IAP Career College, found online at IAPCollege.com, is a training company that claims to offer “finest in affordable online certificate programs” so that people can make dream careers come true.  

How Does It Work?

According to their website, the International Association of Professions Career College, or IAP Career College, wants to make non-traditional career education accessible to as many people as possible so they have created a whole series of online certificate programs that can be done in the comfort of your own home and are affordable.

Each course is designed to teach their students the principles and techniques for getting started in your dream career, including developing your skills, how to get a job in your field, and how to start your own business and get clients. 

Currently this company offers certificate courses in subjects like Art Gallery Owner, Bakery Owner, Bed and Breakfast Owner, Book Editor, Book Publisher, Cake Decorator, Career Coach, and many others.   

Cost/Price Plans

Though this website says that the quality of their courses is equal to or superior to other similar courses that are priced much higher than theirs, they have chosen to keep their prices low to ensure the highest number of people are able to enroll. To do this, they have kept their courses priced between $97 and $297. 

They also say that even with their lower fees, they understand that not everyone will be able to pay the full cost up front, so they will allow their students to pay for the course in two equal installments with the first payment being due on or before the course start date and the final payment being due 30 days later. Students will need to contact their Customer Service team to arrange this, however. 

Refund Policy

This company actually has multiple different policies which cover their customers in case a cancellation or change needs to be made. First, customers are able to transfer their registration to another course with the same registration fee for no additional cost at any time up to the day before the official start date of the course you registered for. If you wish to change registrations more than once, there is a $25 fee per each additional change.

Customers who would like to cancel their registration altogether will have to adhere to the deadlines based on the starting date of the course. Cancellations made at least 10 days before the start date will receive a full refund less a $10 administrative fee per course. After that, you can cancel or withdraw up to 7 days after the start date for a refund less a $25 administrative fee per course.

The website does say that while there are no refunds for later cancellations or withdrawals, they will actually allow you to find someone else to take the course in your place for no additional cost as long as you notify them within 7 days after the official course start date.

They also offer their students a policy where if something comes up, like an illness or emergency that will prevent you from being to start or complete the course within the 12 weeks, you can contact them and an Academic Advisor can help you with rescheduling up to 6 months after the official start date. The website says “there is no fee for this rescheduling on compassionate grounds.”

Customer Service Contact Info

Customers who wish to contact Customer Service with questions, concerns, or complaints can do so by phone at 888-322-5621, by email at [email protected], or by submitting them directly to their website through their Contact Us link.

Reputation

There are a couple important things to understand about IAP Career College. First, the subjects for which they offer certificates are not really subjects that require certificates. For example, there are certain IT subjects or other skills where a company will need you to prove certification in a specific field before you can be hired. There is no such requirement for people looking to open their own art gallery, so giving it an official designation is fairly meaningless.

The other issue that this website talks about their “accreditation” but the truth is that they have no accreditation. When an educational program discusses their accreditation, it should mean that they have an official designation from an educational governing body which has reviewed their programs and approved of their worthiness for the field they are intended to prepare you for. 

IAP Career College is “accredited” by the Better Business Bureau, which is just a recognition the BBB gives you as a legitimate business and has no bearing on your quality as an educational institution. 

The bottom line appears to be that this company acts like things that aren’t important are official and acts as though things which are official aren’t important. This isn’t a great combination in an educational company. This company may have some decent courses available but their approach to their content leaves a lot to be desired and may make prospective students seek their courses elsewhere. 

Competitors and Alternatives?

There are many other online certification programs and online educational programs. In order to find the best one for your needs, you should consider what it is you want to study in order to find the best alternative.  

If you have experience with this company or their products, please leave your IAP Career College reviews below.