Monday, July 26–Friday, July 30, 2021

Note that all educational sessions will be recorded and available exclusively to registrants through August 15, 2021.  

 

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This five-day virtual Institute is designed for those who are in the early stages of working as an independent educational consultant (IEC), and for those who are considering becoming an IEC. Whether you are just beginning to think about joining the profession or have been in business for a year or two and seeing clients on a limited basis, the IECA Summer Institute will help to set you up for success as you learn more about managing and promoting a business, working effectively with students and families, building a knowledge of the wide range of options available to students, and establishing a professional, competent, and ethical practice.

The 2021 IECA Summer Training Institute will again be an interactive and engaging virtual event this summer, due to the ongoing safety concerns and uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Download the preliminary schedule here.

The IECA Summer Training Institute (IECA-SI) will include a wide variety of interactive sessions to assist you in becoming an efficient and effective independent educational consultant (IEC). Topics will include issues relevant for all new IECs, such as Marketing, Communications, Liability, Ethics, and Business Planning. The institute will also offer electives that dive deeper into the various specialty areas: college consulting, school consulting (K-12 day/boarding schools), and therapeutic consulting (therapeutic schools/treatment centers for students with mental health, emotional, and/or behavioral issues). Participants will receive all materials for all sessions, regardless of which electives you may choose to attend.

The week will consist of both large group sessions and small group discussions, along with many opportunities to network and connect with other participants and the IECA-SI 2021 faculty. We will also provide time for you to gather informally in small discussion groups during the week so you will have the opportunity to meet and video chat with others, including those close to you regionally.

FEE

The fee for the IECA Virtual Summer Training Institute will be $975. (IECA Professional and Associate members receive a discounted rate of $875.)

FAQs 

What will the schedule include?
The virtual five-day program will consist of a mix of specially prepared recorded and live learning, in both large and small groups, all led by our faculty of IECA members who are eager to meet and work with you. Over the course of each day of the program you may be asked to:

• Attend a live presentation via Zoom.
• View a prerecorded webinar (created exclusively for the IECA-SI Class of 2021 by our faculty), and then participate in a live video session with that faculty member for additional teaching and live Q&A.
• Meet with your assigned discussion group of 8-12 participants, facilitated by a faculty member, to discuss what you are learning and share ideas for your own practices.
• Work independently on a specific aspect or two of your business plan that will be part of the curriculum for the week.
• Meet at the end of every day with the entire group to wrap up the day with a full faculty Q&A session so you will get answers to all of your questions throughout the week.

What materials will be provided?
While all presentations and handouts will be provided to you electronically, we will also ship our much-acclaimed large IECA-SI notebook to you approximately 3 weeks prior to the Institute. This includes course materials for the week, as well as a lot of additional resources that can be used long after our week together is over.

Do I have to be an IECA member to attend?
No, all are welcome! Many participants attend IECA-SI to help them meet the qualifications to apply for IECA associate membership shortly after the Institute, since completion of the virtual Institute will satisfy the “one year minimum experience in educational placement counseling or admissions” criterion for associate membership. Please contact Caitlin Myers, our Membership Associate, if you have questions about applying for membership: [email protected] or 703-591-4850 ext. 6974.

If I am applying for IECA Associate or Professional membership now, should I wait for my membership to be approved before I apply to attend IECA-SI?
You should apply for the Institute now to ensure a space is available for you. If you become an IECA Associate or Professional member prior to the start of the institute, you will receive the discounted member rate of $875. If you have already paid in full at that time, the $100 difference will be applied towards your annual membership dues.

Are continuing education (CE) credits available?
IECA will offer all participants continuing education (CE) credits at no additional cost (these are helpful to anyone who needs CE hours to renew licenses or certifications). More information will be provided at the Institute.

Will participants receive a certificate?
We will provide all participants with a certificate of completion approximately 6 weeks after the Institute.

Feedback from our virtual 2020 IECA-SI participants:

“I couldn’t have been happier with the whole experience. So worth the time and money. I thought with my 25 years of school counseling that I might be restless in some sessions, but they all energized me and every one taught me new things and gave me new ideas.”
—R.A., IECA-SI 2020 Participant

“I got so much out of this Institute! I feel that I learned more in one week than I’ve learned in 5 courses in other online programs I’ve done. Everything was beautifully executed—the scheduling, the online format, the content and clarify of presentations, the opportunity to ask questions and the supportive collegial atmosphere.”
—E.M., IECA-SI 2020 Participant

“Outstanding faculty and staff! Everyone has been extremely helpful, approachable and knowledgeable! This was one of the best and the most effective professional development activities/institutes that I have attended. It is absolutely a must for anyone trying to get into the IEC business.”
—A.S., IECA-SI 2020 Participant

“Thanks for an uplifting and informative week. The investment went well beyond the week of sessions as I still have so much information to sift through in my binder, along with inspiration and action items to keep me busy for the foreseeable future.”
—T.M., IECA-SI 2020 Participant

“Thank you for providing such a wonderful virtual conference! The amount of knowledge shared, advice provided, and support given by all of the faculty was incredible.”
—S.C., IECA-SI 2020 Participant

“Thank you!! I feel so much better equipped to start my business with confidence. I know I have a lot to learn, but I know what I need to focus on and where to go to find what I need!”
—S.V., IECA-SI 2020 Participant