Programs & Education

Certified Association Executive

You've Got This - And We'll Help!

Whether you're ready to take your career to the next level or just looking to check earning the CAE off of your list, you have what it takes to become a Certified Association Executive! The CAE credential is the marker of a committed association professional who has demonstrated the wide range of knowledge essential to manage an association in today’s challenging environment.
With the highest success rate in the nation, MSAE has helped more association professionals become CAEs than any other entity. We offer a process-based approach that incorporates study guides, reading comprehension questions, flashcards and practice tests. With three different courses, we have an option to fit every level of preparedness.

Full Course

January 11 - April 19, 2021

Ideal for individuals new to the CAE process, this 16-week course features weekly video calls, personalized guidance through the application process, three rounds of domain exams, an online community, mentor search, a 200-question online simulated exam, and more. View the course schedule for a full listing of activities.

Concentrated Course

February 12 - April 19, 2021

If you have participated in the ASAE Immersion Program or have started the CAE process, this accelerated version of the full course is for you. Condensed to an 8-week week period, participants receive weekly group calls, organized reading lists, test-taking tips, and a 200-question simulated exam. 

CRAM Session

April 13-16 and April 19, 2021

This is the ideal program for CAE candidates who have taken a preparation course or are taking the CAE exam for a second time. The course will review and discuss key decisions tested in the exam. We recommend that attendees read the Professional Practices of Association Management and MSAE's Terminology and Key Concepts Flash Cards prior to attending.

Full Course

Important Dates

All Full Course video calls will be held Mondays from 3:00 - 4:30pm EST.  There will be two Round Exam Debrief Calls, scheduled from 3:00-5:00 EST (Mar 8 and April 12). The Simulated Final Exam will be Monday, April 19;  reserve the whole day. Download the 2021 spring full course schedule to view all dates and domains covered.

While we recommend live participation whenever possible, all calls are recorded for listening in your own timeframe.

Approximately 15.0 hours of continuing education can be earned, prior to the CAE application deadline. Approximately 34.0 total hours for the course. 

Exam Dates Orientation Call Reading List Begins Simulated Exam
May 1-14, 2021
December 1-14, 2021		 Jan 11, 2021
TBD		 January 15, 2021
TBD		 April 19, 2021
TBD

Course Fees & Registration

Members of Partner Allied Societies: $1050

Nonmember: $1250

Register online or contact MSAE for assistance.

Textbooks & Study Materials

The following resources are recommended for this course:

You may be eligible to receive MSAE’s Kevin A. Kelly Scholarship. To be eligible, you must have been an Active or Associate member of MSAE for at least one year, with current dues paid-to-date. For more information or to obtain a scholarship application with additional details, please contact MSAE at 517-332-6723, info@msae.org or visit www.msae.org/scholarship.

Cancellation Policy

A 10% administrative fee will be charged for any and all cancellations and refund requests. Substitutions are accepted in lieu of cancellation and will be charged the appropriate registration fee if different from original registration. Refunds for the full and concentrated courses are not granted after the reading list has been sent. Cancellations/refunds for the CRAM session must be submitted in writing to the MSAE office. No refunds will be granted within 5 business days of the beginning of the course. If your ASAE application is not accepted, course fees will be forwarded to the next course.

Concentrated Course

Important Dates

This course begins on February 12, 2021. All Concentrated Course weekly conference calls will be held on Mondays from 1:00 - 2:00 pm EST with the exception of the Practice Exam Preparation. Reserve all day Monday, April 19, 2021, for the Simulated Final Exam and debrief. 

Approximately 5.0 hours of continuing education can be earned, prior to the CAE application deadline. Approximately 28.0 hours can be used towards your CAE renewal.

Exam Dates Orientation Call Reading List Begins Simulated Exam
May 1-14, 2021
December 1-14, 2021		 February 12, 2021
TBD		 February 15, 2021
TBD		 April 19, 2021
TBD

Course Fees & Registration

Members of Partner Allied Society: $950

Nonmember: $1150

Register online or contact MSAE for assistance.

Textbooks & Study Materials

The following resources are recommended for this course:

You may be eligible to receive MSAE’s Kevin A. Kelly Scholarship. To be eligible, you must have been an Active or Associate member of MSAE for at least one year, with current dues paid-to-date. For more information or to obtain a scholarship application with additional details, please contact MSAE at 517-332-6723, info@msae.org, or visit www.msae.org/scholarship.

