When is the in-person program offered and where?
The in-person portion of the program is currently held annually in May, on campus at UCLA (view the schedule for upcoming dates). There is also a virtual coursework portion of the program that is completed on demand within the program’s timeline requirements (see below).
Who should enroll?
Almost any member of the defined contribution retirement ecosystem would find the coursework and professional connections made through the program beneficial. Examples include those in retirement plan management and administration roles, or those in 401(k) service provider roles such as institutional investment consultants; product, marketing, and sales leads at asset managers and recordkeepers; institutional performance reporting and data specialists; and others.
The program is not intended for entry level professionals, but rather those at early-to-mid career levels. Even professionals advanced in their careers are likely to discover important fundamentals or fresh insights as they advance through the program. In addition, once the program is completed, the iC(k)P designation is a clear way to convey to the marketplace that an individual is knowledgeable about the DC system and institutional investing environment.
What does the program offer?
The program offers both online, industry-specific content and business school best practices delivered by world-class professors in-person at UCLA.
Upon completion of the iC(k)P designation, you will have gained knowledge regarding:
- Behavioral Finance
- Decision Making during Uncertainty
- Technical Competence of DC Plans
- Understanding the Principles of Persuasion
- Building Strong Brands
- Optimizing Today's Decisions for Future Outcomes
- Understanding the landscape of the Qualified Plan business
- Fiduciary Awareness
- Optimizing Plan Outcomes
How long do I have to complete the iC(k)P designation program?
In general, those enrolled in the iC(k)P designation have two years to complete all required curriculum. The two-year period begins on the final day of class at UCLA. It is highly recommended to complete Level I coursework prior to the UCLA classes. All online study materials are made available upon making the initial payment.
How many questions are on the final exam(s) and what is a passing score?
The iC(k)P Designation Exam comprises 125 multiple-choice questions. The passing score is 80%
The iC(k)P Designation Exam - includes material from all sections of the online courses, Study Material and UCLA live classes. The Designation Exam is a proctored exam.
Once I complete the program, can I begin using the iC(k)P designation immediately?
Yes -- after a student successfully completes all the requirements, they are welcome to use the designation and will be given the iC(k)P Designation Usage Guidelines. The iC(k)P Designation is conferred in collaboration with UCLA Anderson School of Management Executive Education. The Guidelines must be adhered to by all who hold the iC(k)P Designation.
What are the ongoing continuing education requirements?
All iC(k)P Designation holders are responsible for completing 12 hours of continuing education (CE) credits every calendar year. Both self/online and in person hours are accepted, including DCIIA Forums.
What are the annual fees?
The annual fee is $480 and includes:
- Full access to annually updated online course, MB-210 Retirement Plan Market & Industry Review (which includes data and information from over 25 sources from academia, U.S. government, industry associations, and plan providers);
- Access to all TRAU instructors including iC(k)P designation TRAU professors in collaboration with UCLA;
- iC(k)P designation-holder profile hosted on the TRAU Registry (includes photo, bio and credentials and is available to plan sponsors, participants and plan providers);
- Continuing education cross-reporting, recordkeeping, and cobranding.
The annual fee is due the first day of month following the authorization to use the iC(k)P designation. The annual fee is due at calendar year end going forward.
Credit for colleagues: iC(k)P designation holders in good standing can receive additional value for their annual fee by applying the paid fee amount as a credit toward a colleague’s enrollment in the program during the same calendar year. Please contact us for details.
