Canadian Securities Course (CSC)®

Overview

The Canadian Securities Course (CSC®) provides an educational foundation for those just entering the financial services industry, and is an excellent tool for serious investors. Often considered a prerequisite for employment in the financial services industry, the CSC is a valuable program for those looking for a comprehensive education in Canadian financial services.

Ashton has partnered with the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI®), whose official educational materials prepare students to write the CSC exams (Volume I and II). Established in 1970, the CSI is known for setting the educational standard for financial services.

Students registering for this course must also register with the CSI. In order to receive academic partner benefits, registration must be done at www.csi.ca/psi. Registration with CSI includes the cost of the textbooks and the examinations.

The CSC is sought after by employers in the financial services industry. Visit Workopolis for employment opportunities.

Ashton College is an academic partner with the Canadian Securities Institute. Students registering for this course must also register with the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI). Registration must be done only at www.csi.ca/psi to qualify for academic partner benefits. Registration with CSI includes the cost of the textbooks and the examinations.

The Canadian Securities Course (CSC®) and CSI® are registered trademarks of CSI Global Education (2004)

Prospective Career Outcomes/
Credentials Awarded

Successful completion of the CSC ® prepares you to write the CSC ® exams through the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) and then to apply for licensing as a mutual fund salesperson. It is also the first step towards licensing for trading stocks and bonds and allows you to proceed into a Canadian Investment Manager (CIM) or Financial Management Adviser (FMA) designation.

Some examples of career opportunities include:

Licensed mutual fund representative.
Full-service investment adviser or discount brokerage investment representative.
Bank and trust officer, financial planner, and mutual fund representative.
Portfolio management, as an adviser or as a personal investor.

Format

This course consists of 12 sessions of 3 hours each, totaling 36 hours of instructional time (exams not included). There are no prerequisites.

The CSC ® Certificate is awarded by the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI). The CSI is endorsed by the Investment Dealers Association of Canada and Canada’s stock exchanges.

Program Benefits

It is our goal to provide you with the academic training that you require to pursue and build your professional career and reach your career goals. The Canadian Securities Course® will be completed in only twelve sessions, and will prepare the student with the foundation they need for mutual funds sales, stock and bond trading, and Canadian Investment Manager or Financial Management Adviser designations. This program will also offer students the opportunity to develop relationships with peers that are mutually supportive. Ashton College faculty and staff are committed to helping our students achieve their professional potential by making themselves available to students; from connecting with them in class via interactive lectures and class discussions to having academic advisers available daily to provide student support.

Following the successful completion of this course, CSC ® students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Understand capital markets and the financial services industry.
Define industry standards and the regulations and ethics that govern their abilities.
Analyze financial statements through financial ratios.
Identify key components of the Canadian economy.
Define fixed-income products, equities, investment funds, and derivatives.
Outline the importance of financial planning.
Interpret the portfolio management process.
Apply economic principles and theories.

Success Stories

"As a newly-landed immigrant to Canada, with no Canadian experience to speak of, I had an uphill task breaking into the job market. I had responded to a series of positions online with little or no success, and was gradually getting frustrated. My background before coming to Canada had been in banking and finance, and I had a first degree in accounting, and an MBA. However I observed that several positions that were being advertised required persons with mutual funds qualifications, CSC and so on. I was curious, and this was satisfied when I picked up Business in Vancouver, and read about Ashton College. I went in to find out more. I discovered that Ashton College offered qualifying courses in CSC and several other programs. I was impressed with their level of customer service and professionalism. I enrolled with them and was not disappointed.

One of the things I liked about Ashton College was that the class size was small enough so that we got a lot of personal attention from the facilitator. The materials were up to date and because the facilitators are industry professionals themselves and not teachers, they gave illustrations that tied in and made the classes lively and the notes clear.

Of course, there is a lot of work to do. Studying the notes before each class helped prepare me for the classes and the online CSC tool provided sample tests to keep my studying focused. I passed my exams, both parts in the first sitting, and a lot of credit goes to Ashton College. No sooner than I could write CSC behind my name, it appeared employers were beating their way to my door. Within 6 weeks of qualifying, I was employed.

Today, I have a splendid role with Canada's most respected institution, the Royal Bank of Canada, doing what I love, where I look forward to a great career."

--Chinenye Obiajulu