PSE CERTIFIED SECURITIES SPECIALIST COURSE The Philippine Stock Exchange Certified Securities Specialist Course (PSE Securities Course or the Program) is a key initiative of the Exchange envisioned to provide continuing education for market participants. It is a 127-hour program that puts emphasis on financial market theories, valuation techniques and analysis, investment portfolio management, ethics, regulations, and market dynamics. The PSE Securities Course was chartered and developed by the PSE, led by its Market Education Department, together with a composite team of noted academicians and market practitioners. The Program currently runs in partnership with the Ateneo Center for Continuing Education (Ateneo CCE), University of the Philippines Development Center for Finance (UP DCF), University of Santo Tomas Center for Continuing Professional Education and Development (UST CCPED), and the Information and Communications Technology Academy, Inc. (iacademy). 1. The PSE Securities Course is a certification program. 2. The Program is course- or module-based. It is comprised of thirteen (13) subject areas focused on the equities market and capital market industry. All courses are conducted in succession, of which some are pre-requisites to other courses. 3. Each course covers an intensive learning process to ensure understanding and appreciation of the subject. This includes theory discussions, concept application to actual settings, and group dynamics. 4. Written tests are given at the end of each course while a major comprehensive exam is taken by the participants after the Program ends. 5. Participants are expected to graduate after passing all exams and completing the Program requirements. 1. Six (6) units credit are granted to Graduates of PSE Certified Securities Specialist Course. Page 1 of 6
2. Fast paced-program takes a little over a year or less depending on your capital market credits. 3. Team teaching, outcome, competency based learning by mostly market experts. 4. More practical and field group work with minimal lectures and exams. 1. To provide a continuing education program for the public that will enhance their knowledge about the capital markets industry, with specific focus on the equities industry. 2. To enhance the investing, trading and analytical skills of investors and industry practitioners. 3. To promote an investment culture among Filipinos and the general public. Individuals are encouraged to enroll in the Program: 1. Investor who desires to manage his/her own portfolio. 2. Trading participant or market/industry practitioner who wants to enhance investment, trading, and analytical skills. a. Securities salesman/representative b. Investment adviser c. Trader d. Analyst e. Backroom operations personnel (associated person or compliance officer) 3. An executive, officer, or employee a. Private corporation or listed company b. Philippine Stock Exchange c. Securities and Exchange Commission; and d. Government financial institutions (i.e., GSIS, SSS, BSP, DBP, Land Bank) 4. Entrepreneurs 5. Academe and students a. Professors of business related courses b. Members of the academe c. Graduate students 6. An individual interested to learn about the capital market industry and equities market or wishes to jumpstart a career in finance or capital market industry. Page 2 of 6
By the end of the Program, participants should gain knowledge and understanding on the following: 1. Nature and function of the financial and capital markets. 2. General economics and how this influence industries and companies. 3. Financial products and instruments, i.e., securities and derivatives. 4. Financial statement and risk analysis. 5. Different approaches on valuating a company and its stock. 6. Equity portfolio management. 7. Concept of asset pricing, risk, and return. 8. Use, reading, and analysis of charts. 9. Statistics and application of statistical techniques. 10. Code of standards and ethics in the asset management industry, and securities regulation. PROGRAM CURRICULUM No. of Hours 1. Quantitative Methods of Finance 9 2. Macroeconomics 9 3. Analysis and Use of Financial Statements 12 4. Organization of Financial and Equities Markets 9 5. Valuation 12 6. Portfolio Management 9 7. Fundamental and Technical Analysis 9 8. Risk Management 9 9. Fixed Income and the Bond Market 9 10. Raising Capital in the Capital Markets 9 11. Introduction to Derivatives 9 12. Ethics in the Professional Asset Management Industry 6 13. Securities Regulation 6 14. Recent Developments in the Capital Markets 3 Total Hours for Courses 120 hrs Review and Mock Exam 4 hrs Comprehensive Exam 3 hrs TOTAL PROGRAM HOURS 127 HOURS Page 3 of 6
At three (3) hours per lecture session, the Program will comprise of forty-two (42) sessions including the review and certification exam. Team teaching shall be employed as a main strategy for instruction. The Program is delivered by way of a number of teaching methodologies. Lecture discussions, concept application to actual settings, case studies, simulations, and group dynamics are conducted to ensure participant s full understanding and appreciation of the course content. Multi-media presentations are also used to complement classroom discussions. Moreover, participants have computer laboratory hours dedicated for hands-on trainings using different financial information softwares. Participants are expected to be always prepared as written examinations are given after the end of each course. On top of these, participants are required to attend at least two (2) PSE-organized seminars and activities such as stock market orientations, industry and economic briefings, and Exchange and brokerage visits. The PSE and partner school will announce the schedules. H. Faculty Pool The PSE Securities Course houses a topnotch pool of faculty and experts from the academe and the capital market industry. Lecturers of the Program are master s and/or doctorate degree holders and current or former industry practicitioners with solid experience in the capital market. I. Course Requirements Students should fulfill the following requirements: 1. Should attend at least 80% of the total learning hours required by the Program. Participants are discouraged to be absent on any particular training day. The participant is responsible for the missed activities, graded reports, or examinations. Page 4 of 6
If the participant fails to attend, an excuse letter should be submitted to the program facilitator or PSE training staff. Further, in any event when the participant fails to complete one or any academic module/s, he/ she should attend the missed module/s on the next run of the course in the same partner school. A participant is only allowed to complete the missed module/s within one year from the end date of the run he/she is initially enrolled in. 2. Participation and attendance to two (2) or more PSE-organized events such as seminars, briefings, and events. 3. Completed and submitted all required academic records and course requirements of the Program. 4. Achieved the passing rates required by the Program. J. Schedule and Venue 1. Regular classes are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (6:00 PM 9:00 PM). 2. Each course is given a total of eight (8) learning hours, devoted for classroom lectures and concept application activities, and sixty (60) minutes for the end-of course examinations. Time MWF PM 5:30-6:00 Registration and Attendance 6:00-7:30 Class Lecture (MW) / Activities (F) 7:30-8:00 Dinner Break 8:00-9:00 Class Lecture (MW) / Exam (F) 3. Classes are conducted at the educational facilities of the partner school. Partner School Ateneo CCE UP DCF UST CCPED Ateneo Professional Schools Building 130 H.V. Dela Costa St. Salcedo Village, Makati City College of Business Administration UP Diliman Campus, Quezon City Graduate School - CCPED Building Page 5 of 6
iacademy UST España Boulevard Sampaloc, Manila iacademy Building Ayala Avenue, Makati City K. Examinations To measure the participant s understanding of the subjects being discussed, the Program requires participants to take and successfully pass all examinations of their enrolled courses, inclusive of prerequisite subject/s, if offered. The Program has two types of examinations: 1. End-of-Course Examinations (Given after the eight (8) Learning Hours of each course); and 2. Final Comprehensive Examination (Given after the last course of the Program) The passing rate for the End-of-Course Examination is 75% while the Final Comprehensive Exam is 70% or the equivalent Quality Point Index rating. Page 6 of 6