Introduction: All about Scrum Alliance SEUs
As a professional in the Agile world, maintaining your Scrum certification is vital to keeping your skills relevant and competitive. And one of the critical requirements for renewal is earning Scrum Education Units® (SEUs®) issued by the Scrum Alliance.
But what exactly are SEUs®, and how can you earn them? This article will dive deep into All about Scrum Alliance SEUs and how to earn them.
What Are SEUs®, And Why Are They Important?
SEUs® stand for Scrum Education Units® and measure your participation in Agile education and training. They serve as proof of your continued proficiency in the underlying principles and practices of Scrum and are required for renewing your Scrum certification, such as CSM®, A-CSM®, CSP-SM®, CSPO®, A-CSPO®, CSP-PO®, CSD®, and CSP®.
SEUs® are earned at a 1:1 ratio, meaning that for every hour spent in preparation or participation, you earn one SEU®. To maintain your certification for two more years, you must submit a specific number of SEUs® along with a renewal fee.
Why SEUs® Are a Big Deal for Your Career
Keeping your Scrum certification active with SEUs® is like telling employers and clients, “Hey, I’m still on top of my game!” It’s proof you’re committed to learning and growing, which is a big deal in the Agile community. Companies love hiring Scrum Masters, Product Owners, or Agile Coaches who stay current with trends, and SEUs® are your way of showing that dedication. Plus, earning them keeps you connected to the Scrum Alliance’s mission of spreading Agile goodness worldwide.
If you’re also managing PMP certification, you might want to understand what PDUs are and how they differ from SEUs.
How Many SEUs Are Needed For CSM Renewal?
The number of SEUs® you need depends on your certification level. Here’s a quick look at what’s required:
|
Certification
|
SEUs Required
|
Renewal
|
|---|---|---|
|
Professional (CSP®-SM, CSP®-PO, CSP®, CAL II)
|
40
|
$250
|
|
Advanced (A-CSM®, A-CSPO®)
|
30
|
$175
|
|
Foundational (CSM®, CSPO®, CSD®)
|
20
|
$100
|
|
Leadership (CAL-E, CAL-O, CAL-T)
|
10
|
$50
|
These requirements are designed to match where you’re at in your Scrum journey, whether you’re just starting out or leading the charge as a seasoned pro. With a bit of planning, you can hit these targets while leveling up your Agile skills.
Ways to Earn SEUs®
The Scrum Alliance gives you six flexible categories to earn SEUs®, so you can pick activities that fit your goals and lifestyle. Let’s break them down with some practical ideas and tips to make the most of each one.
1. Scrum Alliance And Partners Scrum Gatherings
Nothing beats hanging out with other Agile fans at Scrum Alliance events. These gatherings are a goldmine for earning SEUs® and making connections. Here’s what you can dive into:
Global and Regional Gatherings: Think of events like the Global Scrum Gathering or Regional Scrum Gatherings as your chance to soak up knowledge from industry leaders. A full day at one of these can net you up to 8 SEUs®. Imagine walking away with new ideas and a handful of SEUs® after a day of workshops and keynotes!
Scrum Coaching Retreats: These are like boot camps for advanced Scrum skills. You might spend a few days diving deep into coaching techniques and walk away with 10–15 SEUs®.
User Group Activities: Local Scrum Alliance user groups host meetups, workshops, or discussions. A 2-hour meetup could earn you 2 SEUs®, plus you get to swap stories with other Scrum folks.
Training and Coaching: Sign up for courses or one-on-one coaching with Certified Scrum Trainers (CSTs), Certified Team Coaches (CTCs), Certified Enterprise Coaches (CECs), or Registered Education Providers (REPs). A 2-day Advanced ScrumMaster course? That’s 16 SEUs® in your pocket.
Pro Tip: Pop over to the Scrum Alliance events calendar to plan your next meetup or gathering. It’s a great way to meet mentors and peers who can inspire your Agile journey.
