Frequently Asked Questions
I am taking a workshop on teamwork. Can this be used as a required credit?
No. The purpose of the International Advancement Certification Program is to provide the participants with actual experience in advancement-related activities and learning.
I have been the Assistant Development Director for the local symphony. Do my years in that position count toward the years of experience needed for the Senior or Leader Level?
For every two years you have worked in an advancement position for a non-independent school organization, you will receive one year’s credit.
Who are the ISM-approved providers of conferences and workshops?
CASE/NAIS, CFRE, and AFP are the most prominent ones. Many state and regional associations offer “position-specific” workshops that would also be acceptable. If you would like credit for attending an advancement-specific conference or workshop offered by another organization, contact the ISM Registrar to discuss the conference’s or workshop’s applicability.
Are there any parameters set on the portfolio? For example, do I need to cite more than one instance of development and completion of a major project related to my school’s goals?
No. Completion of one major project at your school—submitted with a proposed outcome of the project, strategies employed to achieve the goal, a reflection on the project’s successes and failures, and your observations about what you learned from the project—will be sufficient.
Who is the “peer” who will review my portfolio?
The peer will be someone from the ISM Consulting Team or an ISM adjunct faculty member.
Can I submit an application for International Advancement Certification before I accrue all my required credits?
No. When you have fulfilled all the requirements, send the completed application with the appropriate fee by mail to IACP Registrar at 2207 Concord Pike, #417 Wilmington, DE 19803, or email your supporting documentation to IACPregistrar@isminc.com.
Who will conduct my interview?
All interviews will be conducted by a member of ISM’s Consulting Team or by an ISM adjunct faculty member.
Where will the interview take place? If I am unable to travel, can the interview be done via Skype or other type of face-to-face Web-based chats?
The interview can be conducted through Skype or another face-to-face electronic chat program.
I am the Head of a small school and am seeking the Leader Level certification. Where do I get the required documentation that is supposed to come from a supervisor or even the School Head?
If you are a School Head, we would want your Board Chair to act as your supervisor and review and sign all documents.
If I do not qualify for certification, can I get a refund of the application fee?
No. The application fee covers the administrative costs associated with maintaining your records and certifying the applicability of all documentation.
I am certified at the Senior Level. I am two years short of the 10 years of experience required for Leader Level. Can the credits I have specified for the previous certification be used again to meet the requirements for the new certification?
No. The 90 credits required for the Leader Level certificate must be newly earned since the Senior Level certificate was awarded. Many of the same activities you pursued for your Senior Level certificate can be repeated (e.g., attendance at an approved conference and/or workshop, attendance at ISM’s Advancement Academy).
I was unable to attend a full three-day conference. Can I still get partial credit?
No. To gain the full benefits of any workshop, you need to attend the entire course. Exceptions may be made, at ISM’s discretion, for circumstances outside your control (e.g., transportation problems, illness, major emergency).
How will I be expected to document my volunteer activities?
You can document your volunteer activities by keeping a journal or asking a volunteer supervisor to sign a letter validating your time. In either instance, you will need to include a personal reflection about the activity. Keep a copy of the originals of all submitted materials. Submissions will not be returned.
Learn More
To learn more about how our Certification Services can serve your school, email our IACP Manager or call 302-656-4944.