What is the Certified Strategic Education Planner?

The Certified Strategic Education Planner is a globally recognised professional certification by the Global Leadership Institute (GLI), designed to equip professionals with advanced competencies in Leadership & Management.

How long does this certification take?

The programme is 10 Weeks and can be completed at your own pace through our self-paced online option, or alongside live virtual sessions.

Is this certification globally recognised?

Yes. GLI certifications are internationally recognised and carry CPD credits, making them valuable for career advancement worldwide.

What level is this certification?

This is a Advanced Level certification, suitable for professionals with relevant experience or background in the field.

You can enrol by emailing info@certifications.ac, contacting us via WhatsApp at +254 722 223 084, or filling the enrolment form below.

Certified Strategic Education Planner (CSTEP)

Executive Summary

Certified Strategic Education Planner

Designed for today’s high-impact professionals, the Certified Strategic Education Planner (CSTEP) delivers a rigorous Advanced-level curriculum that equips participants with the knowledge, tools and frameworks needed to excel in instructional design, training delivery and learning management.

This 10 Weeks programme is structured around recognised instructional-design, quality-assurance and CPD standards, ensuring every graduate applies internationally validated methods to real-world challenges.

GLI’s CSTEP holders are recognised by leading organisations across Africa, the Gulf, Europe and the Americas as qualified, results-driven professionals. Whether you are advancing your current career or transitioning into new responsibilities, this certification provides the competitive edge you need in 2026 and beyond.

Programme Overview

Certification at a Glance

Certification

Certified Strategic Education Planner

Acronym

CSTEP

Who Should Enrol?

Trainers and Facilitators
Instructional and Curriculum Designers
Learning and Development Professionals
Academic and Education Administrators

Programme Inclusions

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

All study materials and study guide
Access to GLI online learning portal
Online examination and assessment
Digital certificate and digital badge
Physical certificate (shipped to you)
CPD credits for professional bodies
GLI alumni network membership
Facilitator and tutor support
Resource downloads and reference library
Automatic enrolment confirmation

Certification Benefits

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Leadership Capability

Develop the strategic and operational skills to lead complex instructional design functions

Career Advancement

Accelerate your career towards senior L&D, academic and learning-leadership roles

Strategic Thinking

Build the strategic thinking, analysis and execution skills of world-class leaders

Organisational Impact

Design and implement instructional design systems that drive performance and measurable results

Personal Excellence

Develop emotional intelligence, resilience and authentic executive presence

Global Employability

Qualify for instructional design roles across training providers, universities, corporates and education institutions worldwide

Competency Framework

Core Competencies You Will Develop

✦Instructional Design and Curriculum Development

✦Facilitation, Delivery and Learner Engagement

✦Digital, Blended and E-Learning

✦Assessment, Evaluation and Quality Assurance

✦Learning Strategy, Leadership and Administration

✦Professional Ethics and Governance

Course Curriculum

Programme Modules

The full programme, module by module.

1

Foundations and Professional Context of Certified Strategic Education Planner

Certified Strategic Education Planner: industry context, trends and professional standards · Principles of teaching, training and learning · Adult learning theory (andragogy) · The learning and development profession

2

Sector Strategy and Stakeholder Context

Strategic foresight, ESG and stakeholder expectations · The strategic planning cycle and calendar · Organizational diagnosis and the strategic baseline · Leading across cultures and geographies

3

Mergers, acquisitions and integration risk

Mergers, acquisitions and integration risk · Vision, mission and strategic intent · Competitive strategy and positioning · Public speaking and thought leadership

4

Scenario planning and foresight

Scenario planning and foresight · Aligning teams around strategy · Strategy execution and the balanced scorecard · Working with a board and governance

5

Analytics translation

Analytics translation: from data to decision · Experimentation and causal inference in business · Metrics design and the gaming problem · Make, buy or ally: boundary decisions

6

Platform and ecosystem strategy

Platform and ecosystem strategy · Digital business models and monetisation · Market attractiveness and country assessment · Managing conflict constructively

7

Cross-border trade, tariffs and logistics realities

Cross-border trade, tariffs and logistics realities · Growth strategy and expansion sequencing · Leadership impact and organisational health metrics · Scaling a validated model

