How to Obtain Your CEFS Certificate
—Curriculum, Tests, and Study Supports
Curriculum
The CEFS curriculum mirrors the core content of Economics and Finance minor programs at mainstream North American business schools. To earn the certificate, students must complete six foundational modules covering essential topics in economics and finance:
- Module 1. Fundamentals of Microeconomics
- Module 2. Fundamentals of Macroeconomics
- Module 3. Market Efficiency
- Module 4. Managerial Economics
- Module 5. Financial Institutions
- Module 6. Financial Markets
Tests
Each of the above six modules includes five units, for a total of 30 course units. Every unit includes an online, open-book quiz that must be completed to demonstrate your understanding of the material.
To earn the Certificate in Economic and Financial Studies (CEFS), you must complete or review all course materials and pass the associated quizzes for each unit. Typically, the requirements for obtaining the certificate are:
- Achieve a minimum score of 60% on each of the 30 quizzes, and
- Maintain an overall average score of 80% or higher across all quizzes.
- Maintain an overall average score of 80% or higher across all quizzes.
Detailed testing policies, grading criteria, and completion requirements will be provided in the Student Manual upon registration.
Learning Management System (LMS)
Registered students will have access to the program’s dedicated online Learning Management System (LMS), where all learning materials for each module and unit are provided. These include course slides, lecture audios, and full transcripts. The LMS also hosts all unit quizzes and handles key administrative services related to the program.
Most learning and assessment materials on the LMS are available in English only. However, students are permitted to use dictionaries or appropriate AI translation tools (not provided by IAEBM) to support their learning.
The LMS is user-friendly and highly flexible, allowing you to tailor your learning and testing schedule to fit your individual needs and availability.
Study Supports
In addition to online resources, each student is supported by an Academic Advisor and one or two Teaching Assistants (TAs). Your Academic Advisor oversees your overall progress, reviews test performance, ensures compliance with course requirements, and makes the final decision regarding the awarding of your certificate. TAs are available to answer questions about course content, assist with quiz preparation, and support administrative processes.
For most inquiries or issues, students should contact their TAs first. If further assistance is needed, your TA will direct you to your Academic Advisor or the appropriate IAEBM staff member.
More Information
Explore the following links to learn more about CEFS:
