LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Excellence in Forensic Science Management through Leadership and Innovation
The ASCLD Leadership Academy is a training program offered by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors for managerial personnel in forensic science laboratories. It is designed to deliver training of the highest quality at a cost that recognizes the current strained budgets of labs across the US. The Academy is open to ASCLD members and non-members, alike. The mission of the ASCLD Leadership Academy is to train managers to become leaders.
The Level I course is designed specifically for newly appointed supervisors and supervisors who have had little opportunity for previous formal management training and education. The Academy is a blended training model, combining weekly lecture-style webinars with a mandatory in-person "Management Lab" at the annual ASCLD Symposium where students will participate in hands-on, practical exercises to develop their skills.
The Level II course focuses on providing quality instruction to forensic science leaders who are responsible for entire forensic programs, multiple sections and teams, or an entire forensic laboratory. The ASCLD Leadership Academy Level II builds upon the instruction of Level I, and qualifies participants to test for the Certified Forensic Manager Level II exam (CFM-II). Successful completion of Level I is required to take Level II. Like Level I, Level II is a blended training model, combining weekly lecture-style webinars with a mandatory in-person capstone course at the annual ASCLD Symposium.
NEW in 2024, ASCLD will offer Leadership Academy Level III. Building on the success of 10 years and more than 900 Leadership Academy graduates in Levels I and II, ASCLD is excited to announce the creation of a new Level III Leadership Academy. This Academy will meet the requirements of certification for Certified Forensic Manager-III in the National Forensic Science Academy. Where Level I focuses on new supervisors and Level II focuses on middle-management, the Level III Academy will focus on executive/director-level management in the crime laboratory. Successful completion of both Levels I and II are required to take Level III. Like its preceding classes, Level III is a blended training model, combining weekly lecture-style webinars with a mandatory in-person capstone course at the annual ASCLD Symposium.
Individuals currently employed in a top/executive-level position within a forensic laboratory may be eligible to bypass Levels I and II and enroll directly into the Level III Leadership Academy. These limited exemptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. If you wish to enroll directly into Level III, please submit a current official position description from your agency, organization charge, and current CV to jeremy.triplett@ky.gov, along with your application (registration). Executive-level employees should be the highest tier of leadership within a laboratory or laboratory system and should have responsibilities that include evaluating the strategic direction of the laboratory, financial management of the entire laboratory or laboratory system, and statutory/regulatory compliance. Please note, enrolling directly into Level III without completing Levels I and II will limit students from completing the requirements to obtain formal certification as CFM-III. If students wish to obtain formal certification, they are encouraged to complete Levels I and II in order along with the associated CFM-I and CFM-II examinations.
These courses sell out every year - in 2023 the Academy filled up in five days! We encourage interested attendees to get approvals this fall and to be ready to register when registration opens on November 1, 2023. The registration deadline is January 12, 2024. To register, click the Registration button above. Course attendees will be contacted by the course facilitators in January 2024 with details and links for the sessions.
Tentative course schedule, subject to change:
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orientation | 1/25/24 | 1/25/24 | 1/25/24 |
| Session 1 |
2/1/24 1:00 - 3:00 PM EST |
1/30/24 1:00 - 3:00 PM EST |
2/1/24 3:30 - 5:30 PM EST |
| Session 2 | 2/8/24 | 2/6/24 | 2/8/24 |
| Session 3 | 2/15/24 | 2/13/24 | 2/15/24 |
| Session 4 | 2/22/24 | 2/20/24 | 2/22/24 |
| Session 5 | 2/29/24 | 2/27/24 | 2/29/24 |
| Session 6 | 3/7/24 | 3/5/24 | 3/7/24 |
| Session 7 | 3/14/24 | 3/12/24 | 3/14/24 |
| Session 8 | 3/21/24 | 3/19/24 | 3/21/24 |
| Session 9 | 3/28/24 | 3/26/24 | 3/28/24 |
| Session 10 | 4/4/24 | 4/2/24 | 4/4/24 |
| Session 11 | 4/11/24 | 4/9/24 | 4/11/24 |
| Session 12 | 4/18/24 | 4/16/24 | 4/18/24 |
| Capstone | 4/28-29/24 | 4/28-29/24 | 4/28-29/24 |
REGISTRATION FEES AND DETAILS
- Level I $850
- Level II $950
- Level III $1,050
- Fees include course materials for 12-week Webinar and mandatory in-person capstone as well as lunches, breaks, and Leadership Academy Reception during in-person capstone. Fees do not include Opening Reception unless you are also staying for the full symposium. Fees do not include travel or lodging costs.
- Fees do not include attendance at the ASCLD Symposium, however a discounted registration rate of $400 is extended to Leadership Academy attendees wishing to stay for the full symposium. If you wish to stay for the full symposium you can add this on to your registration during the registration process, you do not need to create a new registration.
- Payment for the Academy must be received in full by orientation on January 25, 2024. Attendees that have not paid in full will not be able to participate in the Academy. Payment for the full symposium or other optional events can be made at a later date, as long as payment is received in full before the Symposium on April 28.