WHY SHOULD I APPLY FOR THE CERTIFIED SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALTM DESIGNATION?
- measure your expertise against the professional standards
- instill stakeholders' confidence and build trust in your school jurisdiction
- continue with individual professional development and continuing learning
- increase marketability with a designation that signifies a level of expertise specific to school business
- demonstrate initiative, professionalism, and dedication to school business management
HOW DO I APPLY?
Before you can apply you must be a Regular member of ASBOA. To be a Regular member of ASBOA you must be employed in a senior management position, by a school authority in the K-12 publicly funded education system in Alberta.
The School Business Officials Regulations set out the eligibility requirements for applying for the designation.
All applicants must
- Be a Regular member in good standing in the Association of School Business Officials of Alberta
- be of good character and reputation
- meet the minimum education and experience requirements in addition to other professional requirements as set out in the School Business Officials Regulation Section 8
There are 3 ways to apply for the CSBO Designation
- Stream 1 (S.8(1)(a)(iii) - meets any one of the education requirements set out
- Stream 2 (S.8(1)(b) - registered in another Profession that is substantively equivalent
- Stream 3 (S.8(1)(c) - Combination of education and Practice
WHAT ARE THE EXPERIENCE and PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS?
- If you are applying under Stream 1 you must have a minimum of 3 years experience in the practice of School Administration in Canada.
- If you are applying under Stream 2 you must have a minimum of 3 years experience in the practice of School Administration in Canada - of which one must be in Alberta
- If you are applying under Stream 3 you must have a minimum of 10 years experience in the practice of School Administration in Canada - of which 5 must be in a Senior Leadership position within a school authority in Canada
- All streams require that you have knowledge and understanding in the ASBOA Areas of Practice and in School Administration and School Law in Alberta
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School business officials must be continuously growing, developing and learning to remain effective in the profession. All applicants are required to provide details about their involvement within the profession and the Association
WHAT ARE THE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS?
If you are applying under Stream 1 (S.8(1)(a)(iii) you must have at least ONE of the following:
- (A) A diploma in Business Administration from an accredited institution; or
- (B) A professional Accounting Designation (CPA, CA, CMA, CGA) or be eligible to write the exams or currently enrolled in the program; or
- (C) A certificate in Local Government Studies from the University of Alberta (prior to 2004) or;
- (D) a program that substantively equivalent to (A), (B), (C)
(ie: ASBO International SFO Designation; MBA)
If you are applying under Stream 2 (s.8(b)) you would need to show that education and practice requirements for the profession you are with are substantively equivalent to the requirements under Stream 1.
If you are applying under Stream 3 (s.8(c)) you would be required to provide a narrative (summary) of your education and experience as it relates to the practice of School Administration in Canada and specifically in Alberta.
What is School Administration
School administration is the understanding, comprehension and application of the skills necessary to interpret and evaluate local and provincial policies and administrative procedures to ensure consistent application in the daily operation of the school authority.
What is School Law
School Law is the understanding, comprehension and working knowledge of the basic legal concepts associate with education law (ie Negligence, Administrative Procedural Fairness, contract and criminal law within the educational context)
Who needs to complete the School Law requirement and School Administration requirement
- Stream 1 requires all applicants to complete a School Law and School Administration course that is recognized by the Executive as identified in the School Business Officials Regulation 8(1) (v)
- Stream 2 - the applicant may be required to meet the requirements under Section 8(1)(v) if the profession does not provide an equivalent requirement
- Stream 3 -the applicant would be required to demonstrate their working knowledge in both school law and school administration and may be required to meet the requirements under Section 8(1)(v)
HOW DO I GET THE SCHOOL LAW and SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION REQUIREMENT?
The requirements for School Law and School Administration can be achieved through specific programs, or through a combination of professional learning opportunities. Examples
School Law - 24 Hours of instruction
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Introduction to Education Law (ASBOA) Level 1; or
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Combination of programs/professional learning opportunities within the past 5 years, that provide a minimum of 24 hours of instruction in at least 4 Areas of Practice; or
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Other (i.e.; MBA, a program of studies offered by accredited institution that can be measured against the Areas of Practice)
School Administration - 24 Hours of Instruction
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SFO Designation (ASBO International) ; or
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Combination of programs/professional learning opportunities within the past 5 years, that provide a minimum of 24 hours of instruction in at least 6 Areas of Practice; or
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Other (i.e.; MBA, a program of studies offered by accredited institution that can be measured against the Areas of Practice)
Is there any other way to earn credits in School Administration?
Yes: Through the nature of the work, exposure to the legislative and regulatory requirements, as well as understanding the practical applications of many of the Areas of Practice, the Executive recognizes the contributions of members serving on specialized committees and for members serving on the Provincial Executive for a minimum of 2 years. A maximum of 6 hrs may be applied for towards the combined programs.
I have a certification under ASBO International for the School Finance and Operations (SFO). Can I use this towards the requirements for the CSBO designation?
- The SFO designation provides for the minimum education standards as defined under s.8(1)(a)(iii)(D) of the Regulation.
- The SFO designation also provides the minimum standard for course requirements for 24 hours of School Administration.
- The SFO designation does not provide for the 24 hours requirement for 24 hours of School Law.
- Under all streams (1, 2 or 3) the SFO designation will provide many, but not all of the requirements for the CSBO designation.
I have a Bachelor degree but not in business and I do not otherwise have a business certificate. Can my Bachelor degree provide an equivalency under s.8(1)(a)(iii)(D)?
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If you are applying under Stream 1 (S.8(1)(a)(D)), for the education requirement you would need to have completed a program of studies that in the Committee's opinion is substantively equivalent to the education requirements under this section in the Regulations.
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On this basis, the Bachelor degree would require education specific to
* Business Administration
* Accounting
* Public Policy
HOW DO I APPLY?
- Login to the Members Area and complete the online application and upload the required supporting documentation.
- Read more about the eligibility requirements here....
Are there any continuing education requirements after certification is approved?
- Yes, all certified members are required to provide evidence that they have completed 100 hrs of continuing education over a 3 year period.
- The Registration committee requires certified members to report a minimum of 33.5 hrs of continuing education or professional development activities in the practice of school business administration and submit through an Annual Declaration. Read more.....
IS THERE AN APPLICATION FEE?
- Yes, the current fee is $150.00 + GST