How do I get access to these courses?

Once you registered via the Academy's website (www.academyci.com) or by calling the Registrar directly -(US) 888-732-6812 or (International) +1-630-983-5530 - and paid your invoice, we will send you a login, password and operating instructions. In addition, we will give you access to the web streaming videos and details for downloading materials for each of the courses (e.g. Harvard Business School cases) which you can print out at your leisure.

Please Note: It is recommended that you view the videos outside of a work environment due to unknown firewall issues.

How different are the online Distance Learning courses from the Live Workshops? What are the advantages of each?

The Distance Learning courses are edited from a program that was filmed in a live setting. We created this Distance Learning for those who for whatever reason find it difficult to travel to a live course. However, live workshops remain the best way to truly receive world-class training. Inevitably, the questions you ask in class, the exercises you go through and the one-on-one interaction with colleagues and faculty during breaks and case analyses help you apply the material to your specific needs. Still, if you can’t travel, providing you with video of an actual class and the same set of notebooks and case material, combined with the private student Webcasts, is the best approximation of a live experience.

How can I receive the Academy’s CIP™ certification by attending only the Distance Learning programs? Are the requirements any different than if I attended the Live Workshops?

The requirements for students attending the Distance Learning or the Live Workshops are the same. There are two certification levels (CIP-I and CIP-II) and with two exams, one for the basic and one for the advanced courses, so you can show your company some concrete achievement for their training dollars faster. You must register and pay for all courses 1-5 for the basic CIP-I certification and courses 6-9 for the CIP-II advanced certification (evening courses are not included in the certification requirements) and you must pass the certification exam(s) which we distribute to all those who have completed the Live Workshops or the Distance Learning courses. You cannot receive the CIP-II certification without first receiving the CIP-I certification.

After I receive a login and password to the Distance Learning program, how long will I have access to the program?

We offer no strict time limit. You have access to the Distance Learning workshops indefinitely. Our recommendation though is for students to take the entire program within 18 months so that you can recall the class discussion and the exercises you practiced well enough to succeed when taking the qualifying exams.

What study materials do I receive along with my Web access to the program?

You receive access to the web streaming videos and details for downloading materials for each of the courses (e.g. Harvard Business School cases) which you can print out at your leisure.

What does a “private student webcast” offer? How tailored will it be to meet my needs?

In December/January and June/July, the Academy will schedule a one-hour Web teleconference for the main courses in the certification program. The instructors assigned to the course will lead each of the Webcasts. For example Leonard Fuld or Michael Sandman will deliver the Webcast session covering the “Intelligence Sources & Collection Techniques.” Ben Gilad will deliver the one-hour session on “Competitive Blindspots.” We will notify all students in advance and encourage them to submit questions to the instructor prior to the Webcast. The instructor will review a number of course highlights and make every attempt at answering your questions during this session.

Would it make sense for me to mix-and-match the Distance Learning courses with the Live Workshops?

If you do not have travel budget that will allow you to attend a Live Workshop, consider taking some Distance Learning courses and coming to live classes once your travel restrictions are lifted. That way you can still get some of the obvious benefits from getting to know our instructors. If you can’t afford to travel, you can take all your courses in the Distance Learning format. The content is the same.

Can I attend a Live Workshop for the same course for which I already completed as a Distance Learning course?

We have had students retake courses over the years. If you feel you would like to reinforce the course lessons or prefer the Live Workshop setting we encourage you do so. Please note: We do not give any credit or discount for retaking a course.

How much time should I give myself to take all nine certification courses and when I decide to take the certification exam?

We strongly recommend you complete your coursework within 18 months. This applies to both the Live Workshops and to the Distance Learning version.

How many on line courses can I take simultaneously?

As many as you wish. However, we do recommend a logical progression from basic courses which lay the analytical foundation to advanced courses which apply it.

How Does CI 101® Online differ from the Distance Learning and the Live Workshops?*

CI 101® Online is a short introductory Web-based course of no more than a few hours. Its purpose is to describe and demonstrate the value of CI to managers in your business. It was created with the “CI customer” in mind and not for training those who need intelligence collection and analysis skills. CI 101® Online began as a live course offered for The Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals and taught by one of the Academy’s faculty, Michael Sandman. Once again, the three-hour CI 101® Online course does not replace the Academy’s in-depth Live Workshops or Distance Learning courses and is not part of certification.

Who do I contact if I have any questions?

Please contact the Registrar, Lynne Smith at (US) 888-732-6812 or (International) +1-630-983-5530, or via e-mail at lsmith@academyci.com.

*CI 101® and CI 202® are Registered trademarks of Fuld & Company.