Empowering Association Professionals: TSAE’s CAE Prep Crash Course

Texas Society of Association Executives
TSAE Company logo

Industry

Associations

Services

Instructional Design Services

Testimonial

“TSAE has been looking to offer additional resources to our CAE study offerings for a while now. While study courses have their place, this crash course will be able to meet the needs of individuals who simply can’t commit to an extended in-person course! Life is busier than ever, especially for association executives, and this focused, high-impact, self-driven program will give candidates the tools, resources, and strategic insight they need to help them succeed on their CAE journey. We are very grateful to eLearningDOC for helping us create something that we feel will not only help TSAE stakeholders, but the industry as a whole.”

Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE
Executive Director

Client Overview

The Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE) is dedicated to serving association professionals in Texas by fostering a connected community that supports career growth and organizational success. TSAE is a resource and model for best practices, ensuring all members have opportunities to grow and contribute. Through its mission to provide collaboration, learning, and leadership development, TSAE empowers professionals to lead effectively and shape the future of the association industry.

Services Provided

eLearningDOC partnered with Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE) providing instructional design and course development services. The partnership included a three-hour CAE Test Prep Crash Course, designed with 20-minute modules per domain based on test performance data.

eLearningDOC developed a custom course template to establish a standardized structure for online course delivery. Content development was conducted using client-provided resources, with eLearningDOC refining and organizing materials to create a structured learning experience. The course development phase included virtual curriculum planning sessions, content integration, and accessibility compliance. Additionally, eLearningDOC scripted voiceovers and created animated videos in Vyond, ensuring engaging and visually appealing content for learners. The final course was delivered as a video-based learning experience in SeminarWeb to provide flexibility and accessibility for TSAE members.

Purpose of the CAE Exam and Domains Covered

The Certified Association Executive (CAE) exam is the recognized credentialing exam for association professionals. It is designed to assess the knowledge and competencies required to lead and manage associations effectively. Administered by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), the CAE certification demonstrates expertise in key areas of association management, validates professional credibility, and enhances career advancement opportunities.

The CAE exam evaluates candidates across eight core domains, reflecting the essential knowledge and skills needed to drive organizational success within the association sector:

  1. Strategic Management – Developing and executing strategic plans, governance structures, and leadership best practices.
  2. Governance and Structure – Understanding board roles, responsibilities, and legal considerations for nonprofit organizations.
  3. Membership Development – Creating and implementing strategies for member recruitment, retention, and engagement.
  4. Programs and Services – Designing, delivering, and evaluating educational programs, conferences, and member benefits.
  5. Leadership – Applying leadership principles, ethics, and decision-making frameworks to association management.
  6. Administration – Managing human resources, financial operations, risk assessment, and legal compliance.
  7. Knowledge Management & Research – Utilizing data, research, and technology to drive informed decision-making and innovation.
  8. Public Policy, Advocacy, and Government Relations – Engaging in advocacy efforts, lobbying, and policy development to support association goals.

By covering these domains, the CAE exam ensures that credentialed professionals have the comprehensive knowledge required to effectively lead associations, support their members, and advance the mission of their organizations.

Key Components of Training Development

Custom Course Template

  • Standardized structure for online course delivery.
  • Designed for a consistent learner experience and industry best practices.

Content Development

  • Organization and refinement of client-provided materials.
  • Gap analysis and content creation as needed.
  • Ensuring alignment with learning objectives and audience needs.

Course Development

  • Virtual curriculum planning sessions.
  • Content integration and accessibility compliance.
  • Video-based course delivery in SeminarWeb.
  • Scripting for voiceovers to ensure clarity and engagement.
  • Creation of animated videos in Vyond to enhance visual learning.
  • Collaboration through a centralized communication channel.

Quality Assurance

  • Copy-editing and content validation.
  • Ensuring accessibility compliance (A/AA standards).
  • Review and testing of course functionality before deployment.

Highlights and Results

Enhanced Understanding for Association Executives

  • Targeted CAE Exam prep improves comprehension of core domains.
  • Structured learning approach focuses on common testing pitfalls.
  • Engaging content enhances retention and practical application.

Flexibility and Accessibility in Learning

  • On-demand video-based courses in SeminarWeb allow self-paced learning.
  • Accessible content ensures inclusivity for diverse learners.
  • Digital format reduces barriers to participation, increasing engagement.

Conclusion

By providing structured, accessible, and engaging learning experiences, eLearningDOC helped TSAE deliver a high-quality CAE Exam prep course for association professionals.

This CAE Exam prep course recognizes the need for learners to work at their own pace. The video-based format provides a multi-modal presentation style, and the practice questions embedded throughout give learners a chance to test their understanding while providing immediate feedback. The course supports adult learners seeking to master the critical domains and to achieve their certification goals.

Through this initiative, TSAE reinforced its commitment to empowering association professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary for career advancement and organizational impact.

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