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Are you interested in pursuing a career in the field of mergers and acquisitions? Or maybe your company is amid a merger or acquisition, and you’re seeking ways to make the transition as smooth as possible while understanding how the process works?
In either of these scenarios, you can gain invaluable knowledge by taking a mergers and acquisitions training course.
A Quick Look: Mergers and Acquisitions Training
Here’s a sneak peek at Benzinga’s top picks:
- Mergers & Acquisitions: Concepts and Theories by edX
- Mergers & Acquisitions by LinkedIn Learning
- Mergers and Acquisitions - From the Trenches by Udemy
- Practical Skills in Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) by Udemy
- Mergers & Acquisitions Concepts and Theories: Advanced Topics by edX
- M&A Theory and Process: A Complete Guide by Udemy
- Mergers and Acquisitions - The Relentless Pursuit of Synergy by the American Institute of Business and Economics and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
- Mergers & Acquisitions: Structuring the Deal by edX
- Creating a Culture of Change by LinkedIn Learning
What Makes a Mergers and Acquisitions Training Great?
The best mergers and acquisitions courses meet the following criteria:
Meets your goals
Are there specific topics you want to learn more about? Take a look at the course syllabus to ensure they’re covered before signing up.
Reputable instructor
Does the instructor have experience in the field? Do they facilitate courses in a way that’s engaging and easy to follow? Read reviews to gain more insight about their track record and teaching style.
Affordable
With so many course options to choose from, you will find offerings at varying price points. But only consider those that are affordable when starting out to gauge your interest in mergers and acquisitions.
Our Top Picks
With so many mergers and acquisitions training courses to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. We scoured the web to present the top courses on the internet. The classes are from some of the top online learning platforms, including Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning and Udemy.
Below, you will find our top picks by category: beginners, intermediate and advanced students.
Mergers and Acquisitions Training for Beginners
If you don’t have any experience with mergers and acquisitions, these courses are a great place to start.
1. Mergers & Acquisitions: Concepts and Theories by the New York Institute of Finance (edX)
- Who it's for: Beginners
- Price: $50
This 4-week course is a part of the Mergers & Acquisitions Certificate Program from the New York Institute of Finance.
Professor Jeff Hooke offers a behind-the-scenes look into the intricate world of mergers and acquisitions, and common motivators behind this strategic business move. You will also discover why many mergers and acquisitions fail.
The course includes 4 sessions:
- Overview and Buyer Strategies
- Finding a Deal
- Pricing the Deal
- Special Valuation Cases
Enrollment is $50, and you should expect to spend 1 to 2 hours each week on coursework. There are no prerequisites for this course.
2. Mergers & Acquisitions by LinkedIn Learning (Formerly Lynda.com)
- Who it's for: Beginners
- Price: Included in the $29.99 monthly membership
Mergers & Acquisitions is a 1-hour beginner-level course from LinkedIn Learning. You will discover how mergers and acquisitions work, from start to finish, so you can be equipped with the right knowledge to execute your own deal.
Instructor Mike Figliuolo, Founder and Managing Director of thoughtLEADERS, LLC, shares critical insights on how to handle each stage of the merger and acquisition process. This includes best practices on approaching the target company, conducting fundamental research, negotiating and finalizing the deal.
The course includes 8 chapter quizzes to assess your comprehension of the material and identify areas where you need more study time. And it also qualifies for a Certificate of Completion and CPE Credits through the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy if you score a 70 percent or higher on the final exam.
Enrollment is free with a $29.99 monthly LinkedIn membership. But if you’re not yet registered, you can grab a seat to the course for free with a 1-month trial.
3. Mergers and Acquisitions - From the Trenches by Udemy
- Who it's for: Beginners
- Price: $199.99
If you want to gain a better understanding of the merger and acquisition process, consider this entry-level course from Udemy. Regardless of which side of the equation you’re on, you will learn how to position yourself for success.
It’s ideal for entrepreneurs searching for the most effective way to prepare their entity for acquisition. Investors also benefit as they’ll learn how to perform the necessary research to structure lucrative deals, in addition to best practices for integrating newly acquired companies. And if you’re an employee, you will learn about different ways the acquisition process can impact you and how to adjust.
Instructor Vince Corning is a serial entrepreneur. He’s played an instrumental role in 7 successful mergers and acquisitions and has several years of experience evaluating companies for purchase during his time at Compaq Computers and Intel Corporation.
Intermediate Mergers and Acquisitions Training
For those who have some experience with mergers and acquisitions, these courses may be useful:
4. Practical Skills in Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) by Udemy
- Who it's for: Intermediate students
- Price: $49.99
Offered by AltaClaro Learning, a provider of innovative learning solutions for business and law, this intermediate-level course takes a closer look at legal concepts in mergers and acquisitions law.