Cancellation Policy

A 10% administrative fee will be charged for any and all cancellations and refund requests. Substitutions are accepted in lieu of cancellation and will be charged the appropriate registration fee if different from original registration. Refunds for the full and concentrated courses are not granted after the reading list has been sent. Cancellations/refunds for the CRAM session must be submitted in writing to the MSAE office. No refunds will be granted within 5 business days of the beginning of the course. If your ASAE application is not accepted, course fees will be forwarded to the next course.

CRAM Session

Important Dates

In light of the Coronavirus social distancing recommendations, MSAE is offering CAE candidates a Virtual CRAM. The virtual event will be held over a four-day period, April 13-16, 2021. A portion of the CRAM session will occur each day from Tuesday, April 13-16. Live, virtual sessions will be held from 3-5 pm each day. The MSAE Simulated CAE Final Exam is scheduled for April 19 - the exam is taken in the morning and a group debrief occurs in the afternoon. 

CRAM Features & Format

Candidates who participate in this program will have access to the following:

  • 38 hrs of live and video learning with 32 videos in mini-session format, covering key content from the 31 sub-domains of the CAE Content Outline. This format will allow you the flexibility of listening to those topics that you may be struggling with.
  • Four Test-Taking Tip Videos, three foundational videos, and one How to Think Through a CAE Question.
  • 80 Questions with 10 questions focused on each domain. These questions are not included in any other MSAE CAE products.
  • Live video calls, during which we will review the questions and the logic behind each answer option.
  • The review will offer some enhancements, pulling content from the mini-session videos to demonstrate key concepts. All video calls will be recorded and available to access within 4 hours of the live call events.
  • Access to the simulated final exam of 200 multiple choice questions in electronic format. The paper exam will also be available, but the electronic version will give you the experience of four hours intently focused on a computer screen.
Exam Dates CRAM Date Location Simulated Exam
May 1-14, 2021 April 13-16, 2021 Virtual April 19, 2021

Course Fees & Registration

Current MSAE CAE Course Participants: $600
Past MSAE CAE Course Participants: $700
New MSAE CAE Registrants: $1050

Register online or contact MSAE for assistance.

Textbooks & Study Materials

CAE Terminology and Key Concepts Flash Cards: $150
Order flashcards from our bookstore.

You may be eligible to receive MSAE’s Kevin A. Kelly Scholarship. To be eligible, you must have been an Active or Associate member of MSAE for at least one year, with current dues paid-to-date. For more information or to obtain a scholarship application with additional details, please contact MSAE at 517-332-6723, info@msae.org or visit www.msae.org/scholarship.

Cancellation Policy

A 10% administrative fee will be charged for any and all cancellations and refund requests. Substitutions are accepted in lieu of cancellation and will be charged the appropriate registration fee if different from original registration. Refunds for the full and concentrated courses are not granted after the reading list has been sent. Cancellations/refunds for the CRAM session must be submitted in writing to the MSAE office. No refunds will be granted within 5 business days of the beginning of the course. If your ASAE application is not accepted, course fees will be forwarded to the next course. 

Facilitator

Sue Radwan, MEd, CAE, SMP, ARM

Owner, Leading Edge Mentoring

radwan.pngAs the Executive Managing Editor for the ASAE Professional Practices Handbook of Professional Practices in Association Management, Sue and her legacy in association management have been recognized and validated by her peers in the industry.

Radwan facilitates high-level discussions on the domain content. She has spent over 20 years developing professional education for associations, including a national designation program. Radwan has considerable experience working with associations in the areas of board leadership and development, enhancing communications, strategic planning and human resource management. She will provide valuable guidance on certification information and tips for taking multiple-choice tests.

You are Certainly Certifiable!™

Test your knowledge! Can you answer these sample CAE questions?

For over half a century, the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation remains the symbol for excellence in every facet of association management. The program is designed to elevate professional standards, enhance individual performance, and designate association professionals who demonstrate the knowledge essential to the practice of association management. Those who are currently employed with an association and are looking to move into a chief staff position in the near future should consider this certification.

Self-confidence. 70% of CAE test takers report enhancing knowledge, improving advancement opportunities, and evaluating their status as their motivation.

Value and recognition particularly among board leaders, members, and those involved in hiring nonprofit professionals.

Create connections through a range of CAE-only events and increased volunteer leadership opportunities through the MSAE and ASAE.

Candidates are required to be employed full-time for one year as a chief staff executive OR five years as an executive-level, association manager. Candidates must also have 100-hours of broad-based, association management-related professional development within the last five years. This education must be directly related to nonprofit management. It should not be industry-specific, or required for the candidate’s particular position within their organization. See detailed eligibility information here.