The types of courses on capital markets that are available may be largely dependent on the provider of the curriculum. There are colleges and universities that offer training for undergraduate and graduate students in an attempt to prepare these individuals for a career in finance. Practicing professionals might also uncover courses on capital markets that can add to their level of expertise and prepare them for promotion, which may range from short-term seminars to study that unfolds over a period of months. Material could focus on the broader financial markets or be dedicated to a particular asset class, which is an investment grouping.
There are financial organizations and institutes that provide courses on capital markets for working or aspiring professionals. It is common for these instructors to designate the audience for whom the coursework is most appropriate. Professionals who are active in money management, for example, could find courses on capital markets that offer training on navigating an investment portfolio through various economic cycles. As a student excels through various levels of training, he or she may receive credits that eventually lead to an industry certification.
Other courses on capital markets might be more relevant for financial analysts. These professionals could increase their knowledge on how to assess risk based on current economic conditions or trends, or in light of recent global events. Given that there are new financial products that are introduced to the markets frequently, analysts might attend courses on capital markets that are geared toward preparing these professionals for a new generation of offerings.
Industry professionals could also seek courses on capital markets that offer insight and instruction about the various asset classes. Students can learn about equities, where stocks are traded, and fixed income, which is the segment where bonds are bought and sold, for instance. Also, asset class instruction might provide analysis on how the different investment categories might be related but also how they respond differently to changing economic cycles; this could focus on a particular region, or the teachers might take a more global approach.
Colleges and universities could provide undergraduate and graduate students with a comprehensive, foundational education on the capital markets. In these courses, which often unfold over several months throughout an entire semester, the basic framework of the financial markets, including common vocabulary as well as the range of industry participants, might be explained. These classes are generally appropriate for students with an interest in pursuing a career in finance or accounting.