For some investment professionals, passing the CFA exams and becoming a Charterholder is seen as a holy grail. It takes years of studying and passing rigorous exams—plus extensive professional commitment to reach the educational achievement.

But for the 200,000 CFA Institute members—as well as others working in the investment community—lifelong learning is increasingly becoming the reality as technology advances and intersects with finance. According to Learnsignal, upskilling can be the key to staying ahead of the curve in the industry for financial managers.

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To meet these demands, the CFA Institute is rolling out new certification programs in increasingly relevant topics like sustainability and data science. Richard Fernand is the head of certificate management at CFA Institute.

“Our emphasis is [on] helping people to learn; we want them to be able to apply their skills. And we’re utilizing lots of different ways, lots of different learning modalities that help them to learn the right techniques and to be able to apply their skills,” Fernand tells Fortune.

Each certificate takes an approximate study commitment close to 100 hours over the course of six months to a year—but at your own pace. Prices range from $350 for the foundational certificate to nearly $1600 for the data science program.

Five years ago, the nonprofit launched a certificate in environment, social, and governance (ESG) investing. Fernand says it has been extremely popular among existing and external audiences—possibly because it is less of a daunting and scary prospect than the flagship CPA program.

Anastasia Diakaki, senior director of product management, professional learning at CFA Institute, says like the rest of the market, topics like sustainability and AI have been huge trends in the investment industry; thus the nonprofit hopes to provide professionals with the most up-to-date skills.

In a CFA Institute report, 89% of investment industry leaders agreed that adaptability and lifelong learning will be the most essential skills as individuals’ roles will likely transform multiple times. Enrolling in a certificate program is a great way to start or continue a journey of lifelong learning, Diakaki adds.

Financial and investment analyst positions are growing faster than the national job average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Reimagining learning online

As constant upskilling becomes more necessary, especially in an online format, Fernand and Diakaki say CFA is trying to make the experience more engaging.

Starting with its new climate risk, valuation, and investing certification, the program will instead offer enrollment in cohorts and include synchronous, asynchronous, and even peer-to-peer learning opportunities.

“We’re actually asking people choose when you want to begin, go through this experience at your own pace—but together with others so that you can benefit from other parts of an educational experience and a certificate experience that you wouldn’t normally get if you’re just sitting there studying on your own,” Diakaki says.

She adds this will create a more interactive experience that is not just centered around a curriculum and textbook memorization; instead, practical skills will be at the forefront.

Enrollment in the new climate-related certificate begins Nov. 30 for a February 26, 2024, start.

“We validate everything we teach people with investment professionals. We like to say that we are creating our products by investment professionals for investment professionals. And I’m sure you would want the same thing if you’re a doctor, if you’re a journalist, whatever your profession is,” Diakaki says.

“We have all of these areas you have an opportunity to explore in a way which is really quite engaging and accessible. So, none of it has to be scary anymore. You don’t have to fear failures, we encourage them through the learning experience,” Fernand adds.

To make it easier—or even less scary—Fortune has compiled a list of CFA’s certification programs with open enrollment to compare.

Data Science for Investment Professionals Certificate

Cost: $1,599

Time to complete: 12 months

Estimated study commitment: 90–100 hours

Certificate in ESG Investing

Cost: $865 (effective Jan. 1)

Time to complete: 6 months

Estimated study commitment: 100 hours

Private Markets and Alternative Investments Certificate

Cost: $899

Time to complete: 12 months

Estimated study commitment: 70–90 hours

Investment Foundations® Certificate

Cost: $350

Time to complete: 12 months

Estimated study commitment: 60–90 hours

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