Curriculum Overview:

The curriculum of The Retirement Advisor University and pathway to earning your C(k)P™ designation consists of courses, which are separated into three progressive levels of knowledge and skill. These levels are:

Foundation Curriculum
Specialist Curriculum
Mastery Curriculum

Each knowledge level is separated into four “Areas of Study”

1. Technical Competence
2. Optimizing Plan Outcomes
3. Management and Business
4. Sales & Marketing

Getting Started
Each student begins their study with the Foundation Curriculum. Students with previous experience and knowledge in the retirement plan industry may be eligible to “test out” of the Foundation Curriculum. Eligibility is determined by the student and an assessment by the TRAU Enrollment Committee. The decision to make this request should be based upon a solid understanding of the retirement plan industry and the topics listed in the Foundation Curriculum. Candidates who are granted a “test out” opportunity and are not successful must complete the Foundation Curriculum.

401(k) Core Competencies, Certificate of Completion: Upon completion of the Foundation Curriculum, and the Specialist Curriculum, the student is required to take a final exam. Upon passing the exam, he or she is awarded a Certificate of Completion for 401(k) Core Competencies

C(k)P™ Designation: The C(k)P™ designation is awarded when a qualified candidate completes the Mastery Curriculum, passes a final exam and submits a real-world case study. Mastery Curriculum coursework is only available to candidates who complete, or test out of Foundation Curriculum, complete the Specialist Curriculum and pass the final exam.

TRAU™ Learning Platforms

The curriculum for The Retirement Advisor University has been developed to deliver the topics and materials needed to acquire the C(k)P™ designation, and the skills it represents, in an effective and efficient style. The learning experience is a blend of classroom and asynchronous learning, applying most of the standardized forms of instruction available in the modern world.

Instructor-led Classroom:
Classroom courses are conducted at UCLA Anderson School of Management Executive Education on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, CA and other select locations. Classroom instruction sessions require three to five days attendance.

Instructor-Led Virtual Classroom:
Live web casts are conducted many times throughout the year on various topics. Students are required to attend a minimum number of live virtual classroom sessions each year.

Online Classroom:
Online courses, or E-Learning courses, are required during each segment of certification and are a major component of TRAU™ coursework delivery. Online learning environments permit a full range of interactive methodologies at the same time permitting access to vast amounts of data

 Study Groups:
Study groups are organized during the classroom sessions, and can be assigned as part of the after hours learning experience. Many students find it beneficial to be part of a local, regional, or virtual study group to share knowledge and experience.

Social Networking:
Social networking tools are used for, community building, study groups and access to lecturers for students. Social networking tools are a great way to facilitate communication and community in such a geographically varied group.