BRONX, N.Y. – Fordham has signed an agreement with the global leader in alternative investment education, the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association, to become an Academic Partner of the organization. This Academic Partnership will enhance alternative investment learning opportunities for Fordham MBA students and is CAIA’s 24th partnership globally. Qualified students can compete for scholarships toward achieving the CAIA Charter, the benchmark in alternative investment education. The CAIA curriculum provides students with a distinct edge in the financial industry job market, which exhibits a growing demand for professionals with a strong knowledge of alternative investments. In addition, the faculty of the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham can apply for scholarships toward CAIA exams, and, through an agreement between the CAIA Foundation and CISDM, the Gabelli School will have one year of access to the Morningstar-CISDM hedge fund database.
The agreement was signed by Donna Rapaccioli, Dean of the Gabelli School of Business and the Business Faculty, and Hossein Kazemi, Senior Advisor of the CAIA Program and Professor of Finance at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
"This partnership and certification, in combination with our coursework, secondary concentration, and employer outreach will position our students to be valuable members of the alternative investment community upon graduation," stated Kevin Mirabile, CPA, DPS, Clinical Assistant Professor of Finance and Business Economics at Fordham.
“CAIA helps financial professionals get smart and stay smart through alternative investment education that is relevant, global, and exceptional,” said William Kelly, CEO of the CAIA Association. “We are delighted to have Fordham as an Academic Partner and look forward to seeing many students pursue the program.”
The CAIA Charter program is a rigorous, self-directed education program for finance professionals seeking to gain deep knowledge and expertise in alternative investing. The CAIA designation, which is granted upon successful completion of the program, is valued by top employers and recognized globally as the highest standard of achievement in alternative investment education.
After passing the CAIA Level I and II exams and meeting membership requirements, students will be eligible to join the CAIA Association, an exclusive community of more than 6,700 alternative investment professionals located in more than 80 countries. Membership is a gateway to CAIA’s global network, CAIA-preferred job postings, and opportunities to pursue lifelong learning in alternative investment education.
