Certification

The Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification allows professionals to demonstrate ongoing learning, competencies, and knowledge in various student affairs fields. Along with a core credential in student affairs work, programs are available in six specific functional areas, including campus housing and residential life.

Student Affairs Certification Fall Prep Program

ACUHO-I, ACUI & NIRSA are excited to host a virtual preparation program series for the following specialty certifications: CHRL (Campus Housing and Residential Life), CU (College Unions) and CR (Campus Recreation). This series will be FREE to members and $25 per session for non-members.

The preparation program series will be offered select Mondays this fall from 3:30–5 p.m. ET (US). Each session will cover one (1) of the eight (8) domains that are contained in the exam. A panel of experts from each association will cover the sub-domains and knowledge & tasks. Participants are encouraged to review the details of each domain in the Candidate Handbook prior to each session. Additional study sessions will be available for each specialty certification.

Registration Link Coming Soon.

• Monday, September 8 – Intro to Certification
• Monday, September 15 – Content Session: Foundations of the Profession
• Monday, September 29 – Content Session: Student Learning, Development and Success
• Monday, October 20 – Content Session: Assessment and Evaluation
• Monday, October 27 – Content Session: Social Justice and Inclusion
• Monday, November 10 – Content Session: Leadership
• Monday, November 17 – Content Session: Talent Management
• Monday, December 1 – Content Session: Crisis and Risk Management
• Monday, December 8 – Content Session: Financial and Facility Management
• Monday, December 15 – Pulling it all Together

ACUHO-I is a founding member of the Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification and is responsible for the Certified Student Affairs Educator-Campus Housing and Residential Life credential. This program is designed exclusively for campus housing and residential life specialists who are mid-level and above, as well as student affairs educators looking to transition into campus housing and residential life specialist and senior-level roles.

Developed by ACUHO-I subject matter experts and built upon the foundation of the core student affairs educator certification, it is a specialty credential for demonstrating continuous learning, competency, and knowledge, which are essential to success in campus housing and residential life work. These domains include:

• Foundations of the Profession
• Assessment and Evaluation
• Crisis and Risk Management
• Financial and Facility Management
• Leadership
• Social Justice and Inclusion
• Talent Management
• Student Learning, Development, and Success

Take advantage of this opportunity to pursue lifelong learning and professional advancement.

Chart Your Course

Make your plans now to start the certification process and take your career to the next level. Enrollment opens each quarter and the certification exam is offered four times a year as well.

The winter cycle begins on January 1

• Application Deadline: Feb. 16

• Exam Deadline: March 31

The spring cycle begins on April 1

• Application Deadline: May 17

• Exam Deadline: June 30

The summer cycle begins on July 1

• Application Deadline: Aug. 16

• Exam Deadline: Sept. 30

The fall cycle begins on October 1

• Application Deadline: Nov. 15

• Exam Deadline: Dec. 31

Once you have achieved your initial certification, ACUHO-I and the other participating associations provide year-round events and programs that qualify for continuing education credits. Watch this page for continually updated information about eligible opportunities.

Whether it is through a webinar, an institute, or a conference session with ACUHO-I, the learning never stops.