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Your Guide to Course Accreditation

This guide outlines steps toward accrediting instructor-led offerings. This could be:

an ICA Tomorrow-Ready Certification - core credential & two specialized credentials (14+ hours)

an Agile certification (14+ hours)

a core credential (7+ hours)

a specialized credential (2-4 hours)

Click the steps below to navigate.
ICA_01_Discovery
ICA_02_Design
ICA_03_Development
ICA_04_Session_Preparation
ICA_05_In_the_Session
ICA_06_After_the_Session

Step 1 - Discovery

Determine which offering you would like to accredit and get familiar with Learning Outcomes and requirements.
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Actions 

  • Download Learning Outcomes Matrices via the Additional Resources > Accreditation section of your ica-certified.com profile dashboard. Review the Learning Outcomes and Acceptance Criteria.

  • Review Instructor Requirements to ensure candidate instructors have the necessary domain experience.

  • Important: if you're seeking to accredit a coaching course (i.e. ICP-ACC, ICP-ENT, ICP-CAT, ICP-COA), at least one instructor should meet our professional coaching requirements before you begin work on the course.

 

Tips

  • Not sure which course to accredit? Contact team@ica-certified.com for helpful insights.
  • If you are unable to find a matching learning outcome offering, consider applying for the certification lab.

 

 

 

Step 2 - Design

Design your offering from the ground up to ensure it provides a top-notch learning experience, keeping the principles of adult learning and interaction at the forefront.

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Actions

  • Review the Rubric to get familiar with design requirements.
  • Review our Best Practices for Exceptional Learning Experiences
  • Determine the flow of your course. Think about how many sessions you'll need, how long each will be, and how much time between sessions.
  • Consider the environment(s) in which your course will be delivered and design accordingly. For example, consider how exercises will differ.
  • Optional: Schedule an Early Course Feedback Session once you have a high-level course outline including instructor guidance, and have the content mapped to the matrix. Book this session via the Schedule a Session page.

Tips

  • Note the required minimum hours on the cover page of the matrix. At least 80% of the minimum hours should be covered via synchronous, instructor-led learning.
  • The order of the Learning Outcomes (LOs) within the matrix isn't meant to dictate the order you cover them in your course. Cover the LOs in the order you believe will provide the best experience.
  • Be sure to build in enough time for Learning Outcome activities.
  • You do not need an activity for each Learning Outcome. One activity may meet several outcomes.
  • Not sure what a Learning Outcome means? Contact learning@ica-certified.com.

About the Instructor Guidance

The instructor/facilitator guidance is your playbook to keep the course delivery on track and ensure all Learning Outcomes are met. It does not need to be a dedicated artifact, it may take the form of a word document, spreadsheet, slide notes, canvas, etc. 

Step 3 - Development

Build out your course and map it to ICA's Course Evaluation Matrix.

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Actions

  • Develop all course materials including:

    • Instructor Guidance. Be sure to include important things to remember when delivering specific exercises (e.g. set-up, instructions, debrief). This may also be referenced as a facilitator guide.
    • Timeline. This is a schedule showing when each topic should be covered as well as where exercises and activities fit into the flow. This may be part of your facilitation guidance.
  • Complete the Course Evaluation Matrix, taking care to complete it at both the Learning Outcome level.

Tips

  • Keep in mind that up to 20% of the minimum required hours for the course may be covered through asynchronous learning (e.g. pre- and post-course readings).
  • If you're stuck on how to cover a specific topic, contact learning@ica-certified.com.
  • Remember that you will be able (and encouraged) to continuously improve your course in response to feedback after it's accredited.

About the ICA Required Content

We ask that all ICA-accredited courses incorporate the following:

  • Slides - No need to include this entire slide deck, we simply ask that you share key details relevant to the specific offering.

and, either the:

  • Welcome Video - A brief message from our team celebrating why it's important that your course is accredited by ICA.
  • End of Class Video - An opportunity to encourage learners to continue their learning journey.

Step 4 - Preparing for the Session

Get ready for the formal Course Accreditation Session.

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Actions

  • Refer to our Session Readiness Checklist to ensure you're ready to provide all required artifacts. 

  • Schedule Your Session when you are confident in your ability to provide all materials at least 3 full business days in advance of the session date. Up to two course designers may attend, and Account Managers can schedule a time here. 
  • New Instructors need to prepare a 10-minute teachback of the course. If time allows, and at the accreditor's discretion, we may have time to assess one candidate instructor in the Course Accreditation Session.

Tips

  • Make sure your materials are in early. Our accreditors will often be able to provide their feedback prior to the session. This allows you time to review their feedback and understand the questions they have in advance.
  • If you're submitting materials in a language other than English, please provide them in a format that we can easily translate.
  • If you can't use Google Drive, you can send materials directly to team@ica-certified.com

 

Step 5 - In the Session

The Course Accreditation Session is largely a conversation for your accreditor to ask questions, get to know your course, and provide feedback.

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Actions

  • The accreditor will take you through their initial round of feedback, focusing on the areas where they have questions. This conversation will help them understand your course and your intention behind how a Learning Outcome is met. By the end of the session you will understand the changes that are needed in order to accredit your course.

  • Let us know if your preferred meeting platform is not Zoom so we can schedule the meeting on your preferred platform. We may ask you to set up the meeting on that platform and provide us a link.
  • Ensure your accreditor has access to all materials including any tools for teaching remotely (e.g. Mural, LMS).

Tips

  • The session will be recorded for auditing purposes, please come prepared accordingly.
  • Be prepared to participate via both audio and video.
  • Ensure you have a strong internet connection and are in a place that will minimize distractions.
  • Have all materials, including the completed matrix with the accreditor's notes, handy. 
  • Be prepared to speak to how you will assess learners for certification based on the Acceptance Criteria.


Step 6 - After the Session

Put the finishing touches on your course, prepare to authorize instructors, and begin delivering classes.

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Actions

  • Make any required changes, upload your changes to the original session folder, and contact your accreditor. ICA offers one complimentary follow-up session, if needed. Once the accreditor receives the changes, they will let you know if there are any further steps or if a follow-up session is need.
  • Provide your course title and description to team@ica-certified.com once the course has been formally approved. 
  • Prepare your instructors for Instructor Authorization Sessions.

Tips

  • Be sure to complete any required changes within six months of your session. After six months, we will consider any incomplete sessions concluded and not accredited.
  • Check our Marketing Kit for ideas and assets to promote your newly accredited course. 
  • Contact team@ica-certified.com if your team would like a Member Portal orientation on how to add classes, process rosters, view feedback, and more.


Frequently Asked Questions

Does ICA have reference materials?

The Course Evaluation Matrix is your key resource when developing materials. If you're not sure how to cover a specific Learning Outcome, contact learning@ica-certified.com.

Can ICA conduct sessions in languages other than English?

While we can't guarantee the availability of an accreditor who speaks your native language, you may inquire via team@ica-certified.com. If we are unable to provide an accreditor that speaks your desired language, please bring a translator to the session. 

When booking your session you will have an option to add an additional hour for translation purposes.

Downloadable Resources

Handy references to resources you need in preparation to accredit a new course and authorize instructors, especially if you're unable to access Google-based files.