APICS Exams (meet upper lev reqs for Business Operations Management)

[swisha2k]

G’day,

I just sat the fifth and final CPIM exam which makes it 3 lower level credits and 12 upper level credits in the last 4 weeks. If anyone is in need of upper level business credits or concentration credits for the BS (BOM) these exams aren’t too bad, especially if you have studied for Operations Management.



Matymus, these exams aren’t a way to meet the Production/Operations Management core requirement but they are a way to meet the concentration requirement for those enrolled in Excelsior’s BS BOM (Operations Management degree).

As for what others may think about the Pass/Fail aspect of these exams, the credits are ACE recommendations so I wouldn’t be surprised if a number of schools accept these exams for credit. Personally I prefer industry qualifications, they are a great way to enhance the resume, help one stand out from the pack when applying for jobs and if you can get college credit for them at the same time it is even better.

Regards

ttt... can you point me in the direction to the ACE site?

[rth98122]

Talk about a monkey wrench in my plans!

Was approved to take the APICS CPIM exams to satisfy the concentration in Operations Management requirements for my Excelsior business degree back in April of 2009. After completing ALL the other requirements - including the capstone class - as well as purchasing quite a few dollars worth of books and study materials for the APICS exams, I learned today that, since ACE no longer evaluates the APICS exams, they are no longer accepted for credit at Excelsior. And since six months had expired since my approval was given, that previous approval will not be honored.

So, a couple of things to note for the future:

1. I haven't checked with ACE yet to see if they plan to evaluate APICS again in the future or to ask why they discontinued their evaluation, but for the time being - APICS exams will no longer accepted for credit at most institutions that use ACE as a guide.

2. Your exam and course approvals at Excelsior will expire after six months, so don't get caught out like I just did - take your exams within the given time.

[JanusthePhoenix]

Talk about a monkey wrench in my plans!

Was approved to take the APICS CPIM exams to satisfy the concentration in Operations Management requirements for my Excelsior business degree back in April of 2009. After completing ALL the other requirements - including the capstone class - as well as purchasing quite a few dollars worth of books and study materials for the APICS exams, I learned today that, since ACE no longer evaluates the APICS exams, they are no longer accepted for credit at Excelsior. And since six months had expired since my approval was given, that previous approval will not be honored.

So, a couple of things to note for the future:

1. I haven't checked with ACE yet to see if they plan to evaluate APICS again in the future or to ask why they discontinued their evaluation, but for the time being - APICS exams will no longer accepted for credit at most institutions that use ACE as a guide.

2. Your exam and course approvals at Excelsior will expire after six months, so don't get caught out like I just did - take your exams within the given time.

Burn, dude. I had never heard of these...it would have been a great way to satisfy the Ops Management requirement, and much cheaper than CSU Pueblo's class which seems to be the standard these days.

[peace123]

Are these exams still certified through PONSI ? Excelsior excepts PONSI credits.
See if your Excelsior adviser will approve them under PONSI

Here is the website,but I do not know if they are still certified through PONSI, I am not familiar with how to read their listings.

APICS The Association for Operations Management

APICS The Association for Operations Management - Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)

[ivanjak]

Burn, dude. I had never heard of these...it would have been a great way to satisfy the Ops Management requirement, and much cheaper than CSU Pueblo's class which seems to be the standard these days.

Actually have to take all five exams to get credits. They never were a substitute for the class at CSU-Pueblo as that is a lower level business core requirement. Classes are around $500 each with text and software adding into mix. If you wish to self study... exams are $120 each, cds $100-$200 each, text and exam guides $100 total. Membership is $200 per year but you get the discounted rate off of above mentioned items.

[ivanjak]

Talk about a monkey wrench in my plans!

Was approved to take the APICS CPIM exams to satisfy the concentration in Operations Management requirements for my Excelsior business degree back in April of 2009. After completing ALL the other requirements - including the capstone class - as well as purchasing quite a few dollars worth of books and study materials for the APICS exams, I learned today that, since ACE no longer evaluates the APICS exams, they are no longer accepted for credit at Excelsior. And since six months had expired since my approval was given, that previous approval will not be honored.