2. Education Events
Learning doesn’t always mean sitting in a classroom. The Scrum Alliance counts a wide range of education events toward SEUs®. Here are some options:
Face-to-Face Training: Sign up for Agile or Scrum courses from approved providers. A day-long course on Agile Product Management could earn you 8 SEUs®.
Coaching or Mentoring: Work with a coach or mentor to fine-tune your Scrum skills. A 5-hour mentoring session means 5 SEUs® and some serious growth.
Agile Conferences: Events like Agile2025 or SAFe Summit are packed with Scrum-focused sessions. A 3-day conference could get you 15–20 SEUs® while exposing you to new ideas.
User Group Events: Join local or virtual meetups, like Agile webinars or discussions, for 1–3 SEUs® per session.
Online Self-Paced Courses: Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or Scrum Alliance partners offer courses you can do on your own time. A 10-hour course on Agile Leadership? That’s 10 SEUs®.
Pro Tip: Pick courses or events that match your career goals, like learning advanced facilitation or mastering backlog refinement, to earn SEUs® while tackling your weak spots.
3. Volunteer Service
Giving back to the Agile community is a win-win—you earn SEUs® and build your leadership skills. The Scrum Alliance loves when you contribute without expecting a paycheck. Try these:
Organizing User Group Events: Plan a local Scrum meetup and earn up to 5 SEUs® per event. It’s a chance to shine as a leader!
Mentoring Newcomers: Guide new CSM® or CSPO® holders through their first steps. A 10-hour mentoring gig could earn you 10 SEUs®.
Speaking at Events: Share your Scrum wisdom at a conference or user group. A 1-hour talk might earn you 3 SEUs® for prep and delivery.
Pro Tip: Keep a detailed log of your volunteer work—dates, hours, and what you accomplished—to make submitting SEUs® a breeze.
4. Independent Learning
Love learning on your own? Independent learning is a flexible way to earn SEUs® while digging into Scrum and Agile topics. Here’s what counts:
Preparing a Scrum Presentation: Spend 5 hours crafting a talk for a user group (even if you don’t present it) and earn 5 SEUs®.
Writing Content: Write a blog post, article, or even a book on Scrum or Agile. A 1,000-word blog post might take 4 hours and earn 4 SEUs®.
Watching Videos: Check out Scrum or Agile videos from non-CST instructors. A 2-hour video series gets you 2 SEUs®.
Reading Books: Dive into a book like Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time by Jeff Sutherland. Spend 10 hours reading and reflecting, and you’ve got 10 SEUs®.
Other Activities: Create a Scrum case study or research Agile frameworks. Just track your time to claim those SEUs®.
Pro Tip: Keep a journal of your learning—jot down hours spent and key takeaways. It’ll make submitting SEUs® super easy.
5. Other Collaborative Learning
Teaming up with other Scrum practitioners is a great way to learn and earn SEUs®. Here’s how:
Co-Training: Co-facilitate a training session with another pro to pick up new techniques. A 6-hour session earns 6 SEUs®.
Live Webinars: Join webinars by non-CST trainers. A 2-hour session on Kanban and Scrum could earn 2 SEUs®.
Peer Discussions: Get together with other Scrum folks for study groups or discussions. A 4-hour session earns 4 SEUs®.
Pro Tip: Join Agile communities on LinkedIn or Slack to find study groups or webinars and connect with practitioners worldwide.
6. Other Professional Development
The Scrum Alliance also gives SEUs® for activities that boost your Scrum expertise. Think outside the box:
Agile Project Management Courses: Take courses like PMI-ACP or SAFe certifications to earn SEUs® while expanding your skill set.
Industry Certifications: Pursue related certifications like Lean Six Sigma or DevOps, as long as they tie back to Scrum.
Workplace Contributions: Lead an Agile transformation at work. Document 10 hours of effort, and you’ve got 10 SEUs®.
Pro Tip: Double-check with the Scrum Alliance to make sure your activity qualifies, especially for unique professional development.
