Certificate Program (previously Module I)

Updated:  May 28, 2009

Program Description

The CIFFA Certificate Program in International Freight Forwarding is for individuals who wish to acquire a general knowledge of the theory and mechanics of handling international freight shipments, and international trade logistics.  Typical students come from freight forwarding companies, customs brokers, manufacturers, retailers, importers/exporters, and carriers  OR  from individuals wanting to gain employment in these companies.

The Certificate Program is designed as an introduction to the basics and principals of freight forwarding, and international trade logistics through 104 hours of classroom time. A Certificate in International Freight Forwarding, jointly issued by CIFFA and the respective Centre of Continuing Education (as applicable) is awarded upon the successful completion.

Prerequisites

The prerequisite for the Certificate Program is high school completion (or equivalency). 

Program Schedule

The four-hour classroom sessions are held weekly, for 26 consecutive weeks (evenings) at the various Centres for Continuing Education indicated.

Certificate Program - Starts early September of each year (with a short break in December) and
ends early April of each year.

Exact dates, times, locations will be communicated to the student when CIFFA confirms the registration.

Classroom Locations

At present, the Certificate Program is offered at the following locations:

• Vancouver: British Columbia Institute of Technology (part-time evenings), and Ashton College (full-time day school and part-time evenings) and Vancouver Central College (full-time day school only)
• Calgary: University of Calgary
• Toronto: Mississauga Convention Centre
• Montreal: Ramada Hotel, 7300 Cote de Liesse

Please note that these locations are subject to change.

e-Learning

Alternatively, CIFFA has an e-Learning option available for our Certificate Programs.  e-Learning runs on the same schedule as the classroom programs, except students don’t attend lectures. This is an option for individuals who need flexibility, who cannot attend regular classes or where the classroom program is unavailable locally. The students write the same exams, on the same dates as classroom students. The student is responsible to arrange an exam supervisor at their company to monitor the writing of their exams.

Students use a combination of the Textbooks and the e-Learning Modules to complete the Program. The e-Learning Modules are designed to be interactive and include lessons with reading, exercises to practice and evaluations to verify knowledge acquired.

Program Curriculum

Certificate

September to December	January to April
Understanding Freight Forwarding Transportation Geography Terms of Trade Land Transportation Airfreight Ocean Freight	Export Packaging and Warehousing Commercial Documentation International Payments Transportation Insurance Cargo Security Dangerous Goods Alternative Methods of Transportation Costing and Quoting

Exact dates, times, locations will be communicated to you when we confirm your registration.

Examinations

The required passing grade for each Exam is 60%.

The required Final Grade for successful completion of the Certificate is 60%.  The student's Final Grade will be based on the four (4) Quizzes (each worth 5% of the Final Grade) and the four (4) Exams (each worth 20% of the Final Grade).

e-Learning students do not write Quizzes, and are instead credited with 20% of their Final Grade from On-Line Evaluations that are part of each e-Learning Module.  The calculation of the Final Grade for e-Learning students will be based on four (4) Exams (each worth 20% of the Final Grade) and the total of all On-Line Evaluations (worth a total of 20% of the Final Grade).

A student with a Final Grade 50-59% will have an opportunity to write a Make-Up Exam, at the Alternate Exam Fee amount.

This Make-Up Exam will test the student's knowledge of the whole Program, and will be similar in composition to the four (4) Exams.

In the case where a student passes the Make-Up Exam, the student's Final Grade will be recorded as 60%.  In the case where a student fails a Make-Up Exam, the student's mark will be the actual Make-Up Exam mark.

Alternate Exams and Make-Up Exams

A $125.00 fee, plus $6.25 (5% GST), for a total of CAD $131.25 fee will be charged to the student for writing an Exam on an alternate date or for writing the Make-Up Exam.  This fee is payable to CIFFA PRIOR to the student writing the Exam.

Alternate Exam and Make-Up Exam fees must be paid by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or by cheque.

Program Registration

First priority is given to employees of CIFFA Regular members. Second priority is given to employees of CIFFA Associate members. Where space permits, non-members are accepted at the discretion of the CIFFA Secretariat, subject to certain conditions.

Please complete the CIFFA Professional Education Program Registration Form, and mail to the CIFFA office, along with your cheque as payment of the Program fees. If payment is by Visa Card or MasterCard, then a faxed or e-mailed registration is permitted.

Full payment must be made upon registration for each Program. Registrations will not be processed until payment has been received by the Secretariat.

Program materials are included in the initial registration fees, but are not included for repeats.

These Certificate Programs fulfills the requirements of Bill C 90, as defined by the Société Québecoise de Development de la Main d'Oeuvre. The CIFFA Institution Registration Number for Quebec is 02-03-2703.

GST #R122975436

Registration Deadline

The deadline for registration is August 15 of each year. New for 2009 ... an additional $100.00 late registration fee will be applicable after August 15 of each year.  Registrations received after the deadline will ONLY be processed subject to space availibility.

Registration Confirmation

Confirmation of your registration, and course details will be sent to you after the processing of your completed Registration Form and fee payment. Program materials will be mailed to your business address.

Cancellation/Refund Policy - Revised for 2009

All requests for refunds must be made to the CIFFA office in writing, and will only be issued under the following conditions:

• Cancellations received before the start of the Program… full refund (minus a $100.00 administration fee).
• Cancellations received before the start of the third class of a Program… 50% refund (minus a $100.00 administration fee).
• Cancellations received after the start of the third class of a Program… NO REFUND.

All Program materials received must be returned to the CIFFA office, at the student’s expense, prior to the issuance of any refund.

QUICK LINKS

Education Calendar

Program Pricing

Register Online

Contact Information

Emploi Québec Requirements

CIFFA Young Freight Forwarder Award

FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding