The Investment Management Consultants Association today announced that an online education program for CIMA certification candidates would be offered through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management beginning June 1.

Professor Andrew Lo, a leading authority on hedge funds, financial engineering, risk management, and behavioral economics, will serve as the program’s faculty advisor, according to the announcement.

Cost and convenience are two of the factors that prompted IMCA to partner with MIT. The online program with MIT's Sloan School will cost $3995, compared to $6,500 at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Moreover, candidates have the flexibility of studying on their own time. At other univerisities offering the program, they must take five or six days off.

The program includes study aids and resources including videos, learning modules, exercises, and application. Participants must complete 40 hours of required online work, pass section quizzes, and pass an exam within a 60-day window to successfully complete the course.

The MIT Sloan School of Management joins Carnegie Mellon University, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania in offering CIMA candidates the educational component of the certification.