Independent Study Institute

Mission Statement

To provide up-to-date training courses for HVACR industry employees outside the confines of a physical classroom.

Student Services

Students receive instructional support as they progress through a course. Chief instructor is Richard Wirtz, A.A.S., C.M.S., Professor Emeritus, Heating and A/C Technology, Columbus State Community College with over 40 years of HVACR training experience.

Students also receive Tech Tips or management focused bulletins on a regular basis as they continue their studies. Students are also eligible to purchase valuable manuals, books and pamphlets published by several other industry associations at reduced prices.

Tuition & Fees

What Tuition Covers: HARDI is dedicated to providing quality training at the lowest possible cost. Tuition covers all student expenses with the exception of postage required to mail examinations back to HARDI. Here's what your tuition provides.

Print-based Courses:

TEXTBOOK: A specially prepared textbook is used to assure that the stated training objectives of the course may be realized.

WORKSHEETS: Several advanced courses require worksheets and/or psychrometric charts. These are provided to active students as needed at no extra cost.

STUDY GUIDE: A second text is provided which is your substitute teacher. Previews, quizzes, hints, all the things that the instructor in a classroom would provide when giving study assignments are included in this important guide.

All Courses Also Include:

EXAMINATIONS: One or more examinations, depending upon the specific course of instruction, are graded and evaluated by the instructional staff. All exams returned include correct answers, page references in text and notes when appropriate.

RETURN ENVELOPES: For your convenience, pre-addressed envelopes in which to mail completed examinations are included with all course materials.

SUPPLEMENTAL NOTES: Tech Tips and other printed notes are provided as you progress through each course. These notes expand your source of information, often including the very latest information on current industry topics.

CERTIFICATE(S): A Certificate suitable for framing and display is awarded for each course successfully completed. A unique certificate is awarded to those who complete all 11 courses.

CEU TRANSCRIPT: Continuing Education Units are awarded for each completed course. A transcript of CEUs earned and details of the training course completed are sent to every graduate. Duplicates are also available upon request at any time, at no extra cost.

PERSONALIZED STUDY SCHEDULE: You also receive a study schedule that indicates when examinations are due and when you should graduate.

REMINDER POSTCARDS: Friendly reminders are sent to keep you on your training schedule.

STUDENT ASSISTANCE: Special "Ask Your Instructor" forms are provided so that you may communicate with the instructional staff about special learning problems. The instructional staff replies with detailed explanations and additional notes when appropriate. You are not left on your own to learn.

SPECIAL DISCOUNTS: As an active student, you have the opportunity to purchase industry training materials and books at reduced cost - up to 50% off in some cases. Catalogs of materials for sale are provided.

ACADEMIC RECORDS: A permanent record system is established listing your training history. All records are kept in a secure location, and a transcript of grades is available at any time, even if you are no longer an active student. (Ten dollars of a new student's fee is used to establish this permanent record system.)

Refund Policy

You will have a period of 10 days in which to examine your training materials. If you feel the course is in any way unsatisfactory, you may cancel your enrollment by notifying the Institute. The Institute will make full refund of all payments.

If you request cancellation more than 10 days from the date of enrollment, the Institute will refund all tuition but retain the matriculation fee of $10.00.

If you request cancellation following the completion of your first examination, the Institute will retain the matriculation fee and refund the balance of tuition based on a pro-rata charge for examinations graded by the Institute.


HARDI Member/Non-member Fees

Non-members of HARDI may enroll in courses at the lower member fee if sponsored by a local HARDI Distributor. Please contact HARDI for the names of HARDI distributors in your area.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

What is the CEU?

The CEU is a nationally recognized, standard unit of measurement awarded by colleges, professional societies, trade associations and other organizations. Under the CEU system, one unit is awarded for every ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience, under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction.

What does the CEU mean to you and your career?

CEUs may serve as a record of maintenance or improvement of professional competence, career advancement or for other purposes where evidence of professional advancement may be required or beneficial.

Under the Independent Study Institute CEU system - you will have a permanent confidential "transcript" for each course you have successfully completed. You may also have your cumulative record made available - at any time - to persons authorized by you.

START NOW TO ACCUMULATE YOUR CEUs AND BUILD A PERMANENT RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT