Accreditation is an IABC professional development program. It offers communicators a way of demonstrating their ability to think and plan strategically and to successfully manage those skills essential to effective organizational communication, which could include internal communications, media relations, crisis communications and external relations.
Accreditation benefits individuals
- Two out of three accredited members say earning their ABC has been very valuable for them.
- More than three-fourths say it has improved their resume.
- A majority say accreditation has increased their confidence, increased their credibility or given them peer approval or recognition.
- More than 50% say it has given them more credibility within the industry.
- More than 50% say they ensure evaluation, measurement and monitoring becomes part of their work plans since being accredited.
- 50% say they now take a more strategic approach to their work.
- Words respondents use to describe value of accreditation: credibility, recognition, respect and validation
Accreditation benefits employers and clients
- Accreditation of communication professionals is also seen to benefit an organization by encouraging the individual to manage communications in a strategic way, helping the organization meet its goals and objectives.
- More than half of ABCs say that since being accredited, they ensure that evaluation, measurement and monitoring are part of their plans.
- 30% supervisors perceive great deal of value added by accredited communication professionals.
- A majority of supervisors and clients perceive ABCs giving more credibility to the department or organization, while a majority of clients perceive ABCs increasing the understanding of effective communication practices.
- Approximately one-third of supervisors and client respondents say ABCs increase the expectations of the role of communications.
- Supervisors note that ABCs take an inclusive approach to work, improve the preparation for selling to management and use research to develop "real" issue situational analysis.
- Clients note ABCs ensure evaluation, measurement and monitoring are part of communication plans, use the strategic communication planning process, show positive outcomes/strategic value of activities, develop "smart" goals and objectives and measure outputs, out takes and outcomes more effectively.
Accreditation benefits the profession
- 80% of ABCs say accreditation benefits the communication profession by providing a professional global standard.
- Three-quarters of ABCs say accreditation increases the credibility of the profession.
- 60% of ABCs say accreditation sets an ethical standard.
- Nearly 60% of ABCs say it increases respect for the profession.
- About 40% of ABCs say accreditation increases expectations of the profession.
IABC First Coast Accreditation Contact:
Beth Stambaugh
National IABC Accreditation Contact:
IABC Accreditation
One Hallidie Plaza, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 544-4700 ext. 721