Step-By-Step Process For SEUs® Renewal
Submitting SEUs® is pretty straightforward. Here’s how to do it without breaking a sweat:
- Log In: Head to your Scrum Alliance account at https://www.scrumalliance.org/login.
- Go to Settings: Click “My Settings” in the top right corner.
- Hit the Dashboard: Select “Certification Dashboard” from the menu.
- Manage SEUs®: Find the grey “Manage SEUs®” button under “My Credentials.”
- Pick a Category: Choose the right SEU® category from the drop-down menu.
- Fill in the Details: Add the activity title, date, hours spent, and a quick description.
- Submit and Pay: Once you’ve got enough SEUs®, submit them with the renewal fee for your certification.
Pro Tip: Keep receipts, certificates, or notes from your SEU® activities handy. It’ll make the process smooth and help with any follow-up questions from the Scrum Alliance.
Tips to Earn SEUs® Like a Pro
Balancing a busy schedule while earning SEUs® can feel tricky, but these tips will help you stay on track:
- Plan Your Two Years: Map out a 2-year plan for SEUs® based on your renewal cycle. Pick events, courses, or volunteer gigs that fit your life.
- Find Freebies: Look for free webinars, user group meetups, or open-source Agile content to earn SEUs® without spending a dime.
- Mix and Match: Hit up a conference that offers both learning sessions and volunteer opportunities to rack up SEUs® in multiple categories.
- Track as You Go: Log your SEU® activities in a spreadsheet or the Scrum Alliance dashboard in real time to avoid a last-minute rush.
- Stay Connected: Follow Agile communities on platforms like X or LinkedIn to hear about upcoming events and learning opportunities.
Overcoming Common SEU® Challenges
Let’s be real—earning SEUs® isn’t always smooth sailing. Here’s how to tackle common roadblocks:
- No Time?: Focus on quick wins like 1-hour webinars or 2-hour meetups if your schedule’s packed.
- Tight Budget?: Go for free or low-cost options like volunteering or self-paced online courses.
- Unsure What Counts?: Check the Scrum Alliance’s SEU® policy or reach out to their support team to confirm your activities qualify.
- Losing Track?: Use an app or spreadsheet to log hours and activities so you’re ready for the renewal deadline.
What’s Next for SEUs® and Agile Learning?
The Agile world is always changing, and the Scrum Alliance keeps its SEU® requirements in step with new trends. Hot topics like Agile DevOps, scaled frameworks like SAFe or LeSS, and even AI-driven Agile practices are becoming more relevant. By jumping into learning activities that cover these areas, you’ll earn SEUs® while getting ready for what’s next in Agile.
Plus, virtual learning has made earning SEUs® easier than ever. Online conferences, webinars, and self-paced courses mean you can learn from anywhere—no plane ticket required. Keep an eye on Scrum Alliance newsletters or Agile-focused platforms like X to stay in the loop on these opportunities.
Wrapping It Up
Earning Scrum Education Units® is your key to keeping your Scrum certification active and your career thriving in the Agile world. With six flexible categories—Scrum Alliance events, education, volunteering, independent learning, collaborative learning, and professional development—you’ve got plenty of ways to meet renewal requirements while growing your skills. With a little planning and a passion for learning, you’ll not only keep your certification current but also establish yourself as a go-to leader in the Agile community.
So, what are you waiting for? Start exploring SEU® opportunities today and keep rocking your Scrum journey! And if you’re juggling both PMP and Scrum certifications, don’t forget to check whether renewing your PMP is still a smart move.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
No, If an SEU has been used earlier, it can’t be reused again for renewal. In addition, all SEUs® being used for renewal must have been earned within the past two years
SEUs Are Not Transferable, And They Cannot Be Sold Or Traded. They Are Awarded To The Individual Who Participates In The Activity And Earns Them.
SEUs are valid for two years from the date they are earned. After two years, they will expire, and you will need to earn additional SEUs to maintain your Scrum Alliance certification.
