Specialty Degrees

In addition to providing a solid and broad foundation of the fundamentals of the recycling and waste reduction industry through the Professional Recyclers Qualification Training, the CRU will provide Specialty Degrees (SDs) to Qualified Recycling Professionals. These degrees will be designed to meet the specialized and varied needs of the recycling and waste reduction fields.

In order to make the acquisition of such degrees practical for participants while they are working to acquire CEUs for the Qualification Degree, the CRU plans to allow for dual credit recognition wherever possible. Therefore, many workshops, trainings, and courses for Specialty Degrees will also count as CEU contact hours for the Qualification Degree.

To obtain a Specialty Degree, a person will need a total of thirty (30) CRU recognized Contact Hours in that specialty area within a four (4) year period. Some Specialty Degrees may have additional requirements such as tests prior to certification.

SDs will not carry any maintenance or continued education or training requirement after the initial thirty (30) Contact Hours. Once an SD is acquired, it is permanently recognized and recorded by the CRU and a signed Specialty Degree for that topic area is awarded.

Only a person recognized by the CRA as a Qualified Recycling Professional (holding a Qualification Degree) can obtain one or more Specialty Degree(s). However, the Qualification Degree is not a pre-requisite. Therefore, CRA members and others may earn Contact Hours toward one or more SDs up to 2 years in advance of taking the Professional Recyclers Qualification Training Course and/or Test. However, while Contact Hours may be obtained in advance of the Qualification Degree, no SD will be accredited to a person until the Qualification Degree is acquired.

Please note: While appropriate Contact Hours may be applied toward an SD prior to obtaining a Qualification Degree as a Qualified Recycling Professional, no Qualification Degree CEUs will be applied in advance of taking and passing the Professional Recyclers Qualification Training (PRQT) Test.

Organics Recycling Degree
This Degree will teach the science of composting, compost use, leaf & yard waste collection, compost marketing, food residuals, organics collection, home composting and related interests.

Complete a CRU Composting Specialty Degree with the Carolinas Composting School!
Carolinas Composting Council (CCC) School attendees in September will receive 30 CEUs, through the Carolina Recycling University (CRU), upon completion of the intensive four-day course.

The CEUs may be banked towards your Organics Recycling Specialty Degree if you have not already sat for and successfully passed the Professional Recyclers Qualification Training (PRQT) test.

Your CEUs will be realized and all the requirements will be met to obtain your Organics Degree once you pass the PRQT exam. Those who have already sat for and successfully passed the PRQT will be accredited the 30 CEUs automatically once the CCC School is over.

- Course Curriculum

- CCC School Instructors

- Register on-line for the September 2006 Composting School or download a Registration Form

Household Hazardous Waste Degree
This Degree will focus on the establishment, maintenance and management of HHW, electronics, and related programs.

Education & Outreach Degree
This Degree will further examine educational program development, training for the trainer, communications & public relations, youth education, buying recycled, and waste reduction.

Note: The following Degrees are general topic areas that have been identified as training specialties. Feedback from CRA membership, Qualified Recycling Professionals and others is encouraged throughout the development process.

Recycling Economics Degree
This Degree may include course work on developing full cost accounting measures, enhancing program economics, waste auditing, innovative & successful programs and general recycling economics.

Public Policy Degree
This Degree could focus on the creation and use of public policy tools at the local, state, and federal levels to advance waste reduction and recycling program creation and sustainability

Commercial and Industrial Degree
This Degree may be desired to address institutional, business and industry recycling programs and how they work both together and independently of public programs and policies.

Marketing Degree
This Degree could focus on the issues of local, regional, national and international markets for materials as well as material quality control, market contracts, material values, etc.

Collection & Processing Degree
This Degree may offer advanced training on collection system alternatives, Pay-as-You-Throw, licensing & contracting, program evaluation, special wastes, recycling facility design and MRF operations.

Program Administration and Management Degree
This Degree could offer advanced classes in management & leadership skills, personnel management, office organization & management, computer & internet skills, grant writing & administration and preparation of specifications and similar documents.