CUSP FAQs
How Can We Help?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CUSP?
The Chesapeake Urban Stormwater Professionals (CUSP) is a free professional training program led by the Chesapeake Stormwater Network.
There are two courses offered under the CUSP training umbrella: Science and Stormwater Practices, and Stormwater Policy and Programs. Each course contains a 10-module curriculum that includes live webinars, which will also be recorded for those who cannot attend live, as well as supplemental resources, interactive engagements, knowledge checks, and more.
Who is CUSP for?
While anyone is welcome, CUSP is ideal for:
-
Undergraduate and graduate students interested in careers in green infrastructure and watershed restoration. The program prepares you for roles in the public or private sector in areas such as development/stormwater plan review, MS4 program management, watershed restoration, and stormwater outreach and education.
-
Early career professionals (or those transitioning careers) in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The program can help those who administer their MS4 permits, handle stormwater plan review or implement local watershed restoration plans, as well as provide contractual support to a municipality/county and want to get more training to do their jobs better.
-
Program staff from environmental advocacy groups, local watershed groups, and stewards/master gardeners that want to learn more about the environmental potential of better local stormwater and restoration programs.
-
Should I take Course 1, Course 2, or both?
You’re welcome to join us for one — or both — whichever works best for you! Just be sure to register for each course separately.
To help you decide which course is the best fit, take a moment to explore the course descriptions and schedules on our main CUSP page. These resources should help you get a feel for the content each course offers, and aid you in your decision.
If you’re still having trouble deciding, feel free to email us!
When does the program run?
Science and Stormwater Practices will take place during the month of July. However, participants will have until the end of August to complete all 10 of the assignments.
Stormwater Policy and Programs will take place during the month of October. Participants will have until the end of November to complete all 10 of the assignments.
Participants have the option to view the webinars live on the scheduled dates, or watch the recordings at a later date when it’s convenient for them. Participants will have access to the recordings within 24 hours of the live broadcast.
What does the program include?
Participants who successfully complete CUSP will:
-
Receive a signed CSN certificate of completion
-
Have the option to receive CEUs or PDHs through our partnership with Morgan State University – Center for Continuing Professional Studies
-
Have the ability to attend our second annual Stormwater Career Symposium and our Stormwater Tour and Networking event (date, time, and locations forthcoming).
-
Be given priority access to a full or partial scholarship to attend a future Bay-wide Stormwater Partners Retreat — the premier networking and information-sharing event in the region
-
Be given priority registration access to upcoming exclusive CSN career development and professional networking events
-
How do I officially complete the course?
To earn a completion certificate for either course, you must complete all 10 of the listed assignments which includes viewing the webinars (live or as a recording) and office hours sessions.
What if I can’t attend all the webinars?
You can still watch the recording on your own time! As long as you view the recording by the end of the program, it will count towards your completed assignments.
How interactive is CUSP?
Our goal is to make the training fun, interesting, and useful, which is why we are continuing to build more engagement and peer-to-peer networking opportunities into the program. For 2026, we plan to host our second annual Stormwater Career Symposium and at least one Stormwater Tour and Networking event (both in-person). CUSP also allows participants to communicate with each other, share job postings, and post resources.
When does registration open?
Will this year’s CUSP program be very different from last year’s? What if I already took CUSP?
While we’ve made lots of changes to the CUSP program this year, rest assured many of the same themes, science, and core components will be covered. Each year we make sure to update the science and provide new case studies, but the core components of CUSP remain throughout.
This seems like a valuable program. Why is it free? What's the catch?
No catch — just a commitment on our end to make evidence-based resources available and accessible to stormwater management professionals and community members advancing efforts to restore our watershed. We owe a great deal of gratitude to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and other sponsors, for making it possible for us to offer this program for free!
Can I receive continuing education units (CEUs) or professional development hours (PDHs) for completing CUSP?
CSN offers a free certificate of completion to anyone who fulfills all course requirements. Please note that this certificate does not include documentation of total learning hours. Because some agencies require detailed records to verify contact hours, we encourage participants who need that level of documentation to pursue the CEU/PDH option described below.
Because CSN recognizes the importance of accessible, low‑ or no‑cost professional development, we partner with Morgan State University – Center for Continuing and Professional Studies to offer CEUs/PDHs at a significantly reduced rate. Participants seeking these accreditations pay only a $25 fee, while CSN covers the remaining cost to keep the program as affordable as possible.
To earn CEUs/PDHs, participants must complete all 10 required assignments in their selected course, including the associated knowledge checks.
For context, a single credit at a local community college typically costs $125 for in‑county residents and $425 for out‑of‑state residents, not including additional fees—making CSN’s CEU/PDH option an exceptional value.
What if I tried CUSP in previous years but never finished?
Try again this year! As of 2026, we’ve split the CUSP training program into two separate courses with the hope that it will be more accessible and easier to fit into busy schedules. You can take one course this year, and tackle the other course next year if that works for you. You can also complete both in the same year if your time allows.
What if I don’t complete CUSP?
That’s okay! We understand CUSP is a time commitment, and we believe even if you are not able to complete the required number of engagements to receive a certificate, it will still be a valuable use of your time.
Have more questions not answered here?
Get in touch! You can contact Missy Lauterbach, CSN’s Education and Training Coordinator.