Certification Quality Standards – The Highest Standards include Exams and Courses from Top Business Schools and Law Schools for Higher Standards in Professional Designations.

Professional Designations in the United States and internationally have a long history. Legal cases such as the IBANEZ decision of the Supreme Court dictate that bone fide “board certifications” or “professional designations” have special criteria which includes:

1)     Accredited Education, 2) Assessment, 3) Degree 4) Continuing Education and 5) Ethics/Professionalism 6) Experience.

2)     The Peel and Ibanez US Supreme Court Decision spell out the rules for proper use of certifications, designations, and qualifications for lawyers and professionals.

3)     Professional designations are not regulated like certificates and degrees because they are not offering post secondary education and fit into the category of “Professional Development”

According to George Mentz, Esq, in the last 50 years, many top certifying bodies have NOT required an accredited degree or diploma to become a member. Many of the top certifying bodies merely require experience and to take a test or quiz at a testing shop at a mall or street location. However, the expansion of business schools, eLearning, and MOOCs Massive Online/Open Courses have changed assessment, exams and course delivery. “As a policy, we have always required an accredited diploma.” Says Counselor Mentz.

The GAFM Global Academy of Finance and Management has been offering professional designations to those who complete Level II “Double Accredited” business schools since 2003. By legal agreements direct with CHEA recognized Accreditation agencies, the GAFM was the first to directly accept and approve top business school exams, courses and degrees for credit toward meeting the educational component for Certification under the Ibanez Supreme court dictates.

Types of Certifications and Accreditation Standards – Level II is the Highest

Certification requiring Level 2 Accredited education and exams. This is the highest form of educational requirements. This education is generally preferred for state licensure and for certifications from organizations such as the Global Academy of Finance and Management since 2003-4. Level 2 means that both the college or university are accredited AND the business school is also separately nationally-accredited by a government recognized body. The ACBSP Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, AACSB and ABA are examples of level 2 accreditation while education from an ABA American Bar Association education would also be level 2. SEE: ACBSP AACSB EQUIS and ABA or graduate law school. The Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognizes these accreditation agencies.

In this new paradigm of e-Learning, MOOCs, and other non traditional education, we are now demanding higher standards. To earn a certification through Level II education, you must:

1.     Apply and become accepted into a Level II business school.

2.     Take the required courses and exams to achieve certification eligibility.

3.     Successfully complete approved and accepted exams and courses at a Level II business school and institution such as: Yale, Harvard, Stanford, MIT, UVA, LSU, University of California, University of Colorado, Louisiana State University etc.

To learn more, read the ACBSP or CHEA agreement. Go to http://www.gafm.com

The GAFM Global Academy of Finance and Management is a charter signatory of the CHEA Quality Standards USA and is TUV Accredited and ISO 29990 Certified for Certification Assessment/Training.

The GAFMs and the IOQM International Organization for Quality Management are part of the International Board of Standards which is a Charter Signatory of the CHEA quality standards Memo. The GAFM and IOQM are recognized by the ACBSP Accreditation Council for Business Schools and programs and directly accepts AACSB education.

*Most State and Sovereign Governments worldwide prefer Level II Accreditation for the purposes of business school standards, top MBA programs, or becoming a CPA or Chartered Accountant. Further, Government recognized Bar Accredited Education is required for a legal education and licenses. In a Level 2 accreditation, the college or university and the business school are separately accredited, but the accounting program may not be separately accredited. This level applies to a business school that is accredited by an organization recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as a specialized or professional accrediting organization, such as the AACSB or the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Level II: Accreditation is associated with a business school or college or business; the institution must be accredited by a national accreditation agency recognized by the board

• Note: A degree, MBA, MSc, or credential based on a Level 2 education is more widely accepted globally than qualifications or degrees that do not maintain “Level 2” Status. Further, course credits are more easily transferable with reciprocity from Level 2 business schools and institutions that are double accredited. * A key legal note is that a certification/designation is not a “certificate, diploma or academic qualification”.