Private Equity Certificate

About the Certificate

Build the skill set used at top private equity firms. This program blends Wharton's academic rigor with Wall Street Prep's hands-on modeling to help you evaluate industries and companies, underwrite investments, structure and finance deals, and analyze value creation like an institutional investor — whether you're advancing in private markets, transitioning from banking/consulting, or aiming to invest your own capital.

Learning Experience & Support

• Self-paced lectures paired with real-world case studies and LBO modeling exercises.
• Weekly office hours with faculty and program staff for guidance and Q&A.
• Guest speakers from leading PE firms share current market insights.
• Elective content lets you tailor the learning path to your goals.
• Certificate from Wharton Online upon successful completion (digital credential for LinkedIn & resume).

Who Should Enroll?

• Private Markets & PE professionals (early–mid career)
• Investment banking analysts & associates
• Independent sponsors & search fund operators
• Family offices evaluating/directing PE allocations
• Consultants, accountants, and legal advisors
• Private lenders & credit professionals
• Career switchers targeting private markets roles
• Students & recent grads pursuing PE internships

Curriculum Overview (8 Weeks)

Module 1 — Introduction to the Private Equity Asset Class

• PE history, fund structures (GP/LP), and roles in the alternatives ecosystem
• Firm types, strategies, and creating value in private markets

Module 2 — PE Investment Frameworks & Value Creation

• Core return metrics and hurdle rates; sources of value creation
• Valuation methods in a PE context (DCF, comps, multiples)

Module 3 — The Private Equity Deal Process

• Sourcing, screening, and commercial/financial due diligence
• Key documents (NDAs, CIMs, LOIs, PSAs) and negotiation focus areas

Module 4 — Deal Structure, Leverage & Tax Considerations

• Stock vs. asset deals, purchase price allocation, and tax elections
• Debt packages, covenants, EBITDA/working capital and QoE considerations

Module 5 — Private Company Analysis, Valuation & Modeling I

• Private vs. public analysis; defining EBITDA & building base projections
• Applying valuation frameworks to middle-market case studies

Module 6 — LBO Modeling II: Returns, Sensitivities & Debt Schedules

• Transaction assumptions, integrated operating & LBO model build
• IRR/MOIC, sensitivities, and investment decision analysis

Module 7 — Thinking Like a PE Investor I

• Market sizing (TAM/SAM/SOM), competitive dynamics & barriers to entry
• Working with data rooms; identifying key value drivers

Module 8 — Thinking Like a PE Investor II

• Operating leverage & unit economics; add-on acquisitions
• Recurring revenue models; capstone case interview & final model

What You'll Walk Away With

• Institutional PE toolkit: deal evaluation, underwriting & execution
• Hands-on LBO modeling experience used by leading firms
• Strategic judgment for market, competitive & operating analysis
• A Wharton Online digital certificate to showcase your skills