Private Equity Program – Curriculum
Curriculum Overview
The curriculum provides a structured study of the analytical, financial and economic principles used in private equity evaluation and transaction execution. Instruction is organized through sequential modules that build competence across investment analysis, transaction structure and portfolio value creation.
Module Structure
The curriculum is delivered online through twelve modules. Each module includes lectures, readings, analytical exercises and case based evaluation. Modules progress from foundational concepts to advanced transaction and portfolio analysis.
Modules
Module 1.
- Foundations of Private Equity
- Structure of private markets
- Investment models
- Roles of general partners and limited partners
- Economic incentives and policy considerations
Module 2.
- Financial Statement Review and Company Fundamentals
- Cash flow analysis
- Earnings quality
- Working capital evaluation
- Operating performance drivers
Module 3.
- Valuation Methods in Private Equity
- Comparable company analysis
- Transaction comparables
- Intrinsic valuation considerations
- Sensitivity and scenario analysis
Module 4.
- Transaction Structure and Capital Formation
- Equity structure
- Leverage considerations
- Financing sources
- Terms and economic implications
Module 5.
- Buyout Modeling and Return Analysis
- Cash flow modeling
- Debt schedules
- Return composition
- Performance drivers
Module 6.
- Commercial Due Diligence
- Market evaluation
- Competitive assessment
- Customer and product review
- Operational considerations
Module 7.
- Financial Due Diligence
- Quality of earnings
- Balance sheet review
- Cash flow drivers
- Forecast evaluation
Module 8.
- Value Creation and Portfolio Strategy
- Operational improvement levers
- Financial structuring
- Growth initiatives
- Board level oversight
Module 9.
- Risk Assessment in Private Equity
- Capital structure risk
- Business risk
- Market risk
- Exit considerations
Module 10.
- Exit Strategies and Realization
- Secondary sales
- Strategic buyers
- Public markets
- Return capture mechanisms
Module 11.
- Sector and Market Evaluation
- Macro considerations
- Sector trends
- Industry structure
- Opportunity mapping
Module 12.
- Integrated Case Study
- Full transaction evaluation
- Model construction
- Diligence assessment
- Outcome analysis
Assessment
Participants complete structured assignments and written case evaluations. Final assessment includes a comprehensive case study requiring valuation, due diligence review and transaction analysis.
Learning Outcomes
Participants completing the curriculum will be able to:
- Evaluate companies using structured financial and commercial frameworks
- Construct professional buyout models and return analyses
- Assess transaction structure and financing considerations
- Interpret due diligence findings with analytical discipline
- Understand operational and financial value creation drivers
- Evaluate exit pathways and their implications for realized returns