The courses and research that the Institute provides can be a barometer for the issues in play in wealth management, such as ESG investing and the use of AI technology.

The CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, has launched a Private Markets and Alternative Investments Certificate, highlighting how this area is increasingly important for wealth management professionals to understand.

The program provides foundational-level knowledge across alternative investments.

The Institute said the certificate suits new entrants to the industry who want to work for a General Partner firm or other alternatives specialists, existing investors or asset owners seeking to allocate investments to private markets or alternative investments, and consultants working with GPs or Limited Partner (LP) firms.

The type of courses and research that the Institute provides can be a barometer for the issues in play: it has developed courses and materials about ESG investing and the use of AI technology, among other topics, in recent years.

The new certificate is a five-course, self-paced online program with a foundational curriculum that is enhanced with additional practitioner insights and perspectives. It equips learners with essential knowledge of private equity, private credit, real estate, infrastructure, commodities, and hedge funds. 

“The Private Markets and Alternative Investments Certificate offers strong foundational learning and practical content providing candidates with increased confidence and enhanced credibility within their organizations,” the Institute said in a statement. “We plan in the near future to release more advanced certificates that will provide learners with a ladder up to more advanced skills.”