How to Choose the Best Sleep Consultant Certification
Your education will be the most important step you take in becoming a sleep consultant. With this incredible career, the sky’s the limit when it comes to the amount of money you can make and the heights you can grow your business. But, given the variety of options available, it’s crucial to find a program that not only provides comprehensive education but also supports you throughout your journey to becoming a successful sleep consultant.
I’ve put together a list of all the different metrics that should help you determine how to choose the best sleep consultant certification program. And along the way, I’ll highlight the differences between the Institute of Pediatric Sleep and Parenting, and other programs out there.
Curriculum Quality and Structure
Other Sleep Consultant Courses: Many programs consist of a mishmash of downloads, PDFs, podcast interviews, and videos, pieced together into a so-called “course”. These disorganized materials often lack coherence and depth.
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The IPSP Sleep Consultant Course: IPSP offers a structured program. The course structure was developed by Lisa Fernandes, M.Ed., with a Masters Certificate in Adult Training and Development. The course includes measurable objectives, quizzes, tests, case studies, and a final exam. This approach ensures a comprehensive and organized learning experience.
Testing Comprehension and Feedback
Other Sleep Consultant Courses: Most programs provide no means to test comprehension or receive feedback throughout the course, leaving students unsure of their progress.
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The IPSP Sleep Consultant Course: IPSP includes quizzes, tests, and case studies to evaluate your knowledge continuously. Additionally, instructors provide personal feedback on assignments, ensuring you understand the material thoroughly.
Client Acquisition Strategies
Other Sleep Consultant Courses: These programs often leave you guessing about how to find clients once certified.
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The IPSP Sleep Consultant Course: IPSP teaches you precisely how to secure your first client within 30 days, consistently attract new clients, and recoup your tuition investment within three months.
Qualified Instructors
Other Sleep Consultant Courses: Instructors might teach medical topics without proper credentials, leading to questionable quality education. They may not specify where they got their certification or lack a medical background.
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The IPSP Sleep Consultant Course: IPSP has expert faculty with proper credentials and education. Lessons cover mental health, breastfeeding and nutrition, SIDS, scope of practice, and more. The lead instructor is a Registered Nurse (me!) and an active member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Authenticity and Integrity
Other Sleep Consultant Courses: Some programs are merely diluted versions of the IPSP course, often plagiarized and misrepresented.
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The IPSP Sleep Consultant Course: IPSP has shut down three imitation courses to date, ensuring you receive authentic and original content.
Practical Experience
Other Sleep Consultant Courses: Programs may require you to find mandatory practicum clients on your own, adding unnecessary stress.
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The IPSP Sleep Consultant Course: IPSP includes case study assignments based on real clients and scenarios, preparing you to work with clients without the overwhelm of finding your own initially.
Flexibility and Accessibility
Other Sleep Consultant Courses: Courses might require live, in-person attendance and adherence to strict deadlines, limiting flexibility.
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The IPSP Sleep Consultant Course: IPSP offers a 100% online, self-paced course that fits easily around your schedule, with no deadlines.
Business Setup Guidance
Other Sleep Consultant Courses: Often, no guidance is provided on setting up your business, leaving you to figure it out independently.
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The IPSP Sleep Consultant Course: IPSP offers comprehensive, step-by-step guidance on business setup, including attorney-led lessons on proper business structure.
Mentorship
Other Sleep Consultant Courses: Lack one-on-one sleep consulting and business mentorship, making it harder to navigate your new career.
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The IPSP Sleep Consultant Course: IPSP provides six months of one-on-one sleep consulting and business mentorship with the program director and a seasoned CEO, Violet (hey!), who has helped hundreds of women launch and scale successful businesses.
Community and Support
Other Sleep Consultant Courses: Typically, there’s a public Facebook group used more as a sales tool than a genuine support community.
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The IPSP Sleep Consultant Course: IPSP hosts an exclusive Facebook group for IPSP consultants only. Here, your voice is heard, questions are answered, and job opportunities are shared among professionals.
Access to Course Materials
Other Sleep Consultant Courses: Often limit access to the course and its materials, hindering long-term reference and learning.
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The IPSP Sleep Consultant Course: IPSP provides lifetime access to the course, including any new lessons added in the future.
Fees
Other Sleep Consultant Courses: May include annual recertification fees and/or royalty fees, adding to ongoing expenses.
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The IPSP Sleep Consultant Course: IPSP charges no recertification or royalty fees. Tuition covers everything you need, with no hidden costs.
Pricing
Other Sleep Consultant Courses: Prices range from $2000 to $5000, often without justifying the high cost.
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The IPSP Sleep Consultant Course: IPSP offers quality education with a faculty of expert instructors at a reasonable price of $3700, providing excellent value for your investment.
How to Choose the Right Sleep Consultant Certification?
Just follow the facts! IPSP has an incredible success rate among graduates, with our students going on to have incredible careers. Not only are they making more money than in their previous jobs, but they’re getting the fulfillment and work-life balance we all dream of.
If you’d like to learn more about how to choose the best sleep consultant certification program, I have tons of resources here on my blog. And if you’re ready to start your next step to becoming a certified sleep consultant, check out more on the course here!
