Credentialing

Credentialing Administration

The Strategic Learning Alliance manages the licensure of SLA accredited programs and administers 3rd party accreditation and credentials for SLA applied professional certification programs using a blend of subject matter expert guidelines for business performance (Board of Advisors standards) as well as academic merits to warrant conferral of AACSB (top 15% schools of business) credits for applied professional certifications (SLA Credentialing Committee standards).

These standards are researched, tested, and measured in cooperation with the following institutions: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI), Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), SHRM College Consortium, and multiple research firms.

In addition, various college institutions sponsored SLA efforts from 1979 to 2016 including:

  • Boise State University,
  • Seattle Pacific University,
  • College of Development & Training, Ontario;
  • University of Utah;
  • University of Wisconsin;
  • University of Washington;
  • Capella University;
  • University of Dubi;
  • University of California;
  • Oxford, Princeton, Harvard, and more.

Standards of Certification

Measurement of Success


Ability to learn and test at the top 20% of current professional level in a given field;


Ability to demonstrate applied learning through observed measurement to warrant top 20% of AASCB academic performance;


Complete competencies with scores high-enough to demonstrate predictive ability to advance both professionally and academically within a specific career track.

Performance Requirements

Unlike other certifications that rely only on subject matter content and examination to ensure recipients demonstrate tested knowledge to be considered a top 20% performer, the SLA also requires a learning experience and performance based on the highest academic accreditation standards (courses must meet AASCB standards to be approved as an SLA program). This means that SLA candidates must meet tested, observed, and applied metrics to successfully earn certification through a learning program and simulated exam experience. The result is that candidates certified by the SLA have a 94% likelihood of professional success within a field (moving from non-exempt to exempt roles) but perform within the top 20% of a graduate-level course.

3rd Party Accreditation

Learning Programs

Learning-based programs seeking 3rd party accreditation through the SLA must:


Design and offer to the public learning programs that measure academic and applied business principles established by the SLA Credentialing Committee.


Set content for examination based upon guidance from a Professional Board of Advisors.


Maintain learner success standards based upon applied performance results (95% completion rates or higher)

Board of Advisors

Each certification has a Professional Board of Advisors to set content requirements in their specific field.

The board members must all hold the highest business certification in their field AND/OR be approved faculty at AASCB (top 15% schools of business) colleges for the approved board of advisors positions they hold.
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