Compiled below is a list of resources to expand your knowledge around sustainable investing. These foundational courses are available for students looking to expand their knowledge around socially responsible investing as well as use some of these certifications for the purpose of career development. Upon completion of any of these modules, students will understand how sustainable finance can be used as a tool to steer the sustainability transition.
| Institution | Name of Program | Cost | Overview of Program | Certification |
|
US SIF |
Sustainable Investing: An Online Course For Individual Investors | Free | Free online course for individual investors who want to learn the basics of sustainable investing and how to align their portfolios to address their social and environmental priorities. | N/A |
| US SIF | Fundamentals of Sustainable and Impact Investing | Mem. $200 Non $250 |
Live or Online. Completion of the course results in a better understanding of this industry and qualifies for continuing education credits (3 hours for CFP® Board and various other industry designations) | ✔ |
| CFA | Certificate in ESG Investing | $675 |
Offers both practical application and technical knowledge in the field of ESG investing — an opportunity to both accelerate progress and demonstrate purpose. |
✔ |
| PRI Academy | Getting Started in RI | $330 | Introduction to RI and new ideas to traditional investment methods (2-3hr course, 3 CE hours) | ✔ |
| PRI Academy | Foundations in RI | $845 | Explores key principles of RI, makes use of real case studies to demonstrate ESG issues in business and classifies methods for integrating sustainability data into financial models (12-14hr course, 10 CE hours) | ✔ |
| PRI Academy | Advanced RI Analysis | $920 | Directed for Investment professionals, this course introduces skills that help identify new value drivers in financial analysis and applies realistic tools for modelling and stock valuation (6-8 hr course, 6 CE hours) | ✔ |
| PRI Academy | RI for Trustees | $160 | Trustees will walk away with the knowledge as to why sustainability issues are important to pension funds, develop RI strategies that align with their fund’s objective, and pinpoint the relationship between ESG analysis and investment decisions (90-120 minutes) | ✔ |
| Chartered SRI Counselor | CSRIC Professional Designation Program | $1,300 int. $95 annually |
Designed for advanced financial advisors who want to gain foundational knowledge and advice for best practices with their clients concerning SRI (require renewal 16 hr CE/2yrs ) | Upon graduation, designee earns 3 Credit hrs toward MS degree in Financial Planning |
| IFF | Sustainable Investing Training course | $3,000 | 2 day training course in Central London with its purpose being to identify, structure and finance lucrative SI investments | 40 CPD points |
| IFF | ESG Training course | $1,550 | 1 day training course in London introducing the impact of ESG in investment including true illustrations of ESG and SRI practice | CDP certified |
| NYU Stern | Sustainable Finance and ESG Investing | $3,800 | 4 day online course designed for students with a background in finance to develop skills to identify and accelerate innovation by analyzing ESG impacts and outcomes | ✔ |
| NYU Stern | Corporate Sustainability | $1,936 Orig. $2,200 |
14 week pass/ fail program, 8-10 hrs per week | N/A |
| NYU Stern | Sustainability Training for Business Leaders | $3,800 | This 2 day course assists executives in developing the knowledge, skills, and perspective to understand and address ESG challenges and build companies that meet the needs of society | ✔ |
| Concordia | SI Professional Certification | Self Paced $1950 Mentored $3450 |
The SIPC is designed for those who have a keen desire to learn and implement sustainability programs. Applicants should have some knowledge of accounting, finance and/or investments. Offers both online self paced and virtual mentored options. | ✔ |
|
MMI Morningstar |
Sustainable Investing Curriculum | $595 | This program provides an intermediate-level overview of sustainable investing, key concepts and approaches, examination of common misconceptions, intro to ESG factor analysis and where it fits with traditional investment analysis. |
N/A |
| SASB | Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting Credential Level 1 | Mem. $400 Non. $450 |
The principles of SRI. (25 hr study exam prep material) | FSA Credit |
| SASB | Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting Credential Level 2 | Mem. $500 Non. $650 |
The application of SRI. (25 Hr study exam prep material) | FSA Credit |
|
Erasmus University Rotterdam |
Free |
~17 hours to complete, all online. At the end of this course, you will understand how sustainable finance can be used as a tool to steer the sustainability transition. |
N/A |