So, a couple of things to note for the future:

1. I haven't checked with ACE yet to see if they plan to evaluate APICS again in the future or to ask why they discontinued their evaluation, but for the time being - APICS exams will no longer accepted for credit at most institutions that use ACE as a guide.

2. Your exam and course approvals at Excelsior will expire after six months, so don't get caught out like I just did - take your exams within the given time.

I had to call my advisor at Excelsior after reading your post. I am taking last CPIM exam next week and graduating with BS in Operations. Since I had it documented they are honoring their approval of CPIM for 12 advanced and 3 lower credits. They used the word 'Honor", it seems that APICS stopped paying the ACE Evaluation Fee which is why Excelsior stopped granting credit. Fault lies with APICS. I would start there with my grievance. I also had a letter from Excelsior dated in October. If you started the first exam within 6 months you may have executed and the agreement with Excelsior may be in effect. Just one guy talking.

[rth98122]

Are these exams still certified through PONSI ? Excelsior excepts PONSI credits.
See if your Excelsior adviser will approve them under PONSI

Thanks PEACE123, will definitely call the advisor and ask about the PONSI scheme ;-) Am going directly into a masters program following this, so the Ops Mgmt concentration via this route was more of a convenient "feather in my cap" than it was a specific career goal, so it will be no big deal to switch back to General Business.... still, the whole thing chaps my hide a bit!

I had to call my advisor at Excelsior after reading your post. I am taking last CPIM exam next week and graduating with BS in Operations. Since I had it documented they are honoring their approval of CPIM for 12 advanced and 3 lower credits. They used the word 'Honor", it seems that APICS stopped paying the ACE Evaluation Fee which is why Excelsior stopped granting credit. Fault lies with APICS. I would start there with my grievance. I also had a letter from Excelsior dated in October. If you started the first exam within 6 months you may have executed and the agreement with Excelsior may be in effect. Just one guy talking.

That's great news IVANJAK - I'm glad they are letting you through - and congrats on getting four of the five done already. Other than buying books and study materials, I have nothing to show that I actually started (didn't actually take an exam). Am going to lodge a complaint with APICS - this certainly lowers the value of my membership with them (particularly considering it was the ONLY reason I joined... ! ). Maybe they will reconsider at some time in the future if they get a few complaints. It was a great way to test out of a concentration AND get a professional certification out of it at the same time - it definitely sucks for this community of learners to lose that valuable resource. Will post more if I learn anything of significance on this subject....

[ivanjak]

Still sucks though, that's only reason I joined as well. Supply Chain Certification Site has an area to sell discreetly. I know APICS makes a big thing out of reselling. Sounds like you'll be just fine.

[rth98122]

Just heard back from Frank Perna at APICS, and this was his reply to my email:

Maintaining ACE accreditation required a rigorous yearly renewal process with high fees. We decided to pursue other programs that yielded the same student result while reducing the costs and resources to support. We are currently investigating and have intention to pursue accreditation in 2010 with the National Program on Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction, National PONSI and the New York State Board of Regents.

Looking at the PONSI site, it appears (as PEACE123 suggested) that they already have credit recommendations for APICS exams. However, it also appears that they are only recommending 2 credits each for 3 of the exams, so the total credits would be 12, which would not be enough to cover the entire Operations Management concentration as was the case for the ACE recommendations (although all 12 appear to be upper level). Still plan to talk to my Excelsior advisor about their take on the PONSI scheme. Will post something here about her response to that as well.

[rth98122]

Okay, had a brief conversation with my Excelsior advisor and she did indicate that other students were inquiring about the APICS exams being evaluated for credit by PONSI and that they would be keeping an eye on that situation.

So for the moment, it appears there is no way to use the APICS exams for college credit. However, it also appears very likely the situation is going to change in the very near future. How exactly the credits will be able to be applied once that happens remains to be seen - but it will certainly be worth it for future readers of to investigate.