CFA Program
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The CFA® charter is respected as the gold standard of professional credentials within the global investment community. The prestige of the charter is due, in part, to the challenging nature of the exams. To earn a CFA® charter, candidates study for three exams (Levels I, II, III) using an assigned curriculum. Candidates who pass all three exams and meet the professional and ethical requirements, become a regular member of CFA Institute, or "charterholder."
The Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta is one of a select group of global institutions that have demonstrated that our curriculum contains 70 per cent of the CFA® Level 1 curriculum (Candidate Body of Knowledge) from the CFA® Program.
As a partner in the CFA® University Affiliation Program, the Alberta School has also committed to the CFA® Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct in our degree programs.
The Alberta School's recognition as a CFA® Program Partner demonstrates that our undergraduate curriculum is closely tied to professional practice and is well suited to preparing students to sit for the CFA exams.
CFA Program Curriculum
The CFA Program curriculum is organized into various topics, and each topic contains different learning modules. The topics and learning modules vary with the three levels. While focusing on similar topics as shown below,
Level I tests key concepts and formulas that are the foundation of the investment industry, and level II tests how you provide solutions using the knowledge you have accumulated.
- Ethical and Professional Standards
- Quantitative Methods
- Economics
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Corporate Issuers
- Equity Investments
- Fixed Income
- Derivatives
- Alternative Investments
- Portfolio Management
Level III emphasizes how you integrate the above concepts and apply them into real-world scenarios.
- Asset Allocation
- Portfolio Construction
- Performance Measurement
- Derivatives and Risk Management
- Ethical and Professional Standards
- Pathways (Portfolio Management or Private Markets or Private Wealth)
For more information on the CFA® Program, please visit the CFA Institute website.
Curriculum Mapping
To help you align your academic journey with your professional goals, the table below maps key topics tested in the CFA® Level I and Level II exams directly to essential undergraduate courses at University of Alberta.
| CFA Exam Topics | Courses at the U of A |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Methods | STAT 161, MGTSC 212 |
| Economics | ECON 101, ECON 102 |
| Financial Statement Analysis | ACCTG 211, ACCTG 312 |
| Corporate Issuers | FIN 201, FIN 430 |
| Equity Investments | FIN 322 |
| Fixed Income | FIN 418 |
| Derivatives | FIN 413 |
| Alternative Investments | FIN 460 |
| Portfolio Management | FIN 312, FIN 416 |
| Ethical and Professional Standards |
SEM 406 |
Beyond these traditional exam topics, candidates must complete Practical Skills Modules (PSM) to advance through the CFA® program and earn their charter. These hands-on modules bridge theory with industry practice, focusing on practical skills such as programming and application of AI and Data science on investment. The following table maps PSM to sample courses at the University of Alberta. For more information about PSM, please visit the CFA® program.
| PSM Topics | Courses at the U of A |
|---|---|
| Programming | CMPUT 174, CMPUT 175 |
| AI, Data Science and Investment | CMPUT 191, CMPUT 267, FIN 450 |
While these courses provide an essential foundation in core financial concepts, they may not fully cover the comprehensive scope of the official CFA exams. To ensure you meet degree requirements while maximizing your exam preparation, please review the Undergraduate Curriculum Guide for additional recommended coursework and more details about CFA® exams. Students can consult with a Program Advisor for information on course selection.
Academic Roadmaps
As a partner of the CFA® University Affiliation Program, the Alberta School of Business bridges rigorous academic theory with real-world professional practice. Our goal is to strategically guide you through each stage of the examinations toward earning your CFA® Charter.
The following sample tracks are designed to help you plan exactly when to take specific courses to optimize your study timeline — whether your goal is to master level I or get a head start on level II. By offering the standard and fast tracks, the program leaves you the freedom to choose the learning pace that best fits your personal academic journey and career goals.
Standard Track
Year 1
- ECON 101
- ECON 102
- STAT 161
- CMPUT 174
Year 2
- ACCTG 211
- MGTSC 212
- FIN 201
Year 3
- ACCTG 312
- FIN 312
- FIN 322
- FIN 413
Year 4
- FIN 416
- FIN 418
- FIN 430
- FIN 450
- FIN 460
The standard track follows a traditional, four-year academic timeline designed to prepare students to sit for the level I exam during their final year of undergraduate study. Foundational courses in economics, statistics and programming are established in year 1, leading into core intermediate finance requirements in years 2 and 3. By year 4, students complete their preparation alongside their degree requirements by taking on advanced finance electives.
This track distributes the coursework evenly across four years, providing students with an optimal window to build a steady academic foundation and thoroughly prepare for the level I exam.
FAST Track
*Information coming soon.