To date, over 600 professionals have completed the program, and it now exists in three cities: Dallas, and Houston, as well as Oklahoma City. The program has been revised and changed to meet new needs several times over the 12 plus year period, and in 2001/2002, in concert with the newest ASTD research, the program underwent a major reengineering. Two programs emerged: one for New Trainers (typically with 3 years or less experience), and one for Experienced Trainers (three or more years training career experience).

WIIFM? (The familiar "What's in it for me") is a question often asked by trainers as they consider the program. Here is a set of commonly asked questions, and our typical responses.

Question: Where do the competencies that you teach come from?
Answer: ASTD (the national organization) conducts research about every ten years, and looks at the training field; the roles trainers play, the outputs they produce, and the competencies they must have. The published research studies are the basis for the OU/CO-ASTD program. The latest study is called "ASTD Models for Workplace Learning and Performance," and was published in 1999. A study called "ASTD Models for Human Performance Improvement" was published in 1996, and the original program was based on "Models for HRD Practice," published in 1989.

Question: What is the Certificate, exactly, and what will it do for me in my career?
Answer: The Certificate of Achievement from OU is the highest non-credit certificate the University can issue. In order to award it, we must show that the program was born out of a known need, that the competencies are viewed as important or valuable in the field, that there are competent facilitators that teach in the program, and that there is a system for evaluating the transfer of skills and knowledge. The unit within the University that conducts the program must report annually on the performance of the program.

For a participant who earns the Certificate of Achievement, there can be many benefits. While there is no specific national recognition, most ASTD chapters recognize that the Certificate holder has undergone a rigorous professional development course. Many organizations recognize the Certificate, and send all or many of their new trainers through the program. People have reported promotions, salary increases, responsibility and authority increases, and new job opportunities as a result of their program completion. Independent trainers and consultants have reported earning new business as a result of the Certificate. For many organizations pursuing quality standards, certification of their professional trainers is essential.

Question: Who teaches in the courses?
Answer: We have strong criteria for new facilitators. First, we look at people who are well experienced in training and development, and in a variety of roles. Second, we look for people who are continuously and constantly improving their own skills. Increasingly, we look for people who have completed our program. We are now asking that people who teach in the program first complete the course they will be teaching (as a participant).

Question: What do I have to do other than attend the sessions?
Answer: To receive the Certificate of Achievement, a participant has to attend all four core sessions. In addition, each course includes a practical, "put-these-skills-to-work" assignment that participants will complete back at their jobs and organizations, and all of these must be completed satisfactorily.

Many current chapter members have completed the Training & Development Certificate Program, and can attest to the value of the program, and the active learning. Please contact us if you have more questions. Our website is www.ettq.ou.edu. Our phone is (405) 325-0464, and our email is  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

We would love to see you in the program!