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Consumer Product Safety Professional Certification Program

Product safety professionals now have the opportunity to earn the industry recognized designation of Certified Product Safety Professional™ (CPSP) when successfully completing  the Consumer Product Safety Professional Certification Program developed by the Emerson Leadership Institute, a Center of Excellence in the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University.

About the Program

The Emerson Leadership Institute has partnered with the Society of Product Safety Professionals (SPSP) and its affiliate, Consumer Product Safety Certification Services (CPSCS), to provide a product safety professional certification program for industry professionals who design and manage product safety systems. The program is based on five unique knowledge areas that are key elements in any product safety system, as defined by CPSCS who develops standards for product safety professionals. Upon successful completion of the course, including the examination and case study requirement, SPSP will grant the designation of “Certified Product Safety Professional” (CPSP) to the participant.

The 2022 course begins in March at Saint Louis University's  Chaifetz School of Business. The course features two workshops and a series of distance learning webinars on topics related to the five knowledge areas. Instructors include professors from the Chaifetz School and current product safety experts and authorities.

Application Process

The application process for the Consumer Product Safety Professional Certification Program begins by following the Apply Now button below.  Please note that by applying, you certify that  you have read and understand the Consumer Product Safety Professional Certification Program Overview.  The application consists of the following sections.

Individual Information

Here candidates will provide basic contact information, along with any professional membership and volunteer service within the product safety arena.  Candidates must include a professional resume as well.

Additionally, candidates must identify under which employment criteria they are applying, either:

  1. 10 years of experience in a product safety professional position, or
  2. 7 years of experience in a product safety professional position plus a relevant university undergraduate degree. 
Personal Essay

The personal essay is designed to give candidates the opportunity to explain their motivation for applying to the program.  In 300 words or less, answer the following:

Describe your progression within the product safety field and your expectation of how the Product Safety Professional Certificate Program will enhance your career.

Individual References

Candidates are required to provide the names and contact information of three (3) individuals who have agreed to submit a reference on their behalf. 

  1. Reference #1—a former supervisor who can comment on one’s performance as a product safety professional
  2. Reference #2—a colleague who can comment on one’s strengths and challenges as a product safety professional
  3. Reference #3—an associate who can speak to one’s character, including your personality, integrity, and ethics.

Candidates must include the following contact information for each reference: mailing address, phone number and e-mail. It is recommended that candidates notify their selected references and request that they respond to the verbal and/or written appraisals in a timely manner, whether they reside within the United States or internationally.

Application Fee

A credit card payment of $175 is required to cover application processing fees, which also includes the cost of the employment and education verification from a third-party verifier.

Employment & Education History
Once candidates have completed their application, they will receive a follow-up email from Lynette Lingard (llingard@adksafetyinfo.com) with an individual, secure link to AAIM, the organization that will be verifying employment and education information. Your employment history must cover either 10 years or 7 years of product safety professional employment, depending on which option you are applying under. Non product safety employment should not be included.

Apply Now

Application Deadline

Completed applications must be received by January 15, 2022. Applications received after that date may not be eligible for consideration.  Only complete application files will be shared with the Program Admission Committee for consideration.

Upon acceptance into the program, individuals must register and submit tuition fee payment within 10 days unless other arrangements have been made.

Questions?

Contact Beth-Anne Yakubu, Executive Director of the Emerson Leadership Institute, at (314) 977-3852 or bethanne.yakubu@slu.edu.