. On successful completion of the course, PDI will ask you to reconfirm your full mailing address and your certificate will be mailed to you.
Are there payment options available?
Yes, there are payment options based on the duration of the course. PDI will send you the payment options via email or whatsapp.
What are the payment methods?
There are three methods:
- By credit/debit card, via Aeorion, USC-PDI’s payment portal
- By national or international wire transfer to USC’s account at Republic or Royal Bank in Trinidad
- By deposit to USC’s account at Republic or Royal Bank in Trinidad and Tobago
What are the course delivery methods?
There are four delivery methods, viz:
- Face-to-face or in-person classes on one of USC’s campus as published
- Virtual classes on virtual platforms like Moodle or Zoom
- Online, asynchronous classes where students study at their own pace
- Hybrid or mixed-mode classes in which more than one delivery method is used during the class.
Are there any prerequisites?
Most PDI courses do not have formal prerequisites. However, some advanced or specialised courses may recommend prior experience or foundational knowledge. Specific requirements, if any, will be listed in the course description.
What are the main elements of a course?
- Course Title
- Start and end dates
- Class days and times
- Professional Development Hours (PDHs) – hours of classroom contact and assignments
- Objectives and Learning Outcomes
- Themes – these are some of the key themes/areas of focus in the course.
- CQF Level – the CARICOM Qualifications Framework to which each course is pegged