Certification is Live! First Test: October 23 at the NACAS Annual Conference

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What is CASP?

The Certified Auxiliary Services Professional (CASP) program was designed by experts in the field of auxiliary services, certification and test development. It attests that individuals have met a standard for auxiliary/ancillary services professionals, including competencies which, in the eyes of their peers, are necessary to perform the functions normally accomplished by a Director of Auxiliary/Ancillary Services.
 
The CASP designation will be awarded to those professionals that meet eligibility criteria and pass a standardized examination of knowledge in key auxiliary service areas.

History of the Certification Effort in NACAS

In 2004 at the request of NACAS members, the plan to create a Certification in Auxiliary/Ancillary Services was launched to solidify NACAS professional development offerings and establish a credible tool to assess the knowledge of auxiliary professionals. Over time, the effort included surveys to determine the core competencies essential to auxiliary professional performance and resulted in strengthened NACAS educational offerings that support professional development and performance excellence.
 
In 2009, during a discussion of transformational ideas and one of the most challenging periods in higher education and our association’s history, NACAS leadership took the bold step of planning for the future and recommended pursuit of certification. 
 
Since 2009, this certification in Auxiliary/Ancillary Services has taken formal shape, with input from:
• Experts in the auxiliary industry, certification, and psychometric test development
• Industry-wide surveys analyzing the work normally accomplished by a Director of Auxiliary/Ancillary Services
• Industry-wide surveys measuring the support of those positions supervising a Director of Auxiliary Services
 
The result is CASP, a program supported by auxiliary professionals and supervising positions alike.  CASP gives aspiring professionals a means to develop and demonstrate their knowledge and core competencies and provides career development guidance to individuals preparing for more senior responsibilities. 

Who is Eligible?

To apply for CASP, a candidate must:
• Have a Bachelor's degree or higher from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent.
AND
• Have five years full-time experience in management (within the last 10 years) directly related to auxiliary/ancillary services (non-academic support services). Three years of these must be in higher education auxiliary/ancillary services. 

Additionally, the candidate must:
• Sign the NACAS Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Auxiliary/Ancillary Services.
• Pay the certification application fee of $600 NACAS member/$925 non-member.  (This fee includes up to two exam applications.)
• Pass the certification examination within two years of acceptance of the application.
• Recertify within 4 years, fulfilling ongoing continuing education requirements.

What is covered on the exam?

Content covered on the CASP Examination was determined in 2010 by a Practice Analysis of auxiliary/ancillary services professionals and includes:
• Management
• Leadership
• Marketing, Communications and Business Relations
• Student Services
• Operational Areas: Food Services, Bookstores, Card Services, Commercial/Retail, Physical Facilities

An in-depth description of these content areas and an Authoritative Reference List appear as Recommended Resources on our website. Each will serve as a valuable tool for all working in Auxiliary Services, especially those preparing for the certification.

When will the exam be offered?

Our first exam will be offered Sunday, October 23, 2011, on-site at the 2011 NACAS Annual Conference in Orlando, FL.  Our next exam date is planned for the spring of 2012.

In order to take the first exam, applications must be sent by Thursday, September 8, 2011.  A completed application must contain a college transcript and verification forms from employers, so plan accordingly in your application planning.

Be forever known as one of the inaugural CASP designees!
 
Based on years of hard work, volunteer and Education Foundation support, member and industry surveys, and the intense interest we’ve seen in just the past year, the CASP Certification will become a recognized standard that will be of benefit to job-seekers as a hallmark of the excellence they have achieved.

"I’ve been a NACAS member since I became their first volunteer President over 40 years ago as a Director of Auxiliary Services at Tuskegee University.  Preparing aspiring auxiliary professionals has always been the NACAS mission and dream.   My belief is that success is achieved through effort, determination and perseverance.   My success can be attributed to those three principles and my having a mentor who stood with me.  Now, this CASP designation is a major new step to prepare future leaders in higher education.  I strongly recommend that you look into this program to enhance your future higher education career."

Dr. Wright Lassiter, Jr.
Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer
The Dallas Community College District