8

People Administration

Resource allocation and capital discipline · Strategy and performance management systems · Performance management in sales · NGO financial management and budget-versus-actual discipline

9

Customers and Markets

Product launch and go-to-market sequencing · Business model and market innovation · Innovation in service delivery · Governance of service standards

10

Projects and Delivery

Designing a transformation programme · Project and programme oversight · Balancing short-term delivery and long-term value · Programme governance

11

Inclusion and Culture

Organisational culture and behaviour change · HR's role in culture, values and employer brand · Inclusion and the fairness of people decisions · Safety culture and leadership

12

Legal and Policy

Legal responsibilities and professional bodies · Goal setting and contracting · Decision support and insight · Procurement and contract value

13

Cross-Cultural Leadership

Cross-cultural communication · Global sourcing and international trade · Managing virtual and cross-cultural teams · Expanding into regional and export markets

14

Suppliers and Partners

Contractor and visitor safety · Procurement and supply chain: scope and value · The procurement cycle and operating models · Procurement’s contribution to organisational strategy

15

Sustainability

Integrated and sustainability reporting · The project environment and stakeholders · Market analysis and environmental scanning · Sustainability and responsible marketing

16

Public and Community Context

Peer support and consultation · Facilitation, training and public presentation skills · Presentation and public speaking · Public, private and non-profit governance

17

Knowledge and Learning

Minimum viable offer and validated learning · Knowledge management and capability building · Learning technologies and the LMS · Learning transfer and capability building

18

Leadership and Management

Innovation management and creative problem-solving · Change leadership models (Kotter, ADKAR, Lewin) · Leading through other leaders · Building and running a top team

19

People and Capability

Strategic development and long-range positioning · Schedule development and optimisation · Team leadership and motivation · Team development and effectiveness

20

Strategy and Direction

Negotiation strategy and tactics · Strategy as a coherent set of choices · Sources of competitive advantage · Strategic positioning versus operational effectiveness

21

Operations and Delivery

Scenario planning under deep uncertainty · Operating model redesign · Business process mapping · The HR function: roles, operating models and value creation

22

Communication and Influence

Influencing without authority · Brand, reputation and communications · Negotiation and closing commercial deals · Voice of the customer and acting on feedback

23

Change and Innovation

Transformation versus incremental change · Sustaining transformation and preventing reversion · Leading large-scale transformation · Sustaining change and embedding new behaviours

24

Data and Measurement

Data quality, analysis and reporting · Complaints, accountability and fitness to practise · Client feedback and satisfaction · Portfolio of evidence and reflective practice

25

Financial Acumen

Long-term value creation · Benefits realisation and value tracking · Cost and profitability analysis · Data visualisation for finance

26

Risk and Governance

Business continuity and crisis management · Interest-rate risk and gap analysis · Asset-liability committee (ALCO) governance · Derivatives and risk instruments

27

Stakeholders and Partners

Stakeholder mapping and analysis · Reporting to boards and executives · Stakeholder rights and fair treatment · Delivery, quality and stakeholder plan

28

Digital and Technology

Payment technology and switches · Automation, RPA and straight-through processing · Cybersecurity and fraud technology · Digital credit and alternative data

29

Ethics and Integrity

Treating customers fairly and market conduct · Integrity, confidentiality and conflicts · Anti-corruption and financial-crime ethics · Bribery, corruption and conduct risk

30

Self-Leadership

Resilience, wellbeing and stress management · Self-awareness and the leader's identity · Wellbeing and resilience coaching · Servant leadership and self-organising teams

Every module opens in the learning portal with its full lesson set, worked examples, further reading and video masterclasses. 30 modules · 150 lessons.

Learning Outcomes

What You Will Achieve

Sector Strategy and Stakeholder Context — applied to your own work
Mergers, acquisitions and integration risk — applied to your own work
Scenario planning and foresight — applied to your own work
Analytics translation — applied to your own work
Platform and ecosystem strategy — applied to your own work
Cross-border trade, tariffs and logistics realities — applied to your own work

Enrolment Process

How to Get Certified

🎯

Step 1: Choose Your Certification

You are viewing Certified Strategic Education Planner — one of GLI's 1,990+ globally recognised professional certifications.

