Frequently Asked Questions
Academic Courses
How can I set up a student account and register for a course?
Create a new account or log in to your current account through the Student Login page. You can register by selecting a course and adding it to your cart. Please be sure to add your NIH discount while your programming is in your cart, if applicable.
When does registration begin?
Registration dates and other important deadlines are indicated in the Academic Calendar.
What courses do you offer in the fall, spring and summer?
You can check course availability on our Course Schedule.
When is your Open House?
We typically host these events mid August and mid January each year, and host several Virtual Information Session events throughout the year. You can also check the Academic Calendar for dates and registration links.
What is your schedule of classes?
Our online courses are delivered asynchronously which means there is no set day or time to attend for most courses, but students are required to meet course assignment deadlines.
Are FAES courses as rigorous as courses at other higher education institutions?
Our credit-bearing courses require the same “time on task” per credit as courses at other higher education institutions. Our course rigor has led to partnerships with several colleges and universities where FAES course credits count toward fulfilling requirements for their degree programs. You can learn more about specific partnerships on our website.
What is an asynchronous online course?
In a fully online asynchronous course, all teaching and learning is done online, facilitated by digital tools. At FAES, we made the decision to move toward online asynchronous learning because of the educational benefits, grounded in research. Online learning uses technology to transform and improve the learning process. A key to online learning is that students are in control of their learning. For example, instead of having one opportunity to listen to a lectures, you can pause, go back or skip forward through online content as a free agent. By being in control of your own learning, you can hone the skills that underlie and support deep learning, such as self-adjustment and self-assessment. In online learning, digital tools are used to leverage opportunities for student control. The technology used for the online learning shifts content and instruction to the control of the student to allow for a personalized, individualized learning experience.
How do I access my online course?
You will receive an email invite to join your course(s) via FAES Canvas prior to the course start date. This invitation will only be sent to you if your tuition and fees are paid.
How do I access my academic records?
You can log in to the student portal to view all your past and current records (since 2021). Records predating 2021 are available via an official transcript through Parchment. Please see our Transcripts Page for full details on printing a self-service unofficial transcript or purchasing an official transcript. Contact the Registrar's Office (registrar@faes.org) with any questions or concerns about your academic records.
How do I get a transcript?
FAES offers self-serve unofficial transcripts via the FAES Student Portal and official transcripts via Parchment. Visit the Request a Transcript page for full details, instructions, and fees.
Why doesn’t my cumulative GPA appear on my transcript and will my credits transfer to another institution?
The FAES Graduate School at NIH is a non-accredited, non-degree-granting postsecondary institution operating with the approval of the Maryland Higher Education Commission. FAES courses do not currently lead to degrees and there is no cumulative GPA calculation for a student’s coursework at FAES.
FAES courses are, however, credit bearing and we have heard anecdotally from students who have received credit from other institutions for their FAES courses. If you are interested in receiving credit from another institution, we suggest you contact the admissions office or department chair where you are applying to inquire about the likelihood of credits transferring.
We also have transfer agreements with several universities in the Greater Washington area. For details visit the University Partnerships page.
Do you have nursing classes?
We do not offer nursing classes however, we do offer courses that might meet the pre-requisites for nursing school application.
Do you offer a grant writing course?
No, as of now, we do not however, we do offer the GRAD 500 | Writing and Publishing a Scientific Paper workshop.
How do I register for a class?
New students can create an account and register online here.
Does FAES offer scholarships?
Yes, we do offer a merit- and need-based scholarship that offers up to a $350 tuition credit. Anyone, both NIH and non-NIH affiliates can apply for this competitive scholarship for self-funded students. More information is available on the Scholarships & Fellowships page.
Can I take FAES courses if I don’t work at the NIH?
Yes, definitely! FAES course are open to the general public.
Have you received payment for my course from my employer?
