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Global Academy of Cognitive Systems (GACS)

Student Handbook

Program: Certified LLM Engineer (CLLME) · Credential Level: Professional Diploma · Version: 2026 Edition

Audience: Students, Candidates, Graduates

Section 1Welcome Message

Welcome to the Certified LLM Engineer (CLLME) Program.

You are entering one of the world's most advanced and practical professional training programs. This program is designed to prepare you for designing, training, evaluating, optimizing, and deploying large language models from scratch — tokenization, transformers, fine-tuning, RLHF, RAG, evaluation, inference optimization, and production deployment.

By completing this program, you will earn the professional designation: Certified LLM Engineer (CLLME).

Section 2Program Structure

The program consists of:

  • 12 Instructional Modules
  • 12 Quizzes (80% minimum)
  • Workbook Exercises
  • Capstone Project
  • 100-Question Final Exam
  • Diploma, Transcript, and Badge Pack

Each module includes:

  • Textbook
  • Video script
  • Instructor notes
  • Workbook
  • Quiz
  • Automation unlock logic

Section 3Learning Outcomes

By the end of this program, you will be able to:

  • Implement tokenization, embeddings, and attention from scratch
  • Build and train transformer-based language models
  • Fine-tune base models with SFT, LoRA, and PEFT methods
  • Apply RLHF and modern alignment techniques
  • Design RAG pipelines and evaluation harnesses
  • Optimize inference cost, latency, and throughput
  • Ship LLM systems to production with monitoring
  • Deliver an end-to-end capstone LLM system

Section 4Student Expectations

Students are expected to:

  • Complete all modules in order
  • Score ≥ 80% on each quiz
  • Complete workbook exercises
  • Submit a Capstone Project
  • Pass the final exam
  • Maintain academic integrity
  • Ask questions when needed
  • Engage with the material

Section 5Quizzes & Assessments

  • Each module ends with a quiz
  • Minimum passing score: 80%
  • Unlimited retries
  • Quizzes unlock the next module
  • Scores appear on your transcript

Section 6Capstone Project

The Capstone is your final demonstration of mastery.

You will build a full enterprise‑grade AI agent system that includes:

  • Multi-agent collaboration
  • Tools and APIs
  • Memory and RAG
  • Planning and autonomy
  • Safety and governance
  • Deployment and observability

Capstone Rubric:

CriterionPoints
Architecture20
Agent Design20
RAG System15
Tools & APIs15
Planning & Autonomy10
Deployment10
Documentation5
Demo Video5
Passing Score80%

Section 7Final Exam

  • 100 multiple-choice questions
  • Covers all 12 modules
  • Passing score: 80%
  • One retake allowed
  • Passing unlocks your diploma and master badge

Section 8Academic Integrity

You must complete your own work.

Violations include:

  • Plagiarism
  • Misrepresentation
  • Unauthorized collaboration
  • Tampering with records
  • Attempting to falsify credentials

Consequences may include:

  • Warning
  • Assignment failure
  • Removal from program
  • Credential revocation

Section 9Study Strategies

  • Read each module fully
  • Complete workbook exercises
  • Take notes on key concepts
  • Review diagrams and examples
  • Practice tool and API reasoning
  • Revisit memory and RAG concepts
  • Prepare early for the Capstone
  • Review quizzes before the final exam

Section 10Support & Communication

If you need help:

  • Contact your instructor
  • Review module notes
  • Revisit workbook exercises
  • Ask for clarification

Support emails:

Section 11Credentials You Will Earn

Upon successful completion, you will receive:

  • Official Diploma (CLLME)
  • Official Transcript
  • Six Digital Badges
  • Verification Registry Entry
  • Portfolio-ready Capstone Project

These credentials may be used on:

  • Résumés
  • LinkedIn
  • Portfolios
  • Job applications
  • Professional profiles

Section 12Verification & Authenticity

All credentials can be verified at:

https://verify.gacs.global/diploma/{{diploma_number}}

Employers may print verification pages for HR or compliance files.

Section 13Completion Requirements

To graduate, you must:

  • Complete all modules
  • Pass all quizzes
  • Submit and pass the Capstone
  • Pass the final exam
  • Maintain academic integrity
END OF STUDENT GUIDE · © GACS · CLLME Program · 2026 Edition