FAQ

What are the requirements for the Certified Scrum Professional - ScrumMaster certification?

In order to receive the Certified Scrum Professional (CSP-SM) certification, you need to have a current Advanced Certified ScrumMaster certification with the Scrum Alliance, have 2 years of work experience as a ScrumMaster in the last 5 years, and satisfactorily complete an accredited CSP-SM program like ours.

I do not have the required work experience yet, can I still start the program?

Absolutely!  The main idea behind our programs is to give you new skills, abilities and a peer network to accelerate your professional growth.  So, you can start either our A-CSM, A-CSPO, CSP-SM or CSP-PO programs even if you do not have the required work experience yet, but you cannot have your certification issued until you obtain the required length of work experience and have updated your work experience on your Scrum Alliance profile.  Why wait to level up on your talents?

When can I start the program? How long to I have to finish?

Once you register, you can start your program immediately. (If you see a program “start” date on the Scrum Alliance website, those are only marker dates because of the way their website is currently set up.) You have one year to complete the program. You go at your own pace.

How long will it take to complete the program?

Your pace of progress will likely be governed by your availability to complete all the work.  Ours programs are deep and challenging by design.  We recommend taking your time to find the right opportunities to put into practice what you learn on-line, reflect on that experience and look for ways to improve.  It is not recommended that you rush through our program. In our opinion, to get the most value out of the program you will need at least six to eight weeks to complete all the modules in your program.  If you are looking for a 2 day class, or a course that can be completed in a week, our program is not for you.  On average, because of the depth of the program and because most of our learners are working full time, it takes our learners 3 to 4 months to complete a program, averaging one module a week.

Can I take a break from the program if something comes up?

Sure!  When you join an Applied Frameworks program, you have access to all the online videos, lessons, quizzes, resources and Virtual Classrooms for one year.  Because our programs are on-demand, you set the pace and order of your Agile journey.  If you want (or need) to take a break, take a break. We’ll be here when you come back.

Is there a test at the end of the program? Will my work be graded?

There are NO tests to obtain any of the certifications that you can achieve with our programs.  However, the Scrum Alliance places a strong emphasis on validated work experience in order receive the more advanced certifications.  Since our CSTs are the ones charged by the Scrum Alliance to make sure that learners who they certify meet a level of competency, as you go along, your assignments and exercises will be evaluated by your instructor and will have to be satisfactorily performed in order for them to request your certification be issued.  They will be looking for evidence that you can put into practice what you have learned in the program with a Scrum/Agile team.  In addition, you can agree to mentoring if you would like deeper responses to questions and topics.

What You Will Learn

Here is list of the topics you will cover on your path to Certified Scrum Professional - ScrumMaster:

• Coaching Executives
• Team Development II
• Catalyzing Agile Adoption
• Sustaining Agile Adoption
• Scaling Scrum & Agile II
• Lean Thinking
• Lift-off for Agile Teams
• Inclusive Solutions
• No More Bad Meetings
• Roadmapping That Works
• User Stories
• In-person Collaboration
• Online Collaboration
• Interactive Instructional Design

In each of our programs you will move through training modules consisting of a pre-recorded video followed by a quiz or exercise. The quizzes and exercises have practical, real-world application, and your responses will be reviewed, and feedback given, by one of our instructors.  All of our instructors are Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Trainers® (CSTs.)

In addition to the modules, you will participate in at least 4 Virtual Classrooms, which is how you can stay connected with your instructors and fellow learners and peers.  The Virtual Classrooms are online virtual meetings; you can participate via video chat or telephone. They are one hour each. There are at least 4 scheduled per month. Under the Scrum Alliance requirements to obtain the certification, you must  participate in at least 4 to receive your certification, but you are welcome to participate in as many as you would like.

Who Should Attend?

Participants in our advanced level programs have come from these backgrounds:

• ScrumMasters, Agile Coaches & other Change Agents
• Certified Scrum Professionals looking to renew their certification
• Team Leads, Tech Leads & Development Managers
• Project & Program Managers

Prerequisites

Anyone is welcome to start this journey, however to receive your Certified Scrum Professional-ScrumMaster certification you will need:

• A current Advanced Certified ScrumMaster^® (A-CSM) certification from the Scrum Alliance.
• At least 24 months of experience as a ScrumMaster within the last 5 years.
• To attend at least four instructor-led Virtual Classrooms (you can always attend more!).
• To complete all the on-line modules, quizzes and assignments.
• To have a positive attitude and desire to make a real impact with your team.

Want to learn more? Click here to see a 3 minute video.