A student can check their balance via the FAES Student Portal or if they are unsure, we can check for them. Payments made through the third-party payment portal are posted to a student's account in 1-2 business, but if it is urgent an the registrar (registrar@faes.org) can check if a transaction was received on their behalf.
How and where can I get my book?
Please see our Textbooks and How to Purchase page for a list of required and recommended textbooks along with instructions on how to purchase. Contact the FAES Book Store with questions here: faesbookstore@nih.gov
How can my employer pay for my course?
A third party can pay with a credit card via our designated portal on our website (https://faes.org/payment) or government administrators can submit an SF182 – Training Nomination Vendor Copy to registrar@faes.org.
Workshops
What are workshops?
Workshops are lectures and laboratory based trainings that examine current and upcoming processes and methodology that are used in life science research.
Who can attend workshops?
Current and future researchers, including undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, post-doctorate, MD and PhD level, would benefit from taking one of our hands-on training courses. Participants are usually active in the sciences and come from government, private industry and academic research institutions from around the United States and the world. Our programs are open to the general public.
How do I sign up for a FAES workshop?
First, create a new account or log in to your current account through the FAES Student Login page. Next, register by selecting a workshop and adding it to your cart. Please be sure to add your NIH discount while your programming is in your cart, if applicable.
Where are FAES workshop held?
Currently all FAES workshops are held either online synchronously (live) or in-person in our FAES Learning Labs in Building 10 on the NIH Bethesda, Maryland Campus.
When are FAES workshop held?
Our workshops typically run 2-5 consecutive days, or 1-2 short sessions over 3-4 weeks.
What is your workshop cancellation and refund policy?
Click here to view our full workshop cancellation and refund policy.
Will I receive academic credit for a workshop?
Our workshops are non-credit bearing. Each participant that takes a workshop will receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs) based on the number of contact hours, if applicable. One hour equals 0.1 CEUs. A typical workshop day is equal to 0.7 CEUs.
Micro-credentials
What is a micro-credential?
A micro-credential demonstrates a commitment to ongoing learning. Micro-credentials supplement traditional academic credentials by recognizing achievement and skill in new topics that professionals may earn at any point in their careers. At FAES, most micro-credentials could be earned through successfully completing a specific series of courses and/or workshops.
Why pursue a micro-credential?
Professionals in every field should continue learning and growing throughout their careers, and pursuing alternate credentials fulfills an important need to signify this learning. Like a credential, a micro-credential is an educational achievement. According to University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), hiring managers view micro-credentials on a resume as an indication that the candidate is highly motivated to learn.i
What is a digital badge?
A digital badge is a visual representation of knowledge and skills gained by a professional who has successfully completed the courses and project work to earn a micro-credential. FAES awards digital badges that can be shared on social media platforms, through websites, or added to digital business cards and email signature lines.ii
Why does FAES offer micro-credentials and award badges?
Micro-credentials enable professionals to document learning in a way that empowers them to plan, track, and share their accomplishments in multiple ways. For more than 60 years, FAES has offered relevant continuing education in evolving aspects of biomedical science including technology transfer, bioinformatics, public policy, and advanced cancer discovery. Digital badges provide tokens of academic achievement that help our scholars advance their expertise, experiences, and careers.
What micro-credentials does FAES currently offer?
All FAES courses are taught by leading practitioners in their fields, designed so that students can simultaneously gain necessary knowledge in the field and build professional networks. Certain FAES courses earn credits toward micro-credentials and are listed as part of the digital badge series. Development of new courses is ongoing and new courses may be counted towards the badges listed below. FAES offers the following digital badges:
ihttps://unbound.upcea.edu/innovation/alternative-credentialing/microdegrees/national-survey-suggests-that-employers-will-lead-way-on-digital-badging/
iihttps://knowledgequest.aasl.org/i-earned-a-badge-now-what-where-to-display-badges-and-micro-credentials/
If I have additional questions, who can I contact?
Email registrar@faes.org with questions and inquiries.
