Frequently Asked Questions

To get started, simply click “Register” among the buttons at the top and fill out the registration form. While registering, you will create a “User Login” consisting of your e-mail address and a chosen password. On subsequent visits, you will first log-in and then click “View Courses” to select a course.

Selecting a course to view will open a window that includes audio/video of the taped course, access to course materials, details about the course and the speaker(s), and a help page for troubleshooting.

You must first register on the site by clicking the "Register" button at the top. After registering, log in to get to a list of all available courses. Click on the purchase icon next to the course you have selected. A course purchase screen will be displayed. Enter your credit card information in the format shown, and click on the Purchase button. If your purchase is successful, a thank you screen will display and you will receive an e-mail confirming your purchase. If a thank you screen does not display, or if you do not receive a confirmation e-mail, exit the online seminar site and log into it again. If the course has been purchased successfully, the Purchase icon will have been replaced with a Listen/View icon. If the Purchase icon is still available, try to purchase the course again, making sure to match the recommended format for each field to the actual entry in the field.

Yes, you can stop listening to a course and return to it at any time before the course is deactivated. (See the end date on the course listings page for deactivation. If blank, there is no set deactivation date.) Once you have purchased a course, it will be accessible from any computer at any time. You can access your course by first logging in using your e-mail address and password. If you leave a course in mid-segment, you will have to start at the beginning of that segment when you return in order to complete it.

The first time you view each segment of a course you can not fast forward. In order to complete the course and receive credit, you must listen to each segment in its entirety and in sequence. Do not click "Next Segment" until the current segment has finished. Clicking "Next Segment" before the end will result in having to re-listen to that particular segment. You may complete the entire course in one sitting or after you complete each segment, you may leave the site and return to complete the next segment at a later time. Once you have finished a segment and clicked the "Next Segment" button, you may go back and review it at any time, including fast forward and rewind options.

Once you have purchased a course, it is available until it is taken off the website. Once a deactivation date is established, an end date is shown on the Available Courses page. Do not register for a course with an end date if you will not be able to complete it prior to that date. You can listen to the course at any time of the week, day or night.

The Bulletin Board provides you an opportunity to post an idea, thought, comment or question. This allows you to open a discussion with other participants. Northwestern Law monitors the bulletin board and questions directed to the speakers will be forwarded to them and answers provided at a later time. Be sure to return at a later date to see comments by other participants or answers to your questions.

To participate in an online seminar, you will need:

• a recent version of Windows Media Player (version 9.0 or better);
• a recent version of Adobe Reader;
• a connection to the Internet of 56 Kbps or higher.
• a sound card and speakers
• a web browser -- Internet Explorer 6.0 or better
• a credit card (MasterCard, Visa, AMEX)
• Cookies must be enabled on the browser. This is the default setting for Internet Explorer and Netscape.
• to update your browser or Windows go to http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

We do not recommend using a Macintosh computer. However, some users have been able to successfully complete online seminars using Macintosh computers. You will still need Windows Media Player and Adobe Reader software installed on your computer.

The fees for each course vary depending upon length and content. The cost of each course is listed next to it. Prices range from $99 to $119.

We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express. Sorry, checks are not an acceptable form of payment for online courses.

Unfortunately we can not issue a refund once you have purchased a course. Keep in mind that if you are unable to view the course right away or can not complete it in one sitting, you may return to it later and view it. If you are unsatisfied with your purchase and would like to discuss your situation, please feel free to contact us.

There are a few reasons you may be receiving an error message.

1. Make sure you are not using a debit card.
2. Make sure your billing address matches the address your credit card bill is sent to.
3. Make sure Line 1 of your address is a physical location (not a firm name).
4. Make sure all fields are completed on the form.

If you are still having trouble, feel free to contact us.

Yes. All payments are sent through Verisign using the latest encryption technology (https) so your personal information can not be intercepted.

Some courses include PowerPoint presentations as the materials. There is no PowerPoint presentation playing along side the speaker. You may either print the PowerPoint presentation or view it in a separate window during the presentation.

Yes. Most courses include written materials which are included in the cost. You can access them by clicking on the "Materials" tab while viewing a course.

While viewing the course you will notice a “Materials” tab at the top of the window. Click on this tab and then select the materials you are interested in. Clicking on the materials does not stop the presentation.

