Who is CIPD Academic membership for?
Academic membership is open to all practising academics and researchers in the field of HR, including those who are responsible for:
- developing and facilitating the acquisition of knowledge and skills within the HR discipline in an academic environment. E.g. teaching or lecturing, scholarly research supervision or management of academic programmes.
- managing the conduct of scholarly activity and/or undertaking sponsored non-academic or peer-reviewed research in any defined area of HR, or in another area, but with significant impact or focus on HR issues.
About CIPD Academic membership
CIPD Academic membership is a new route recognising the unique contribution made in the HR profession by individuals engaged in teaching, lecturing and non-academic research. It has been developed to provide a suitable alternative route into professional membership for those who would otherwise be excluded through the HR practitioner route. Academic membership differs from the HR practitioner route as it signals expertise in the development and progression of the ‘thinking and knowledge’ of the HR profession.
Academic membership fully reaffirms CIPD’s commitment to professional membership that is based on demonstrating the ability to deliver and make an impact in the workplace, based on what you know, what you do and how you do it.
Academic membership levels
There are three Academic membership levels. Please click on the links below to read more about each level, the membership criteria and how to apply:
The criteria for each level comprises of three areas:
- Your knowledge and education
- Your activities
- Your behaviours
What if I'm already a CIPD member, can I become an Academic member?
Existing CIPD members can become Academic members provided they are able to meet the criteria for the grade they’re interested in.
Please note that you can only use one professional designation at any one time. Therefore, members already holding a practitioner professional grade of membership (Associate, Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow) will need to advise which designation they wish to use, once they have completed the assessment application process.
How to become an Academic member
- Decide which level of Academic membership you'd like to apply for.
- Apply for the Academic member grade that best fits your profile - Academic Fellow, Academic Member or Academic Associate.
- Go through the assessment process:
The assessment process comprises three key elements for all grades and a fourth process for Academic Fellow:
- candidate self-assessment
- manager or supervisor referral
- expert referral
- professional discussion (for candidates seeking to attain Academic Fellow only.
Outcome - CIPD Academic membership assessment feedback. Achieve membership level if successful.
How much does it cost?
Because CIPD Academic membership takes place through direct assessment, candidates will have to be assessed to determine their eligibility. The assessment process and costs differ depending on the grade of membership you wish to apply for.
| Membership level |
Assessment fee |
| Academic Fellow |
£300
|
| Academic Member |
£250
|
| Academic Associate |
£200
|
If you're not already a CIPD member you will also need to pay a one-off admission fee and a subscription fee for the current membership year.
Benefits of Academic membership
As well as giving you professional recognition and new designatory letters after your name, CIPD Academic membership also keeps you in touch with the HR profession through a wealth of professional resources, including Impact magazine, which will be sent to new Academic Fellows and Members.
Group Arrangements
The CIPD are thrilled to have developed a group arrangement with academic centres that have supported their teaching team and their academic membership applications. Kingston University, the University of West of England and Gloucestershire University have all participated. If an academic or research institution have a minimum of four candidates to support through the route, please contact CIPD regarding a group arrangement. This may involve a bespoke assessment arrangement.
Assessment Events
Following the success of two previous events, the CIPD are pleased to offer an opportunity to complete a face to face assessment in place of the full application form usually required.
An added bonus during this event is the ability to obtain some developmental feedback directly from a membership assessor as well as the ability to determine the relevant level of membership for which to apply before the assessment begins.
Assessments are available from 29 to 31 May 2012 and will be undertaken in Portsmouth. Places on the assessment events fill up fast, so if this is of interest, please contact CIPD urgently on 0208 612 6208 or download the application form. Bookings are subject to terms and conditions. The closing date for all documentation and payment of fees is Monday 16th April 2012.
Any questions?
If you would like to discuss any aspect of CIPD Academic membership please contact our Membership team on +44 (0)20 8612 6208 or membershipenquiry@cipd.co.uk