Executive-level certification in security leadership, strategic planning, and organizational management. Designed for security executives and leaders managing complex security operations and teams.
or pay over time with Affirm · Sezzle
Eligible for military & government credentialing assistance
Select certification programs may be eligible for use with military and government credentialing or tuition assistance benefits, subject to agency and individual eligibility requirements. Participation does not imply endorsement by any agency.
State & Federal Regulatory Approvals
State Regulatory Certification
Certified by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.
Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. McAfee Institute is certified to operate by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development under 6 CSR 10-5.010.
Federal Framework Alignment
Listed Training Provider — NICCS Education & Training Catalog.
McAfee Institute is a listed training provider in the NICCS Education & Training Catalog, operated by CISA. Select courses are mapped to the NIST NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity.
Law Enforcement Continuing Education
Approved for Missouri POST CLEE credit.
This program is approved by the Missouri Department of Public Safety, Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) program for Continuing Law Enforcement Education (CLEE) credit. Officers should confirm acceptance with their licensing agency.
Board certification programs: Students must submit all course quizzes, score 70% or better on all sections of the course and obtain a 70% or better on the final online examination, and submit proof eligibility up completion of your exam application. All fees must be paid in full. Upon successful completion of your program, the McAfee Institute will issue your board certification. Students who successfully complete the program before meeting the eligibility will be put into a holding pattern until the eligibility is met at which time the credentials will be issued.
Completion of training does not guarantee employment, promotion, security clearance eligibility, or acceptance by any agency or third party.
Develop skills to enhance emotional intelligence, foster meaningful relationships, and create a culture of productivity and trust within your team.
Master the balance between leading effectively and empowering others, understanding when to lead and when to support for maximum team impact.
Improve negotiation tactics and adapt your communication style to achieve desired outcomes, making your leadership style adaptable to various organizational scenarios.
Leverage organizational culture as a tool to drive productivity, engagement, and commitment, creating a cohesive and motivated workforce.
Lead change initiatives that align with organizational goals, positioning your team and organization for continuous growth and innovation.
Define your legacy as a leader, understanding how to leave a positive, lasting impact within your organization and community.
This program is mapped to measurable performance objectives used for academic review, assessment alignment, and continuous improvement.
Describe leadership theories, emotional intelligence principles, and ethical decision-making models.
Apply leadership and communication strategies to organizational scenarios.
Demonstrate the ability to translate executive leadership strategy into ethical and effective organizational action.
Real feedback from professionals who've completed this program
“A great course on leadership skills and techniques that really challenges some really good leadership research and study, and makes the learner rethink how to lead, motivate, and inspire teams. I highly recommend this course.”
Nicholas T.
Verified Graduate
“The training has a lot of information that I was not aware of even with the plenty of experience in the field. I find this course very interesting and productive in the field of Cyber Security.”
Mohammad I.
Verified Graduate
“My overall experience was excellent. The insructors were very knowledgeable and the course content was well written. Highly Recommend.”
Dean D.
Verified Graduate
“WOW!!! The detail in the course is amazing this really challenges the way you think of a leader. One of the biggest areas is conflict we all deal with it at some point. This program did a great job at breaking down the different components and how they play into different leadership styles. 5 stars!!!!”
Jeffrey Harris
Verified Graduate
The certification is designed for the working roles below. Eligibility is reviewed at enrollment.
Corporate Executives and Managers who want to enhance their strategic influence, emotional intelligence, and communication skills to lead teams effectively and inspire followership.
Entrepreneurs and Business Owners seeking to build organizational culture, drive growth, and lead their teams through evolving business landscapes.
Non-Profit Leaders and Social Change Advocates aiming to develop leadership skills that support mission-driven work, foster community impact, and create sustainable change.
Military Officers and Government Leaders who need strategic leadership training to manage teams, lead change initiatives, and navigate organizational complexity in high-stakes environments.
Human Resources and Learning & Development Professionals who wish to deepen their understanding of leadership to mentor emerging leaders within their organizations.
You don't meet the eligibility requirements listed
13 modules · 85 lessons of structured coursework, board-aligned and tested in the final exam.
Become the Executive Leader Your Organization Needs
The Certified Executive Leader (CEL) program by McAfee Institute is designed to develop dynamic and transformative leadership skills. This program blends the latest leadership research, practical strategies, and timeless principles to elevate your ability to drive results, inspire others, and lead with purpose. Led by Joshua McAfee, CEO of…
One enrollment includes the full course library, the official manual, the proctored exam license, and your board credential on completion.
Self-pay · Military / Gov COOL · Employer-funded
Pay once. Lifetime access included.
3-day money-back guarantee
Interest-free via Affirm or Sezzle. 6–12 month plans available.
Military / Gov COOL eligible? Use DoD/Navy/Army/Coast Guard/Air Force COOL or TA funding — switch to the tab for the invoice request flow.
Need financial help? — available for self-paying students demonstrating financial need.
McAfee Institute trains military, law enforcement, and investigative professionals. Eligibility reflects that. Verification is the reason the credential carries weight in the field.
Any one of the qualifying paths below. Experience must be in investigations, law enforcement, criminal justice, military, or similar fields with direct criminal investigation or intelligence responsibilities.
Bachelor's or higher
+ 2 years experience
Associate's degree
+ 3 years experience
HS diploma or equivalent
+ 4 years experience
Relevant fields include investigations, law enforcement, criminal justice, military, and/or another similar field with direct criminal investigation and/or intelligence responsibilities.
Because McAfee Institute trains military, law enforcement, and investigative professionals, eligibility requires conduct consistent with positions of public trust. You are not eligible to enroll or earn certification if you:
Have been convicted of any felony, or are currently charged with (pending) any felony.
McAfee Institute is a U.S.-based institution serving a primarily U.S. professional audience. International enrollments may be subject to additional review, identity verification, professional affiliation verification, and compliance screening. Applicants located in certain countries or regions, or associated with restricted persons or entities under U.S. law, may be ineligible for enrollment.
Applicants must disclose criminal history as requested during enrollment. McAfee Institute may verify eligibility through documentation and/or a background check when required by a program component, partner environment, exam vendor, or when reasonably necessary to protect program integrity. Disclosures are required to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Any material falsification or omission is grounds for denial of admission, removal from the program, and/or denial of certification.
Completion of training does not guarantee employment, promotion, security clearance eligibility, or acceptance by any agency or third party.
One credential. Three eligibility paths. Pick yours.
The full credential for working professionals.
Complete curriculum, mentorship, and proctored exam included.
Same program, same exam, same credential. Open to anyone with a Bachelor's degree, no work experience required.
Designed for those entering the field who don't yet meet the Certification's experience requirements.
For experienced practitioners ready to validate without taking the training.
Standalone exam — does not include curriculum, study materials, or mentorship.
Join a comprehensive professional development platform designed exclusively for law enforcement, intelligence, and investigation professionals.
Engage with verified professionals in law enforcement and intelligence
Access career opportunities not listed elsewhere
Automatic continuing professional education credit management
Connect with federal agents and industry leaders
Join private discussion groups with peers
Articles, whitepapers, tools and more
15 years building credentials for the professionals who actually do the work. CAIIE was developed alongside practitioners from federal, state, and corporate investigation teams.
Talk to an advisor about eligibility, fit, and funding paths.
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