Choosing a Program

Determining which CAIA Association program is right for you will depend on several factors: What level of knowledge do you need? What is your current role? What path will your career take? And more. Compare our two programs below and assess for yourself:

Program Overview

The CAIA Charter is a self-study program and the go-to credential for investment professionals seeking to stay on the leading edge of our industry.

Who will benefit from taking the program?  

Professionals who want to develop a deep level of knowledge and demonstrated expertise in alternative investments and their contribution to the diversified portfolio should pursue the CAIA Charter.

• Asset Allocators

• Risk managers

• Analysts

• Portfolio managers

• Traders

• Consultants

• Business development/marketing

• Operations

• Advisors

How many exams will I need to take?

The CAIA Charter is granted upon completion of two levels of qualifying exams, combined with relevant professional experience.

How long will it take to complete the program?

A minimum of 200 hours of study time is recommended for each level (a total of approximately 400 hours).

When is the program offered?

Exams are offered in March and September, which allows Candidates to potentially complete the program in one year. The exams are available globally at proctored, computerized test centers and, in many cases, via an online proctored format from a secure location.

What do I achieve by successfully completing the program?

You will earn the CAIA Charter and be eligible to join the CAIA Association. By doing so, you may use the CAIA designation to signal your expertise in alternative investments and join a global community of over 12,000 CAIA Charterholders in more than 100 countries.

Can I join the CAIA Association after successfully completing the program?

Yes, after passing the Level II exam, you are eligible to join the CAIA Association with relevant professional experience. Only after joining the Association will you be eligible to add the CAIA designation to your professional profiles. 

How do I sign up for the program?

 

Register Now

Platform overview

UniFi by CAIA™ is a learning platform designed to provide education for professionals across the private wealth management industry. New learning pathways will be introduced throughout 2022 and beyond. The Fundamentals of Alternative Investments® program represents the first certificate available on UniFi by CAIA™. For more information on UniFI by CAIA™ and future developments on the platform, please click here.

Who will benefit from engaging with the UniFi by CAIA™ platform?

The profile of a typical UniFi by CAIA™ user will vary, but anyone who works within the private wealth management industry, whether it be an asset manager, an intermediary, or an advisory firm, will benefit from the programs available.

Some of the common job functions include: 

  • Wealth managers, financial planners, and consultants
  • Sales and marketing personnel
  • Administration/operations professionals
  • Students 
  • Lawyers, legal counsel, and compliance professionals
  • Accountants
  • Journalists and media professionals

How many exams will I need to take?

There are no qualifying exams on the UniFi by CAIA™ platform. Each program will have its own set of assessments, all of which will be contained within the platform. None will require an exam center at this time.

What are some of the programs currently available on UniFi by CAIA™?

The Fundamentals of Alternative Investments® certificate program is currently available on the UniFi by CAIA™ platform. To learn more about this program, please click here.

When are the programs offered?

Enrollment to any program on UniFi by CAIA™ is open year-round. You may start any program at any time.

What do I achieve by successfully completing a program?

Depending on the program, you will receive a certificate of completion and a digital badge from CAIA Association.

Can I join CAIA Association after successfully completing the program?

No, CAIA Association Membership is only available to CAIA Charterholders.

How do I sign up for the platform?

Go to UniFI by CAIA™ for individual enrollment. To stay updated on the latest UniFi by CAIA™ developments, sign-up here. 

Program overview

The Financial Data Professional credential is designed specifically to offer expertise in data science and its practical applications in finance to meet the needs of digital transformation within the industry.


Bringing together individuals and organizations from across the financial spectrum, the Financial Data Professional Institute unites a leading-edge curriculum with practical applications while incorporating professional standards and ethics.

Who will benefit from taking the program?

FDP® is the globally recognized credential for professionals managing, analyzing, translating, and distributing data in finance. Anyone with an interest in finance, technology, and practice is encouraged to pursue the program. 

How many exams will I need to take?

Successful completion of one FDP exam and the online coding requirement puts you in an influential group of Financial Data Professional Charterholders worldwide. All Candidates must complete the following two components with a passing score before obtaining their FDP charter

  • FDP Exam 
  • Online classes covering the basics of Python or R programming at DataCamp or DataQuest, or the single class offered by Metis. The online class requirements can be completed before or after a Candidate sits for the FDP exam.

How is the examination structured?

The FDP exam consists of 80 multiple choice questions weighted as 75% of the total points and two (2) to four (4) constructed response questions (multi-part essay type) weighted as 25% of the total points. The FDP exam will not contain any Python or R programming questions.

What topics are covered on the exam?

Topics Approximate Weight %
1. Introduction 5-12
2. Linear & logistic regression, support vector machines, regularization, and time series 10-15
3. Decision trees, supervised segmentation, and ensemble methods 10-15
4. Classification, clustering, and Naive Bayes 5-12
5. Neural networks and reinforcement learning 5-12
6. Performance evaluation, back-testing, and false discoveries 5-12
7.  Text Mining  5-12
8.  Ethical & Privacy Issues 5-12
9. Fintech Applications 25-40

 

How long will it take to complete the program?


77% of Charter holders who earn their FDP Charter do so in 3-4 months.

When is the program offered?

The exam is administered twice annually (April and October) and is a four-hour computer-administered examination.  It is available globally at proctored, computerized test centers and, in many cases, via an online proctored format from a secure location. Candidates should anticipate approximately 200+ hours of study in preparation for the FDP exam. 


What do I achieve by successfully completing the program?

 

  • A Charter and Digital Badge will be awarded when you meet the following criteria:
  • Completion of the online course requirement
  • Successfully pass the FDP examSign the Code of Ethics
  • Submit two (2) professional references

What will my proficiency level be after completing the program?

The FDP Charter could be an essential step in your continued education and can help you gain a competitive edge in the data-driven finance industry. 

How do I sign up for the program?


A great start includes reviewing the Introduction to the FDP Charter (PDF) or visiting fdpinstitute.org to learn more.