Instructor Proprietary Interest Disclosure Policy

These simple guidelines explain how we tell you when an instructor has a financial or personal interest in a product, tool, or material mentioned in your course. This helps keep your learning open, fair, and transparent.

I. What This Policy Is About

  • Sometimes an instructor may own, sell, promote, or earn income from a product, service, tool, or material they talk about in a course.

  • DPS follows the ANSI/IACET Standard and clearly tells participants about these interests so you can make informed choices.

II. When We Will Tell You

  • Before you register, in course descriptions, emails, or flyers, when it is relevant.

  • At the start of the learning event, both:

  • In writing (for example, on the welcome slide, syllabus, or LMS page), and

  • Verbally by the instructor during introductions.

III. What We Will Tell You

If an instructor has a related interest, you will see a clear statement such as:

  • “The instructor has a proprietary/financial interest in [product or material name].”

This means the instructor may:

  • Own or partly own the product or company

  • Receive income, royalties, or commissions

  • Act as a consultant, advisor, or affiliate

IV. What This Means for Your Course

  • The main purpose of the course is still your learning and professional growth, not promotion.

  • DPS reviews content to keep it relevant, accurate, and balanced, even when a proprietary interest exists.

  • When possible, the instructor may also mention other options or approaches, not only the product they are connected with.

V. Your Choices and Rights as a participant

As a participant, you may:

  • Ask the instructor to clarify their relationship with a product or service.

  • Ask for more information on other tools or options if you feel a product is being highlighted.

  • Share feedback or concerns if you feel a presentation seems too promotional.

You can send concerns or questions through DPS’s Learner Feedback & Engagement or Grievance channels (for example, via the course evaluation form or support email).

VI. Our Promise to You

DPS is committed to:

  • Being open and honest about any instructor's proprietary interests.

  • Making sure these interests do not reduce the quality or fairness of your learning experience.

  • Updating disclosures if new interests appear and keeping records for IACET compliance.

By following this policy, we aim to give you a clear, trustworthy learning environment where you know how and why certain products or tools are mentioned in your course.

Contact Us

1408 W Abram St, Arlington, TX 76013

(323) 627-6191

[email protected]

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