Private Markets and Alternative Investments Certificate
Looking to build clear, practical and foundational knowledge of private markets and alternatives? The Private Markets and Alternative Investments Certificate provides a comprehensive survey of critical terminology and investment concepts related to private markets. Understand the key features and differences between private equity, private credit, real estate and infrastructure, natural resources, commodities, and hedge funds.
Build a foundational understanding
As private markets grow within portfolios, professionals need a clear grasp of how they work. The Private Markets and Alternative Investments Certificate is an introduction for anyone planning to work with private markets, helping you build that foundation. Built on the globally recognized CFA® Program, it provides the terminology, concepts and practical context to engage confidently with colleagues and clients.
Why choose the Private Markets and Alternative Investments Certificate?
Investor‑ready vocabulary
Speak the language of private markets clearly and precisely.
Practical skills
Learn how to connect core concepts to real‑world investment contexts and decision‑making across private markets.
Authoritative content
Learn with content built on the industry‑leading CFA® Program and developed with practicing subject matter experts around the world.
Asset-class characteristics
Grasp the key characteristics that define the major alternative asset classes.
Insights from experts
Benefit from the knowledge of established practitioners with a Private Markets and Alternative Investments Certificate, developed by leaders in investment education.
Enhanced professional profile
Share your achievement on professional networks with a shareable digital badge on completion.
Explore our private markets certificates
Build your skills with the CFA Institute private markets learning pathway – three certificates designed to support every stage of your career, from foundational knowledge to advanced private equity. Complete one or stack them together for a deeper understanding of this growing area of investing.
Who should enroll
- People interested in a career in the private markets industry who aspire to work for a general partner firm (GP), limited partner (LP), or other alternatives specialists.
- Students who aspire to work in the private markets industry.
- Existing industry professionals such as investors or asset owners looking to transition into private markets.
- Investment Consultants working with general partner or limited partner firms who want to understand the industry landscape and terminology.
- Investment practitioners who want to strengthen their understanding of key concepts before pursuing more advanced training.
Roles suited to this certificate
If you work in any of the roles below, this certificate helps you build the terminology and practical context needed to engage confidently with private markets.
Primary
- Asset Manager
- Portfolio Manager
- Relationship Manager
- Customer service roles
- Fund marketing
- Sales roles
Also relevant
- Private Wealth Manager
- Credit Analyst
- Equity Analyst
- Investment Consultant
- Investment Strategist
- Performance Analyst
- Private Equity Associate
- Product Manager
- Risk Analyst
Curriculum
Discover the different roles played by private markets and alternative investments in multi-asset portfolios.
Understand the features, investment characteristics, risk and return profiles, and diversification benefits of private equity and private credit investments. Learn how these - plus other factors - drive investors’ interest.
Gain valuable insight into the roles played by real estate and infrastructure investments in multi-asset portfolios.
Become familiar with commodities and natural resources, and their crucial role within investment portfolios.
Understand the features of hedge funds including their structures, strategies, risk and return profiles, and diversification benefits of hedge fund investments.
Complete the Private Markets and Alternative Investments Certificate with an online, unproctored assessment, made up of 60 multiple-choice questions. You’ll have two attempts to complete the assessment.
Learn via engaging content and activities
Work toward the Private Markets and Alternative Investments Certificate in a flexible way that fits your schedule.
Self-paced online learning
Assess interactive lessons including readings, expert videos, and peer discussion forums.
Regular knowledge checks
Short assessments reinforce the concepts covered in each lesson and support retention.
Voices of success: Certificate testimonials
See how the Private Markets and Alternative Investments Certificate has benefitted previous candidates.
The certificate offers excellent insights on each and every asset class, topped off with real-life case studies and interactive Q&A sessions.
Taking this course was part of my continuous learning ambition, and it's been an opportunity to complement my knowledge of traditional public markets with concepts, terminology, and key aspects of private markets.
Private Markets and Alternative Investments Certificate
- Certificate – 5 course series
- Foundational level
- 70-90 hours to complete
- Self-paced online learning
Frequently asked questions
You’ll have access to the learning materials for 12 months from the date of purchase. Learning materials and assessments can be accessed anywhere, online, providing maximum flexibility and convenience to candidates.
Yes, the course provides downloadable module summaries for your convenience. However, the full curriculum is not available in hard copy or PDF format. You can access all the comprehensive content and resources online.
The certificate combines readings and videos, all delivered through our interactive online learning platform. This blended format ensures a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.
The certificate is not purely conceptual; it includes numerous calculation-based questions to ensure practical understanding and application of mathematical concepts within private markets and alternative investments.
Interested in group or team purchases?
Submit an inquiry and one of our specialists will contact you to discuss.
