Web-Based Synchronous Courses

The courses have “Audience Levels” listed on their pages. What does this mean for me?

Each learner brings a unique skill set to the table, and ALA wants to ensure that you are taking a course that advances your knowledge and skills. For this reason, the following terms are used to describe the courses:

Basic-Intermediate: Presents foundational terms and processes and then builds on them with higher-level content to provide a deeper and/or broader understanding (FM1 and HR1 Courses). Suitable for learners with some degree of skill or competence.

Intermediate: Higher level content will be shared so learners can deepen their knowledge and develop new skills (FM2 and HR2 Courses). Basic terms and processes may be referenced, but only as a recall mechanism. Suitable for learners that already have some foundational knowledge of the topics.

What is a 6-week instructor-led, web-based course?

Each course is 6 weeks in duration with 1 lesson per week. The week begins on Monday and ends on Sunday. Learners will have access to a course instructor and an administrator who are accessible throughout the duration of the course to instruct and support learners.

Learners also gain access to the online classroom approximately 1 week prior to the official start date to access the syllabus and discussion area. Once a course has ended, learners will be able to access the classroom for an additional 10 weeks to view and download the course content. In total, learners will have 16 weeks to access the course.

Each week consists of a focused topic of discussion and weekly assignments. These assignments include discussion questions, reading and topic-related assignments (i.e. writing assignments, interviews, web-related research work). The topic of the week is discussed amongst the instructors and learners within a discussion area. To receive a course completion certificate, learners must complete the minimum course completion requirements by the last day of the course.

What can I expect to be my weekly investment of time for a 6-week course?

Approximately 2-4 hours per week should be set aside to complete course requirements. The actual time varies per learner.

What will I receive with my registration purchase?

Learners will have one-on-one access to our experienced faculty and 6 weeks of online discussions as well as the sharing of ideas and best practices. For courses that require textbooks, learners must purchase them separately. Additional recommended reading materials and multimedia programs, such as recorded webinars, may also be provided within the course.

Please note, a registration includes access to the course for only one individual. If more than one learner from an organization would like to participate in the course, a separate registration will need to be completed for each.

How long will I have access to the course materials?

Learners will have full access to course content for 16 weeks from the start date of the course.

What types of continuing education credits are offered?

Learners can earn credits for the Certified Legal Manager (CLM)^® program when they meet the minimum course completion requirements. Six Professional Development Credits (PDCs) from SHRM  are also available for the HR 1 and HR 2 courses.

What are the minimum course completion requirements?

Each course has a start and end date. All weekly assignments must be completed and quizzes passed with 70% or higher by the last day of the course in order to receive a course completion certificate and CLM/SHRM credits.

How do I earn the certificate?

After successfully completing either both HR courses or both FM courses, you will gain FREE access to the certificate program. You will have six months after completing HR 2 or FM 2 to review the material from both courses and take an online exam to earn your certificate (one retake is allowed).

Do I have to participate in the certificate program to successfully pass the web-based courses?

No, the instructor-led web-based courses each have assignments and quizzes that must be completed to pass. The Legal Management Specialist Certificates are offered at no additional cost as an option for those who want to enhance their learning experience after completing the required courses.

What is the timeframe?

HR 1 and HR 2 or FM 1 and FM 2 must be successfully completed within a 24-month period. Participants will have six months from the end of HR 2 or FM 2 to pass the comprehensive exam with a score of 70% or higher.

Do I need to purchase additional course materials?

The course materials for the FM courses are provided. Most course materials are provided for the HR courses, but you will need to purchase The Big Book of HR by Barbara Mitchell and Cornelia Gamlem.

No materials are required for the exams, but you will want to use the material from the courses. No new content will be introduced. You will have access to the course materials until your access to each course ends. It is advisable to make note of when your access ends so you can download the materials.

When will I gain access to the exam?

Once you complete the requirements for both HR courses or both FM courses, you will be given FREE access to the certificate exam.

What is the difference between a certificate program and CLM certification?

A certificate program is designed to educate or train individuals to achieve specific learning objectives. Often, an exam or other type of assessment measures whether learners achieved the published learning objectives. Those who pass the assessment earn the certificate.

A certification program usually has eligibility requirements (such as years of work experience), requires passing an assessment, and has ongoing requirements for maintaining the designation. For example, the  Certified Legal Manager (CLM) program is a certification program where the focus is on assessing current knowledge and skills within the legal management profession.