International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans: Investment Courses

Program Experience

Highlights and Key Outcomes

Through the IFEBP-Wharton programs, you will:

• Learn the core concepts and tools needed for effective portfolio oversight
• Obtain a solid grounding in the principles of modern portfolio theory
• Enhance your ability to assess the strategic impact of your competitors' moves and how to maintain competitive advantage
• Learn the intricacies of alternate investment strategies, from real estate and hedge funds to private equity

Experience & Impact

Wharton faculty — led by Associate Professor Jeffrey Jaffe, an expert on corporate finance, investments, and money management — will apply their field-based research and the latest strategic insights to give you a strong foundation, theory, and practical application of investment management.

Each program is an independent unit that may be completed in any sequence, although we strongly encourage individuals with little experience with investment programs to complete the Portfolio Concepts and Management program as a foundation prior, to attending others.

Portfolio Concepts and Management

This program provides the core principles of portfolio theory and investment performance measurement, offering practical tools and experiences to help you make reliable investment management decisions. Grow confidence in your ability to evaluate investments with a broad, fundamental understanding of investment products and practices. Program attendees will learn in a variety of settings — lecture/discussion sessions, problem solving exercises and small-group case study sessions.

Overall, you will:

• Obtain a solid grounding in the principles of modern portfolio theory
• Learn the fundamental concepts needed for effective portfolio oversight
• Enhance your ability to manage pensions in a risky global environment
• Apply what you have learned in an interactive case study

Advanced Investments Management

This program is for those who have a solid grasp of investment management fundamentals and seek to learn more, or have taken the Portfolio Concepts and Management program and are looking for the “next step.” It is assumed participants will already understand the basic principles of portfolio theory, performance evaluation, and risk/return.

Overall, you will:

• Engage in a thorough and rigorous program that builds on participants’ existing knowledge base and experience
• Learn the latest trends in performance analysis and management
• Discuss advanced asset-allocation topics
• Apply what you have learned in an interactive case study

Alternative Investment Strategies

This program provides practical education to help you understand the complexities of alternative investments. Focused on the topics of hedge funds and real estate investing for benefit funds, this advanced-level program will provide you with the tools to make effective investment decisions. The course schedule covers lecture/discussion sessions, problem-solving exercises and group breakout sessions.

Overall, you will:

• Engage in a thorough and rigorous program that builds on participants’ existing knowledge base and experience.
• Discuss hedge fund allocation and investing
• Learn what you should consider when investing in real estate
• Hear what strategies your peers are using

International and Emerging Market Investing

This 2½-day specialty program is designed to provide insight into the global marketplace to those who already have a solid grasp on basic investment topics. Discover investment opportunities and risks of international and emerging countries and how to navigate these risks.

Overall, you will:

• Obtain a solid understanding of the opportunities and risks surrounding international investing
• Discuss the impact of the global economy on your investment portfolio
• Learn what you should consider when investing in emerging markets
• Hear what strategies your peers are using