The Certificate Handbook (PDF) contains a step-by-step guide through the course registration process and may have the answers to many of your questions.
Registering for Classes
How will I know I'm registered for a course?The Office of Professional Education will send a student's Personal ID Number (PID) confirming his or her enrollment in the program within a week of completing the registration form.
What is a PID?
The Personal ID Number (PID) is an identification number assigned to all persons affiliated with the University. This number is a universal number unique to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The number is nine digits long and replaces all existing card numbers previously used on campus. The PID is the primary record-keeping key for all departments within the University and must be used for all communication.
How can I look up my PID if I already have one?
Once enrolled, students can obtain their PID using their social security number and date of birth. Students who have been enrolled at any time at UNC have a PID.
When you set up your Onyen and password, an email is generated that will prompt you to set up your UNC email, called Heelmail, which is accessed at heelmail.unc.edu. The link to sign up is unc.edu/email/signup. Your Heelmail address begins with your Onyen and ends with“@live.unc.edu.” This email address will be used by your instructor, classmates and UNC administration to communicate with you.
Can I forward my UNC e-mail address to another address?
The use of a UNC e-mail address for all class-related e-mail is preferred, but students can forward a UNC e-mail address to a preferred e-mail address. We recommend students check their UNC e-mail frequently to make sure forwarding is working properly.
I have taken classes at UNC before, but this is my first online course. Will my old Onyen and password still work?
It will if the password hasn't expired. Onyen passwords expire every 90 days.
I don't remember my Onyen or password.
See instructions to obtain a new password by faxing the Onyen password reset request form. It is strongly advised to use the challenge-response system when creating an Onyen and password. This system makes it easy to reset a forgotten password by answering a set of questions the user has defined in the system.
How do I pay tuition?
Payment for tuition and fees can be made online in the MyUNC Student Center in ConnectCarolina. See Payment Options and Access.
Managing Courses
How do I know which books to purchase?
Reading assignments vary by course and instructor. Many of the resources will be articles and research available on the Internet. Instructors also may assign texts, which can be purchased online at various retail sites.
How do I get to my course(s)?
Course content is managed by Sakai. Students need an Onyen and password to access Sakai. Courses are not available until the first day of classes.
Sakai is asking for a onyen and password.
Create an Onyen (Only Name You’ll Ever Need) and password with a PID and last name. (See How can I look up my PID if I already have one?)
If for any reason you must withdraw, cancel or drop, you must make a request in writing to Maggie Hutaff at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Withdrawal is dropping all courses on a student's schedule for the semester after classes have begun. Please also refer to the Academic Calendar. Students may be eligible for a prorated refund, depending on the date of withdrawal.
Cancellation is dropping all courses on a student's schedule for the semester before classes begin. It is, in effect, the same as not having registered at all. No entry is made on the student's permanent record and 100 percent of prepaid tuition and fees is refunded.
Dropping a course assumes that a student has more than one course on his or her schedule for the current semester. Students may drop a course with credit to their financial account up to the census date (about three weeks into the semester). Students dropping a course will receive a full refund if the published deadlines are met (see the Academic Calendar for exact deadlines). No refund will be given after the published deadlines.
Where is my final grade?
Final course grades can be found in your MyUNC Student Center at the end of each semester.
Completing the Certificate
Transcripts can be obtained from the registrar.
I am in my last certificate course. How do I apply for graduation?
In your last semester, you may apply for graduation through your ConnectCarolina account beginning the first day of class. On the Academics tab, select “Apply for Graduation” from the drop-down box and click the arrow.
Will I receive a certificate?
You will receive a certificate within three to four months after your graduation date. Certificates for University certificate programs measure 8 ½” x 11.” Your certificate will be mailed to the home address listed on your ConnectCarolina account at the time of graduation. It is each student's responsibility to ensure that this home address is where the diploma should be sent. To update your home mailing address, go to the MyUNC portal and click "Update Personal Information".
How will my name appear on my certificate?
Your certificate will be printed with the full legal name as listed on your ConnectCarolina account. To check that you name is listed correctly, go to the MyUNC portal. Click the link on the left-hand side of the webpage “Update Personal Information”. After logging in, your full legal name will be listed at the top of the page. If this is not the full name you wish to appear on your diploma, you must process a name change through the Registrar’s Office.
Helpful Links for Enrolled Students
UNC Libraries
The libraries can respond to your questions by phone, e-mail and chat. Visit http://www.lib.unc.edu/de/ for library support. Students have access to scholarly journals and other library resources through their onyen. Look at "Introduction to Library Research" for more information.
IT Response Center
The ITRC provides technology support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for students and faculty members. ITRC offers extensive online help, including a database of frequently asked questions. For help, call 919.962.HELP.
Sakai
Students experiencing problems with Sakai should check the help page. Students experiencing trouble logging on should call 919.962.HELP.
MyUNC
Check grades, pay bills, verify course registration here, plus much more.
Still Need Help?
The school's Office of Professional Education staff stands ready to answer any questions. If they can't answer a particular question, they'll find someone who can. The Office of Professional Education is staffed 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, excluding University holidays. Contact Professional Education at 919.843.9471.
Have another question? E-mail Maggie Hutaff at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
