Foundation Level:
Ordinary Certificate
The Ordinary Certificate in Statistics would be offered in a modular form consisting of two modules which may be taken singly or together. Each module would be examined by a 3-hour written paper. Each module would be separately certificated. The ordinary certificate as a whole would be awarded on successful completion of both modules and the "shelf life" of modules leading to this certificate is expected to be unlimited.
Intermediate Level:
Higher Certificate.
The Higher Certificate in Statistics would contain work equivalent to that offered into the first year of a typical university course in statistics. Indeed, some of the topics in the higher certificate might well be found in the second year of a university course. The Higher Certificate would also be offered in a modular form. It would consist of 8 modules and each module would be examined by a 1.5-hour paper. Candidates who succeed in passing six modules including modules 1 to 4 plus 2 more modules from modules 5 to 8 (not necessarily all in the same session) would be awarded the higher certificate.
Graduate Level:
Graduate Certificate.
The Graduate Certificate in Statistics would be equivalent to a good university degree in statistics and is expected to be accepted by universities in Nigeria as meeting the entry requirements to Masters degree programmes. Consequently, knowledge of all the materials covered in the Ordinary Certificate and the Higher Certificate examinations would be assumed, as well as the knowledge of appropriate mathematical methods. The graduate certificate would be offered in a modular form and would consist of five modules. Candidates are expected to enter for any number of modules, either singly or in any combination, in any examination session. Candidates may re-sit any module any number of times. The highest mark achieved is expected to stand. That implies that module marks would be "banked" without time limitation. Each module would be examined by a 3-hour written paper containing eight questions of which candidates are required to answer five. Candidates who are successful in all five modules (not necessarily all in the same session) would be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Statistics. Candidates who successfully complete the graduate certificate examinations would be eligible to apply for the Institute's professional status of Chartered Statistician.
To enable candidates decide the appropriate level of examinations to be taken, the Institute would offer services for academic assessment and to those who wish to obtain exemption of some modules of the examination. However, candidates who obtain exemption for some modules at a certain level and pass the other papers in that level would be awarded only an overall Pass for that level of examination. Nevertheless, if candidates wish to get a credit or distinction for a certain level of examination, they must achieve this by taking the examination at that level in full.
Value of Accreditation
Accreditation has been recognized as something that is beneficial to both members of the statistical community who attain the status and to those who benefit from the work professional statisticians do. From a professional point of view, accreditation makes the wider public realize that there is a body of knowledge called Statistics, which accredited practitioners of Statistics are supposed to be grounded in at an advanced level. They are also expected to have applied such knowledge competently and ethically through practice for several years. That notwithstanding, it is expected that professional statisticians must continually update their knowledge in their areas of specialization, for the advancement of statistical theory and practice. It is pertinent to observe that one does not necessarily need to be accredited to have these qualities. However, accreditation is one witness to the wider world that statisticians are also professionals. Also, accredited statisticians are recognized by their peers as combining education, experience, competence, and commitment to ethics at a level that labels them as professionals. The qualification of Chartered Statistician, therefore, reassures employers, contractors and collaborators of statisticians of the expertise of the holder, and serves as a mark of accomplishment to society at large.
Confidentiality
Applications and maintenance reports accessed by the Accreditation Committee during considerations must be stored confidentially. Part or any of their contents may not be released without the consent of the member concerned. However, in the case of an appeal, the Governing Council of the Institute should be made to have access to the papers relevant to the appeal.
Disciplinary Issues
Accreditation may be revoked by the Governing Council, on the recommendation of the Accreditation Committee if, in the opinion of the Accreditation Committee, an Accredited Statistician
- has refused or neglected to comply with the provisions of the CISON’s Rules,
- has willfully acted in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the CISON or the statistical profession, including non-compliance with the Code of Conduct; or
- has supplied incorrect information in an application for accreditation or maintenance.
A member whose accreditation has been revoked may appeal by lodging a notice with the Registrar of CISON within four weeks of receipt of notification that it has been revoked.
Accreditation Appeals
An appeal against an unsuccessful application for accreditation may only be made on the basis of a procedural error. An applicant has four weeks from the date of receipt of notification of the unsuccessful application to lodge an appeal with the Registrar. The appeals should be ratified by the Governing Council of the Institute or as it may so direct. Their decision should be considered final.
Revalidation for the Chartered Statistician
It is pertinent to observe that the Accreditation Committee of CISON with the support of Council, would conduct the revalidation or reaccreditation of the Chartered Statistician (C.Stat.) award on a five-yearly basis. To that effect, a detailed process has been developed by the Committee to reflect current best practice for professional awards in order to increase the value of the award for the Chartered Statisticians themselves and also for the beneficiaries of the statistical services provided by Chartered Statisticians.
However, once someone ceases to be a member of the Institute, his or her accredited qualification is expected to be rescinded. It could be restored on resumption of membership of the Institute within five years of membership cessation. An accredited member may also choose to terminate his or her accreditation. Accreditation may be reinstated at the discretion of the Committee and Council, subject to the maintenance requirement stated below. Accredited Statisticians shall be made to provide to the Accreditation Committee every five years, including any years of cessation of membership of the Institute or accredited membership, a summary of their activities within those five years. It should also include evidence for the maintenance of ethical professional competency and practice. This is to demonstrate at least continuing contact/involvement with statistics and the practice of statistics appropriate to them. The name of one referee to be contacted if the Committee so desires should also be provided.