💳

Step 2: Enrol & Pay Online — Instantly

Click Enrol & Study Online to register and pay securely via Paystack, Visa, Mastercard, M-Pesa or bank transfer. Access is granted the moment payment is confirmed.

📚

Step 3: Study in the GLI Learning Portal

Work through 30 structured modules and 150 lessons at your own pace, with downloadable resources and expert-designed content — all inside the LMS.

🎓

Step 4: Pass, Get Certified & Verified

Sit your final examination online, earn your certificate instantly, and receive a globally verifiable Certificate ID — plus GLI Alumni Network access.

🎓 Enrol & Study Online — Instant Access

Secure checkout · Instant LMS access · Globally verifiable certificate

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

What is the CSTEP certification?

Yes. GLI certifications are recognised across 100+ countries and are aligned with recognised instructional-design, quality-assurance and CPD standards. Graduates receive a digital certificate, a physical certificate and CPD credits recognised by employers worldwide.

Who should enrol in the CSTEP?

This certification is ideal for Trainers and Facilitators, Instructional and Curriculum Designers, Learning and Development Professionals and Academic and Education Administrators, and other professionals seeking to formalise their expertise in instructional design, training delivery and learning management with a globally recognised credential.

How long does the CSTEP certification take to complete?

The programme is structured over 10 Weeks and offers flexible learning modes. Self-paced learners can progress at their own schedule, while live virtual participants follow a structured cohort schedule with facilitator-led sessions.

Is the CSTEP internationally recognised?

Yes. GLI certifications are recognised across 100+ countries and are aligned with recognised instructional-design, quality-assurance and CPD standards. Graduates receive a digital certificate, a physical certificate and CPD credits recognised by employers worldwide.

What is the cost of the CSTEP certification?

The Certified Strategic Education Planner is offered in two formats: Self-Paced at USD 449 and Live Virtual at USD 649. Corporate group rates are available for organisations enrolling 5 or more participants. Contact GLI for a bespoke corporate training quotation.

What does the CSTEP certification include?

Enrolment includes all study materials and study guides, access to GLI's online learning portal, online examination, digital certificate and badge, physical certificate (posted), CPD credits, GLI alumni network membership, and ongoing facilitator support.

What is the assessment format for the CSTEP?

The Certified Strategic Education Planner is assessed through an online examination consisting of multiple-choice questions, case study analysis, and practical application assignments. The assessment is designed to evaluate real-world competency, not just theoretical recall.

What CPD credits do I earn from the CSTEP?

The Certified Strategic Education Planner carries Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits, which can be applied towards professional body requirements including recognised international professional associations.

Can I study the CSTEP while working full-time?

Absolutely. The self-paced option is designed for busy working professionals and allows you to study when and where it suits you. Live virtual sessions are typically scheduled in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate professional commitments.

What career outcomes can I expect from the CSTEP?

Graduates progress towards senior L&D, academic and learning-leadership roles. The CSTEP strengthens your expertise in instructional design, training delivery and learning management and positions you for advancement across training providers, universities, corporates and education institutions.

Graduate Voices

What Our Alumni Say

“

The curriculum was directly applicable to my daily work. I immediately applied what I learned and saw results within weeks of completing the programme.

Head of Learning

Private Sector

“

GLI's certification is the most practical professional programme I have attended. The international frameworks gave me credibility with my employer and clients.

L&D Manager

NGO Sector

“

I earned my CSTEP while working full-time. The self-paced format made it possible, and the quality of the content is genuinely world-class.

Lead Facilitator

Government

Certified Strategic Education Planner

Certified Strategic Education Planner

Certification at a Glance

Who Should Enrol?

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Core Competencies You Will Develop

Programme Modules

What You Will Achieve

How to Get Certified

Common Questions

What Our Alumni Say

You May Also Like

Certified Corporate Reputation Manager

Certified Public Relations Manager

Certified Strategic Procurement Specialist

Certified Innovation Leader

Certified Governance Risk Manager

Certified Ethical Leader