Policies, Standards, and Refunds
Advanced Cybersecurity & Management Certification (ACSMI)
ACSMI is committed to delivering professional education that is transparent, standards aligned, and fair to learners across global jurisdictions. Clear institutional policies exist to protect students, uphold academic integrity, and ensure expectations are understood before enrollment.
This page outlines the academic, enrollment, refund, and learner conduct policies governing participation in ACSMI’s Advanced Cybersecurity & Management Certification. These policies apply to all learners, regardless of enrollment pathway, geographic location, or payment method.
ACSMI operates as a training partner of Advanced Education Group LLC, an online, non degree granting postsecondary educational institution headquartered in Orem, Utah. Policies are written to support international best practices for online professional education and to protect the credibility of CPD and ACE recognized, credit recommended training.
1) Institutional Scope and Educational Boundaries
ACSMI’s certification is a professional training program designed to build applied cybersecurity and management competence. It does not confer an academic degree, state licensure, or government clearance. It is structured as vocational and professional education intended to support workforce readiness, role credibility, and measurable skill development.
By enrolling, learners acknowledge:
The program provides professional training, not guaranteed employment, income, promotions, or specific credential outcomes
The program supports preparation for industry certifications, but does not replace external exam requirements
Outcomes depend on learner engagement and external factors beyond institutional control
Cybersecurity responsibilities vary by employer and jurisdiction, so learners must represent training honestly and avoid misrepresentation
2) Enrollment Policy
Enrollment is completed online and provides immediate access to course materials after payment is confirmed or an approved payment plan is active.
To enroll, learners must:
Be at least 18 years of age
Have sufficient English proficiency to engage with professional level instruction and assessment
Have reliable internet access and a compatible device
Be capable of independent online learning in a self paced environment
Admissions are not competitive. Enrollment does not guarantee certification completion, ACE credit transfer acceptance by any specific institution, job placement, or professional outcomes.
3) Program Access and Delivery
The certification is delivered fully online through a secure learning platform accessible via desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
Instructional materials may include:
Written lessons and reference materials
Video instruction, including applied walkthroughs and scenario demonstrations
Audio reinforcement resources
Interactive labs, exercises, and simulations
Scenario based multiple choice evaluations
Applied case analysis and performance based assessments
Lifetime Access Clarification
Lifetime access refers to continued availability of enrolled content for the life of the program offering. It does not guarantee perpetual platform operation, indefinite instructor involvement, or an obligation to maintain identical course features forever. ACSMI’s intent is long term access with curriculum improvements while maintaining realistic institutional boundaries.
4) Academic Integrity and Learner Conduct
ACSMI maintains strict academic integrity standards to protect credential credibility and to ensure that certification signals real competence.
Learners are expected to:
Complete all assessments independently
Submit original work where required
Engage respectfully with instructors, staff, and other learners
Use ethical conduct in labs and simulations
Represent training accurately in resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and interviews
Content Use and Sharing Rules
Sharing login access, copying protected content, or distributing assessment materials is not allowed
Republishing lessons, quizzes, lab answer keys, or proprietary rubrics is not allowed
Using ACSMI provided templates, checklists, and frameworks for workplace or portfolio use is allowed, provided you do not republish the course itself
Disrespectful communication, harassment, or misconduct may trigger advisory review and can result in suspension or disqualification.
Plagiarism, credential misuse, or misrepresentation may result in certification revocation without refund.
5) Responsible Use and Cyber Ethics
Cybersecurity training includes tools and techniques that must be handled responsibly.
Learners agree to:
Use skills and tools only in authorized environments, labs, or explicit permission contexts
Avoid illegal access, malicious activity, or real world exploitation
Follow responsible disclosure expectations when applicable
Comply with employer policies and applicable laws in their jurisdiction
Violations may result in removal from the program and may be escalated for institutional review.
6) Assessment and Certification Requirements
Certification is awarded only after completion of required coursework, assessments, and any capstone or integration requirements.
Completion criteria may include:
Required lesson and module completion
Assessment performance thresholds
Lab and case study completion standards
Capstone level evaluations if applicable
ACSMI reserves the right to withhold certification if academic standards are not met.
CPD and ACE Notes
CPD hours are awarded based on verified participation and completion
ACE credit recommendations are subject to third party evaluation rules and acceptance by receiving institutions, which retain full discretion
7) Refund Policy
ACSMI offers a 14 day refund period so learners can evaluate program fit with confidence.
To be eligible for a refund:
The request must be submitted within 14 calendar days of enrollment
Course completion must not exceed 20 percent of total program content
No certificate or credential must have been issued
Refund requests submitted after either threshold is exceeded are not eligible for approval.
Refunds are processed to the original payment method when possible. Processing timelines may vary by payment provider.