You will need the current version of Adobe Reader. If necessary, you can download the latest version for free from the Adobe web site. You can print the written materials from within the Adobe Reader window while you are participating in the seminar, or if you save the written materials to your hard drive you can go back later and open them and print from Adobe Reader.

Course materials and audio cd's may be purchased at www.law.northwestern.edu/professionaled. Click on "Course Materials and Presentations" in the left hand column.

Certain states do limit the number of online CLE hours that attorneys may use to satisfy their CLE requirement. The following states have imposed limitations:

AL: Attorneys may satisfy up to 6 (six) hours of their CLE requirement via approved online courses.

AK: Attorneys may satisfy all of voluntary CLE requirements through online courses.

AZ: Attorneys may satisfy all credits of CLE requirements through online courses.

CA: Attorneys may satisfy all credits of CLE requirements through approved online courses.

CO: Attorneys may satisfy all credits of CLE requirements through online courses.

DE: Delaware attorneys can take up to half of their CLE requirement via approved online CLE as self-study credit. The rules & standards for self-study credit can be found at the Delaware Commission on Continuing Legal Education website at http://courts.state.de.us/cle/ss.htm.

FL: Attorneys may satisfy all credits of CLE requirements through online courses.

GA: Attorneys may satisfy up to 6 (six) hours of their CLE requirement via approved online courses.

IA: Attorneys may satisfy up to 6 credits of CLE requirements through online courses as computer-based legal education under Rule 41.3(3).

ID: Attorneys may satisfy up to 15 self-study credits of CLE requirements through online courses.

IN: Attorneys may satisfy up to 6 (six) hours per 3-year education period via approved online courses.

KS: Attorneys may satisfy up to 5 credits of CLE requirements as alternative delivery methods such as interactive online computer based programs (Kansas CLE Commission Rule 4.14 and 4.15.) In Kansas, computer based programs may be accredited for actual time spent to a maximum of one hour of credit per activity. Note: The professional responsibility credits may not be earned online and can only be carried over as general credits if earned as live in-person programming.

KY: Attorneys may satisfy up to 6 (six) hours of their CLE requirement via approved online courses.

LA: Attorneys may satisfy up to 4 credits of their CLE requirements for self-study credit. Application must be submitted prior to the activity.

ME: Attorneys may satisfy all 5.5 self-study credits through online courses.

MO: Under Missouri Supreme Court Rule 15, up to 6 of the required 15 hours may be satisfied through self-study. Self-study may not be reported to satisfy the ethics requirements of Rule 15 unless special authorization is granted due to a hardship such as a physical disability that makes attendance at programs unreasonably difficult. Also, self-study is excluded from the determination of carryover credit.

MS: Attorneys may satisfy up to three (3) of their CLE requirements via approved online courses.

MT: Attorneys may satisfy 5.0 credits of CLE requirements through online courses.

NC: Attorneys may satisfy up to 4 (four) of their CLE requirements via approved online courses.

ND: Attorneys may satisfy up to 15 credits through self-study, which includes electronic recordings.

NH: Attorneys may satisfy up to 6 credits of CLE requirements through online courses. Course must be pre-approved.

NM: Attorneys may satisfy up to 5 self-study credits of CLE requirements through approved online courses.

NV: Attorneys may satisfy all 12 (twelve) CLE requirements through approved online courses.

NY: Experienced attorneys may satisfy all credits of CLE requirements through online courses.

OH: Gov. Bar R. X and the CCLE Regulations state that an Attorney or Judge may earn no more that six hours of self-study CLE credit during any biennial reporting period.

OK: Attorneys may satisfy up to 3 credits of their CLE requirements through approved online CLE courses.

OR: Attorneys may satisfy all of their CLE requirements via the Internet and/or online.

PA: Lawyers licensed to practi

All course credits listed are based on a 60-minute credit hour. To convert to a 50-minute credit hour multiply the number of credits by 60 and then divide by 50.

If you are seeking CLE credit for an online course you should first make sure that your state accepts this format for CLE credit. The live presentations of our programs are approved for CLE credit in most states so it is likely that you can receive credit for online viewing as well. If you are not sure how to apply on your own or have questions regarding CLE credit, please contact us at 312.503.0094 or professional-ed@law.northwestern.edu. We would be happy to assist you in applying.

Yes. Upon completion of the course, you will have the opportunity to print a Certificate of Attendance for reporting your CLE credits.

No. Your Certificate of Attendance is printed once the course is completed.

