Certification
Demonstrate your school’s commitment to quality education and improvement through certification.
Evaluate and enhance effectiveness with Cognia Certification
Cognia offers specialized certifications that evaluate and recognize effective institutions, expanding their commitment to quality beyond accreditation.
Grounded in rigorous, research-based standards and third-party validation, our certifications empower institutions to demonstrate proficiency in proven practices and frameworks for a defined focus area.
Join the extensive network of institutions worldwide that trust Cognia to evaluate their effectiveness and validate their impact.
We offer:
The Standards
- Certification Requirements for American Schools
- Performance Standards for Board Governance certification
- Performance Standards for CBE certification
- Performance Standards for STEM certification
- Performance Standards for Early Learning STEM certification
- Performance Standards for STEM Provider certification
Start your certification journey
Each of our certifications is available to accredited institutions and those interested in accreditation.
Throughout the certification process, you will enjoy support from a team of experienced educators. The standards and requirements for each certification are identified through extensive research and observation, focusing on the characteristics of effective institutions and educational programs. Whether your focus is STEM, competency-based learning, board governance, or delivering American education abroad, Cognia certification provides a clear framework for educational excellence and improvement.
Be inspired by certification success stories from our network
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Cognia Accreditation and a Cognia Certification?
The Cognia Accreditation process evaluates an institution’s overall ability to provide high-quality education and commit to ongoing improvement. All Cognia Certifications evaluate an institution's proficiency in specific practices and frameworks for a defined focus area, such as American School, Board Governance, Competency-based Education, STEM, etc.
Can my institution earn Cognia Accreditation and a Cognia Certification at the same time?
New members seeking certification can earn it alongside accreditation and will undergo a simultaneous review. The institution will be due for reaccreditation and recertification at least every six years.
Institutions already accredited by Cognia may seek initial certification outside of the accreditation term by hosting an “off cycle” certification review. Once initially certified, the certification and accreditation terms will align.
Can my institution receive a Cognia Certification if we are accredited by another provider?
If your institution is accredited by Cognia, a US regional accreditor, or a recognized Cognia accreditation partner, you may pursue any Cognia Certification. If you would like to become accredited by Cognia, you’ll receive unsurpassed resources, including observation tools, surveys, and access to our online professional learning platform.