8) Non Refundable Circumstances
Refunds are not available if:
Completion exceeds 20 percent of the program
The 14 day window has passed
Certificates or credentials have been issued
Academic integrity violations have occurred
Access has been revoked due to misconduct
Some payment processing fees imposed by third party providers may be non refundable.
9) Payment Plans and Financial Arrangements
ACSMI offers multiple payment options to support accessibility, including:
Affirm
Klarna
Afterpay
PayPal
In house interest free payment plans up to 12 months when eligible
Payment plan approval and repayment schedules are subject to provider terms. Learners remain financially responsible for all agreed payments.
Failure to meet payment obligations may result in suspension of access until accounts are resolved.
10) Scholarship Policy
Limited scholarships of up to ten percent may be offered based on availability and eligibility criteria determined by ACSMI.
Scholarships:
Are applied at enrollment
Are non transferable
Are non retroactive
Are non refundable
Scholarship availability may vary by enrollment period.
11) Program Updates and Curriculum Changes
ACSMI conducts structured curriculum reviews to maintain relevance, reflect evolving threat landscapes, and remain aligned with workforce expectations.
As part of continuous improvement, ACSMI may:
Update lesson content and labs
Add or revise assessments
Improve simulations and tooling guidance
Expand frameworks alignment to reflect industry changes
Updates are designed to enhance learning without diluting academic standards. Learners can submit feedback at any time, and support remains available 24/7.
12) Technical Requirements and Learner Responsibility
Learners are responsible for maintaining:
Reliable internet access
A compatible device
Updated browser and software
Some labs may require the ability to run virtualized environments or access browser based lab platforms. ACSMI provides guidance, but is not responsible for issues caused by learner hardware limitations or connectivity constraints.
13) Support, Complaints, and Escalation
ACSMI provides 24 hour academic and technical support.
Contact:
Program guidance and advising: advising@acsmi.org
Technical and platform support: support@acsmi.org
Concerns related to ethics, assessment integrity, learner conduct, or instructional issues may be escalated for advisory or committee review when warranted.
14) Limitation of Liability and Outcome Language
ACSMI does not guarantee employment, income, promotions, certification exam outcomes, licensure, or professional advancement.
Participation does not establish an employment relationship or a security clearance. Learners are responsible for how they apply training within their jurisdiction, employer policies, and legal constraints.
15) Policy Updates
ACSMI reserves the right to update institutional policies as required by law, accreditation standards, ACE or CPD related requirements, or operational needs.
Material policy changes will be communicated to learners when applicable.
Contact Information
For questions regarding policies, refunds, or enrollment: advising@acsmi.org
For technical inquiries: support@acsmi.org
For workforce partnerships or group orders: partnerships@acsmi.org
Common Questions (FAQ)
1) If I enroll and start the course, can I still request a refund?
Yes, during the 14 day window, as long as you have not exceeded 20 percent completion and no certificate has been issued. The intent is to let you review platform fit, curriculum depth, and learning style without being locked in immediately. Once you pass 20 percent, the program is considered substantially accessed.
2) How is “20 percent completion” calculated?
Completion is tracked inside the learning platform based on your progress through modules and lessons. If you are unsure where you stand, contact support@acsmi.org before advancing further so you can make an informed decision within the refund period.
3) Are Buy Now Pay Later payments eligible for the same refund policy?
Yes. The same 14 day and 20 percent thresholds apply. Refund processing timelines vary by provider, and certain third party processing fees may be non refundable depending on provider rules.
4) Does ACSMI’s certification guarantee I will pass CISSP, CEH, CySA+, or OSCP?
No. The program is designed to strengthen real competence and support preparation, but exam outcomes depend on individual study, prior experience, and the specific certification body requirements. ACSMI avoids making guarantees because credibility in cybersecurity is built on defensible claims, not marketing promises.
5) Can I use what I learn in real environments?
Only with authorization. You may use skills in approved labs, simulations, or environments where you have explicit permission. Any attempt to use tools for illegal access, exploitation, or unauthorized testing violates program standards and may lead to removal and credential revocation.
6) Can I share course materials or lab answers with a friend or team?
No. Sharing logins, distributing lesson content, assessment questions, lab solutions, or answer keys is not allowed. You can use ACSMI templates and frameworks for portfolio or workplace use, but you cannot republish the training itself.
7) What does ACE recognition mean for college credit?
ACE provides a credit recommendation and lists evaluated programs in its National Guide during the evaluation period. Acceptance of credit is always determined by the receiving college or university. ACSMI can provide documentation, but it cannot force transfer acceptance.
8) What happens if I violate academic integrity or cyber ethics rules?
Violations can trigger advisory review and may result in suspension, disqualification, or certification revocation without refund. Cybersecurity credibility is fragile. ACSMI enforces integrity because employers and reviewers care whether training was real, not just completed.