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Certified Educational Planner:

A Mark of Distinction

A Certified Educational Planner (CEP) has achieved a rigorous

level of educational and training standards.

A CEP is an experienced professional who is committed to providing accurate, timely, unbiased advice to students

and families.

The Certified Educational Planner Program

• Creates expectations for ethical, qualified educational advising.

• Establishes national standards for both educational consultants and school-based college counselors.

• Recognizes value-oriented, knowledgeable counselors and consultants.

• Assures expanded knowledge and professional commitment.

• Provides the public a guide within which to select a qualified service provider.

BECOMING A CERTIFIED EDUCATIONAL PLANNER

The Three Parts To The CEP Application

Part 1: Documenting Your Education

One gains credit in the education area through one or more of these factors:

• Degree• Coursework in relevant subjects• Educational experiences• Educational consultant/counselor training

programs• Licensure and certification

Part 2: Documenting Your Experiences

One gains credit in the experiences, activities and leadership category through one or more of these:

• Educational consulting experience• School-based college counseling experiences• Other educationally-related paid experiences• Consulting to organizations• Speaking/moderating• Honors and awards• Books/articles published• Volunteer service• Leadership and/or memberships in professional

associations

Part 3: Subscribing to Ethical Guidelines

The guidelines are demonstrated by:• Providing professional references showing character,

ability, and reputation.• Commitment to the code of ethical practices.

The Board Certified Examination covers:

• Institutional Knowledge• Professional Knowledge

The Examination: Institutional Knowledge

The applicant is given the names of three colleges, schools or "at risk teen" facilities from the list of 25 institutions identified in his/her application. For each institution, questions target:

• The type of student who might be happy and best served

• The admission criteria• The stand out features or attributes of the school• An example of a similar school• A description of the physical plant• The environment in which the school is located and

influences of surrounding communities

The Examination: Professional Knowledge

The applicant is given three cases covering self reported field(s) of professional expertise.

Specifically, after reading each case, the applicant is asked

to • Describe a plan of action in working with the

student. • Assess college/school characteristics that

would be right for the student.• Provide and rationalize specific institutional

recommendations. Cases may also include an assessment of specific counseling

techniques; sensitivity to individual student needs, ethics, confidentiality, and legal issues; and steps in the process of searching for appropriate educational options.

Certified Educational Planners Are Recertified Every Five Years Based On:

• Earning continuing education units and participating in ongoing professional development (Specifically, documenting a minimum of 100 continuing education hours or equivalencies.)

• Continuing visits and enhanced knowledge of colleges and schools. (Specifically, documenting a minimum of 75 site visits to colleges, schools or institutions for at risk teens.)

In addition, CEPs sign affirmations of accuracy and ethical guidelines, and pay an annual renewal fee.

Commission on CredentialingCertification is given and maintained by the American

Institute of Certified Educational Planners (AICEP) and supervised by its Commission on Credentialing:

Steven R. Antonoff, Ph.D., CEP, Educational Consultant, ColoradoJean H. Baldwin, M.A., CEP, Educational Consultant, District of

ColumbiaFrancine E. Block, Educational Consultant, PennsylvaniaBernard DeGraw, CEP, Guidance Counselor, New York

William S. Dingledine, Jr., M.S., CEP, Educational Consultant, South Carolina

Shirley Levin, M.A., CEP, Educational Consultant, MarylandRosalind P. Marie, Ed.S., CEP, Educational Consultant, Alabama

Lorine Potts-Dupré, Ph.D., CEP, Educational Consultant, MarylandMichael W. Spence, CEP, Educational Consultant, Massachusetts

Linda Zimring, Los Angeles Unified School District, California

Testimonials"Over the next decade I hope the CEP will become the gold

standard for identifying qualified educational consultants. In the past, the lack of a clear set of certification standards

has allowed numerous poorly-qualified individuals to promote themselves as college consultants."

—Steven T. Syverson, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin

"CEP is the panache that my families expect. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, accountants…each profession requires

preparation, internships and certification. I am proud to be a Certified Educational Planner. Through visits,

professional courses, and meetings, the CEP designation separates one from the 'wanna be' educational

consultants."

—Jill Q. Porter, MS, CEP, La Jolla, California

Testimonials“Recently, I ranked my professional credentials by quality

and substance. I realized I was wasting money joining a few ‘associations’ that require little for membership but are recognized nationally. These are the ones that

ask basically for your name, address and a check. There was no substance, purpose, or benefit other

than listing yourself as a member. The CEP has substance and purpose and made the others seem

silly. I dropped them.The requirements of certification are standards that not

everyone is willing to meet. Proof of ongoing professional development, education, contribution,

school assessment and peer review sets the certified consultant apart.”

—Jean H. Baldwin, M.A., CEP, Washington, DC

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For more information: www.aicep.org