To change your contact information or password, log in and click on the User Profile button at the top of the screen. Change your information as necessary and click on the “Save” button to change your record.

If you forgot your password, click on the “Forgot Your Password” link under the Member Login box. Where prompted, enter your e-mail address. Your password will be sent to that e-mail address within minutes.

To change your contact information or password, log in and click on the User Profile button at the top of the screen. Change your information as necessary and click on the “Save” button to change your record.

There are several reasons why you may not be able to hear the audio for a course. If the audio is just starting to load and you have a slow connection to the Internet, it may take some time for the audio to begin streaming. If the Windows Media Player box on the listening screen says "Buffering", simply wait until a connection is started to hear the audio/view the video.

If you're still having trouble hearing the sound/viewing the video after the Windows Media Player box no longer says buffering or connecting:

Check the volume control on your computer to make sure it's not turned down or muted. Verify that your speakers are plugged in and turned on.

Verify that you are using Windows Media Player version 9.0 or better. You can check this by opening Windows Media Player, selecting Help from the toolbar at the top of the screen (make sure you are viewing the page as a full screen), and selecting About Windows Media Player. The version number will be displayed inside the window that pops up. If you do not have version 9.0 or better, you will need to download an up-to-date version of Windows Media Player from our download area.

Another issue could be Internet congestion. If you're certain your computer is working properly, you may want to try listening to the seminar at a different time of day.

If you are not able to get the Windows Media Player to connect to the audio/video at all, check to make sure you don't have a firewall in place that may prevent the streaming. If you don't have a firewall in place, you may need to adjust your Windows Media Player's connection settings.

There are several reasons you may not be able to get past a segment. If you are using AOL, you may need to participate in the online seminar using Internet Explorer - to find out how to do so, click on AOL questions below. If you have listened to a segment that you did not receive credit for, you will need to re-listen to it. As you do so, please be aware you will need to re-listen to the segment completely - the audio will need to stream uninterrupted until the clock on Windows Media Player resets to 00:00.0 to receive credit. If you pause, fast forward, or rewind, you will not get credit for the segment.

Some segments have a few seconds of dead air at their end - be sure to check that the Windows Media Player clock has reset to 00:00.0 before clicking the "Finished Segment" button to receive credit for the segment.

Please make sure you are using an updated version of Internet Explorer, and an updated version of Windows Media Player. Also, please make sure that your security settings are set to medium, and you do not have a firewall impeding streaming media. For users that are in an office environment, and cannot change their security settings, or run updates, you may need to contact your system administrator.

Audio/video streaming technology works quite well most of the time. The stream may be interrupted occasionally because of Internet congestion, especially during peak usage periods. If an interruption occurs, simply wait for the streaming to continue. If you experience multiple or lengthy interruptions, your connection speed may be too slow for video. Please check your internet connection speed and make sure you have selected the correct speed on the website. If you still experience such interruptions, please return to the course at a later time. Additional configuration information may be found by opening Windows Media Player and clicking on the Help tab at the top of the screen.

There are several possible causes for an ASP500 error. Generally, it is caused when your connection to the online seminar site is interrupted. Exiting and re-entering the site will usually fix this type of error.

If exiting and re-entering the online seminar site does not work, try exiting and re-entering your Internet connection.

After clicking your connection speed to view a course, are you receiving this message - "Downloading iFrame: What should Netscape do with this file?" If so, simply click "Cancel" and the video should play. You do not need to save anything to view a course.

If your video screen looks wide, it may be due to the browser you are using. We recommend using Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher for optimum viewing.

There are several reasons your certificate may not be printing. Most of the reasons have to do with your browser. Below are several ways you may be able to get the certificate to print:

Try logging out of the online seminar site and logging on again and printing. Logging out will reset the web page.

Try right clicking on the page and selecting Print.

Try holding down "Control" and "P" at the same time on your keyboard.

If you are using AOL, you may have difficulty printing your certificate, since AOL is not completely compatible with the online seminar site. Please use the workaround for AOL users.

If you are still having trouble, please email us using the "Contact Us" link at the top of the page.

If you experience a crash in mid-segment, you will not receive credit for that segment. You will need to re-enter the online seminar site and re-listen to the segment you were listening to when the computer crashed. Be sure to allow the audio to stream uninterrupted for the full length of the segment. If your browser / Internet connection / computer continues to crash, you may want to try listening to the seminar at a different time of day, when the Internet may be less congested (morning and late evening are recommended).