🚀 go-pugleaf

Dear Marty -

In your message of December 14th, you spoke eloquently about the value of
real world experience and training by organizations other than the
currently accredited academic institutions for professionals.  You may be
surprised to know that I heartily agree with you on the value of your
work experience and other sources of training.

CIPS has tried to find a way to recognize this approach to developing
professionalism - and you of course hit on it in your note - yes, an
examination basis.  This has been a long accepted mechanism for
recognizing academic qualifications.  Even Universities allow you to
challenge their courses and gain credit by passing the final exam.

One thing CIPS could have done (to provide a challenge or testing entry
mechanism for those seeking the ISP) would have been to ask professionals
to take the University exams for the courses leading up to an accredited
degree program.  This would have taken thousands of dollars and weeks of
personal time on a University set timetable.

I believe CIPS has hit on a much more acceptable testing basis - namely
the ICCP exams where the cost is hundreds (instead of thousands) of
dollars and a few hours (instead of weeks) at your own personal
convenience (instead of their schedule).  To get the ICCP designation you
need to take three tests at $US 140 each (one core exam and two specialty
exams of your choice).  The 90 minute tests have 110 multiple choice
questions.  They are offered on-line at any of the Sylvan Testing Centers
in all major Canadian cities.  I don't think we could have made it much
easier.

You were seeking a mechanism outside the academic world to recognize your
abilities and get your ISP and you anticipated my "canned response".  I
still feel it is the right answer for qualified professionals such as
yourself.  And I'd like you to help me prove it to the rest of the
professionals.  Unlike you, some of them feel that the tests are too
difficult to pass.  I am confident that they would be able to pass the
tests as easily as you.  But we have to get over that perception hurdle.

So I am willing to put my money where my mouth is on this.  I'll cover the
costs of your tests (3 x $US 140) if you are willing to spend the time (3
x 90 minutes - less if you finish the tests early of course).  This is all
about getting the ISP, so you will of course have to apply for and receive
your ISP on the basis of having passed the ICCP exams before I will send
you my personal cheque for $US 420.  And to answer your question - No,
this is not sponsored by CIPS.  It's not in the CIPS budget - its from my
own account - my own personal investment in the CIPS professionalism program.

Also, this isn't a totally open ended offer - there needs to be a
reasonable time limit to the offer.  Since you are already technically
prepared, you should be able to complete the three tests in the next few
months, get your certification from ICCP and get your ISP application in
within six months.  You are already a CIPS member so you've got that part
covered.  So if your application is in to the CIPS National Office by June
30, 1996, I will send you the refund when your ISP is awarded.

Together we can demonstrate how easily this mechanism can be used by
professionals such as yourself to get their ISP and be recognized for
their professional qualifications without having to have a degree.  Good
luck.

Please feel free to use the CIPS-L discussion group to keep us posted on
how you are doing on this 1996 project.  At the end of the exercise, maybe
we could write up an item for the national newsletter to inform other
professionals about the ease of using this approach (but they'll have to
cover their own costs!)

All the best,
Ken Chapman, ISP

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Ken Chapman, I.S.P.                    Internet:  chapmank@cuug.ab.ca
  CIPS National Board                  Office:    (403) 231-7411
  Director, Professional Development   FAX:       (403) 237-0254
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