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Certificate Basics

Certificate Details

Overview

The Cornell ILR Certified Internal Investigator credential enables experienced internal investigators and attorneys to demonstrate their expertise by taking an exam on conducting an investigation about potential policy violations by an employee. It will assess participants' application of the best practices, skills, and knowledge outlined in the Cornell ILR Internal Investigations Model and Guidelines.

Requirements

Overall Requirements:

  • Complete the Advanced Employee Relations and Investigations Certificate.
     
  • Complete an application describing previous investigation experience and receive approval to participate in this certification program.
    Note: An application for the Cornell ILR Certified Internal Investigator - Certification Program can be submitted prior to completing the Advanced Employee Relations and Investigations Certificate; final approval will be contingent upon completing the Certificate and registering for the Internal Investigations Competencies review class and exam.
     
  • Register for the Internal Investigations Competencies review session and exam with ILR Customer Service at ilrcustomerservice@cornell.edu upon completion of the Advanced Employee Relations and Internal Investigations Certificate.
     
  • Complete a required virtual mandatory Internal Investigations Competencies review class.
     
  • Pass the online exam.

Minimum Experience Requirements:

  • Two (2) years in an employee relations, human resources, compliance, and/or investigator role within the last 5 years.
  • Have conducted at least three (3) investigations as the lead investigator into allegations of workplace policy violations (i.e., harassment, discrimination, bullying, retaliation, compliance, security).

Review and Exam

Description of the Review and Exam:

  • The mandatory Internal Investigations Competencies review class will be taught to prepare students for the certification exam.
    • It will consist of three (3), two and a half hour (2.5 hour) sessions conducted on Zoom and there will be work assigned between classes. Full attendance is required.
    • It will use a case study to review the specific components of the Cornell ILR Internal Investigations Model and Guidelines for Identify the Issues Intake Interview, Investigate the Issues and Conclude the Investigation.
    • A rubric will be provided with Internal Investigations competencies expected for passing the exam.
  • The exam will be:
    • Pass/fail and based on the Cornell ILR Internal Investigations Model and Guidelines.
    • The exam will be based on a case study, and you will be required to pass each part:
      • Part 1 – Conduct a live intake interview on Zoom with an instructor.
      • Part 2 – Conduct an asynchronous investigation based on case study information provided, i.e., submit plan for conducting investigation, identify issues, draft interview questions for investigation interviews.
      • Part 3- Make findings and conclusions based on identified policies.

Fee: $2,500 for the certification review session and exam

Application

If you would like to apply for Cornell Certified Internal Investigator (CCII) Certification Program, please complete this form and answer all of the questions.

Prior to applying, review the requirements for Certification. The application can be submitted prior to receiving the Advanced Employee Relations and Internal Investigations Certificate. The approval will be contingent on completing the Certificate.  

Experience

How many years have you been in an employee relations, human resources, compliance and/or investigator role?

How many investigations have you been involved in conducting?

For how many investigations have you been the lead investigator??

Please describe in detail (without providing confidential information) your responsibilities as lead investigator in two workplace investigations. Include the nature of the complaint, the number of interviews you conducted, the issue(s) and policies involved, the role of any other investigators, the method and manner in which you conducted the investigation, and any other information you would like to provide in order to demonstrate your experience as a lead investigator.

Please describe any Cornell best practices and methodologies you have used in conducting investigations.

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