Certificate Programs

Why Choose NIC Academy

Elevate your career in the senior housing and care industry with NIC Academy’s CSHIP Certificate Programs. Designed for investment and finance professionals, our comprehensive programs provide the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this dynamic industry.

Industry Expert Instructors

Learn directly from experts with real-world experience.

Flexible Scheduling

Take courses on your own time at your own pace.

Hands-On Learning

Get practical experience through hands-on exercises.

Which Program is Right for You?

While most individuals progress from Level I to Level II, we also welcome professionals with relevant experience to bypass Level I with employer sign-off and proceed directly to Level II.

Join NIC Academy’s CSHIP Certificate Programs and advance your career in senior housing and care today.

CSHIP Level I Logo

CSHIP Level I

Fundamentals of Underwriting Senior Housing & Care

ENROLL

Unlock the fundamentals of underwriting senior housing and care properties with our CSHIP Level I Certificate Program. Over six meticulously crafted courses, candidates gain a solid foundation in key concepts essential for effective decision-making in the sector.

Upon completion, graduates earn a certificate in the Fundamentals of Underwriting Senior Housing & Care and the professional designation of CSHIP – Certified Senior Housing Investment Professional, Level I.

Who CSHIP Level I is for:
  • Finance professionals new to the senior housing and care sector
  • Professionals looking to understand how underwriters find value in senior housing and care properties
CSHIP Level II Logo

CSHIP Level II

Intermediate Underwriting for Senior Housing & Care Properties

ENROLL

Take your expertise to the next level with NIC Academy’s CSHIP Level II Certificate Program. Tailored for experienced professionals, this program delves deeper into underwriting senior housing and care properties through six advanced courses.

Graduates receive a gold-standard certificate and the prestigious designation CSHIP – Certified Senior Housing Investment Professional, Level II, solidifying their position as leaders in the field.

Who CSHIP Level II is for:
  • Graduates of the Fundamentals of Underwriting Senior Housing & Care
  • Veterans of the senior housing sector looking to boost their career and knowledge base
Prerequisites for Level II:
  • Ability to build a financial proforma model (NOI and capital structures)
  • Ability to perform a market analysis (competition, demand, age/income/frailty)
  • Ability to analyze an offering memorandum and present investment recommendations

Why Enroll?

Maximize ROI

Turn your education investment into lasting value. The CSHIP Certificate Program equips you—or your team—to make smarter, data-informed decisions that improve strategy, elevate performance, and enhance organizational results and gain credibility in the sector.

Advance Your Career and Your Team’s Capabilities

Build the expertise and credibility to lead confidently in senior housing and care. Strengthen your professional foundation or deepen your specialized knowledge to stand out as a trusted industry voice.

Gain Practical, Actionable Tools

Each course blends case studies, analytics, and real-world models to help you immediately apply learning to your role. You’ll walk away ready to improve underwriting, optimize performance, and identify opportunities for growth.

Stay Ahead of Industry Change

Stay informed on the research, trends, and policy developments shaping the future of senior housing and care—from capital markets to operations, wellness, and reimbursement.

Expand Your Network

Learn alongside peers, mentors, and thought leaders who are advancing value-based, outcomes-driven models. NIC Academy connects you to a professional community committed to excellence and collaboration.

Drive Innovation

Discover new ways of thinking about operating models and efficiency. Bring home ideas that help your organization adapt, compete, and thrive in a rapidly evolving market.

The Case for Enrolling: Convince Your Employer or Team

Enrolling in NIC Academy is an investment that pays measurable dividends for both you and your organization. Whether you’re seeking approval to enroll or encouraging team participation, the following points highlight NIC Academy’s value:

  • High-Impact Learning: Every course is created by industry experts and focused on solving real-world challenges in senior housing and care.
  • Applied Outcomes: Participants leave with tools and insights they can use immediately to strengthen underwriting models, investment decisions, and operations.
  • Organizational Benefit: Strengthen your team’s performance, morale, and retention through education that supports business growth and leadership development.
  • Flexible, Cost-Effective Training: All courses are online, self-paced, and designed to fit professional schedules. Employers can also access bulk enrollment discounts to train teams efficiently.
  • Tangible ROI: One course—or one insight—can lead to process improvements or cost savings that more than cover the investment in enrollment.

Need help making the case? Download our “Make the Case to Enroll” document to share with leadership, or use our pre-drafted email template to request approval.

For Employers: Strengthen Your Workforce

Investing in NIC Academy develops stronger leaders and smarter decision-makers. NIC Academy courses deliver knowledge that improves asset management, performance optimization, and cross-team collaboration— enhancing overall organizational success. Graduates of the CSHIP Certificate Program gain a trusted and reputable certification that demonstrates expertise in the senior housing and care industry.

Encourage multiple team members to enroll to:

  • Cover more courses and specializations
  • Promote shared learning across departments
  • Build alignment between capital, operations, and strategy teams
  • Gain knowledge and credibility for your team within the industry

We’ll help you develop a plan to maximize your team’s training. Contact us to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Candidates have up to four months to complete their certificate program. We follow a cohort model but offer flexible extensions when needed.
Yes, the program is entirely online and instructor-led asynchronously. All courses are pre-recorded, allowing learners to proceed at their own pace. There are no live sessions or time-specific requirements — complete it on your own schedule.
There are no mandatory homework or reading assignments beyond the course materials. Optional supplemental readings are provided for those interested in exploring topics further.
Candidates range from executives like CEOs and COOs to Analysts, Associates, and VP-level professionals in both operations and capital provider organizations. This diversity enriches the learning experience.
A majority of Level I graduates have either already enrolled or plan to enroll in Level II, with many aiming to complete it within the following year.
CSHIP Level I is ideal for those building foundational underwriting knowledge. Level II is best for graduates of Level I or seasoned professionals ready to deepen their expertise.
  • Ability to build a financial proforma model (NOI and capital structures)
  • Ability to perform a market analysis (competition, demand, demographics)
  • Ability to analyze an offering memorandum and make investment recommendations
Absolutely. Our NIC Academy Programs Manager or a past participant can share their experience and answer your questions.
Over 165 learners have enrolled to date.
Each level includes approximately 48 total hours of instruction across six courses.
You can easily transfer to a later cohort if you need more time. Please note that transferring will reset your progress. Starting in 2025, a $500 fee applies for cohort transfers to ensure program continuity and support.

Interested in Learning More About the Programs?

Complete the form below to have someone from our team reach out.

NIC Academy CSHIP Level 1