The class begins with a refresher lesson, followed by in-depth discussions on the deal process and deal structures as they relate to asset purchase agreements, stock purchase agreements and mergers. And the course wraps up with a bonus lesson on where to find free resources and advanced learning options.
You can grab a seat to this in-depth course for only $49.99. The enrollment fee includes full lifetime access to 1 hour of on-demand video, 2 articles and 13 downloadable resources.
Have basic knowledge of business concepts and mergers and acquisitions before enrolling.
5. Mergers & Acquisitions Concepts and Theories: Advanced Topics by the New York Institute of Finance
- Who it's for: Intermediate students
- Price: $100
Seeking a career in mergers and acquisitions? This 4-week course from the New York Institute of Finance is a great way to enhance your knowledge of more advanced mergers and acquisitions concepts.
Mergers & Acquisitions Concepts and Theories: Advanced Topics is comprised of 4 sessions:
- M&A Financial Accounting and Projections
- Financing the Deal
- Seller’s Viewpoint
- Other Areas of Interest
Each session is delivered by video, and the first and third sessions include case studies to help you apply the knowledge learned in the lessons.
The course is led by Jeff Hooke, Instructor at NYIF, and is a part of the institutions Mergers & Acquisitions Professional Certificate program.
Enrollment is $100.
6. M&A Theory and Process: A Complete Guide by Udemy
- Who it's for: Intermediate students
- Price: $49.99
Just $49.99 gets you a seat to this bestselling course on mergers and acquisitions from Udemy. Not only will you learn the mechanics, but you’ll be prepared to engage in discussions with other professionals regarding mergers and acquisitions with confidence.
M&A Theory and Process: A Complete Guide includes 24 lectures condensed in 2.5 hours of on-demand video, a 17-question quiz and 1 downloadable resource to supplement your learning.
It is ideal for undergraduate and master’s students looking to pursue a career in investment banking or mergers and acquisitions advisory. Corporate executives, entrepreneurs and other business owners will also benefit from this course.
The class is taught by Ali Ilci, a former investment banker and professional. He also holds a master’s degree from Oxford and has experience with mergers and acquisitions deals in 8 countries.
Advanced Mergers and Acquisitions Training
Looking to explore more advanced concepts or pursue a career in the mergers and acquisitions field? These courses will help you acquire the skills and knowledge you need:
7. Mergers and Acquisitions – The Relentless Pursuit of Synergy by the American Institute of Business and Economics and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
- Who it's for: Advanced students
- Price: Free
Mergers and Acquisitions – The Relentless Pursuit of Synergy pulls back the curtain on mergers and acquisitions strategies and addresses why they are so valuable. It is the fourth course in the Understanding Modern Finance Specialization from the American Institute of Business and Economics and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.
The course includes 5 lessons, and material is delivered through video and readings. And at the end of each lesson, you will be prompted to complete 2 quizzes before moving on to the next section.
Enrollment is free and the estimated time to complete the course is 25 hours.
8. Mergers & Acquisitions: Structuring the Deal by the New York Institute of Finance
- Who it's for: Advanced students
- Price: $200
Another stellar offering from the New York Institute of Finance, this advanced course covers the structure of mergers and acquisitions deals, documentation requirements and tax implications. You will learn about the 3 legal structures of mergers and acquisitions.
The class is also a part of the Mergers & Acquisitions Professional Certificate program from the New York Institute of Finance. It includes 9 in-depth lessons and 2 case studies on several advanced topics in mergers and acquisitions, including documents, legal structures, triangular mergers, tax considerations and accounting.
The fee to enroll is $200, and you should finish the course in 4 weeks.
9. Creating a Culture of Change by LinkedIn Learning (Formerly Lynda.com)
- Who it's for: Advanced students
- Price: Included in the $29.99 monthly membership
Is your organization on the brink of a merger, acquisition or reorganization? If you’re seeking insight on how to make the transition smoother for your employees, consider this advanced course from LinkedIn Learning.
Led by Jerry Pico, a senior director of HR Development, this course will show you how to foster a workplace culture that embraces change when dealing with mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations. He also demonstrates best practices when dealing with turbulent times and resistance through real-life examples.
When you enroll, you’ll have instant access to 4 video lessons, 4 chapter quizzes and 1 project file. This course also qualifies for CPE credit through the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy and PDUs or Contact Hours under the Project Management Institute.
There’s no fee to enroll if you have a $29.99 monthly LinkedIn Learning membership. But if you’re not yet a member, you can register for a 1-month trial and get a seat to the course for free.
Choosing the Best Mergers and Acquisitions Training Course for You
A career in mergers and acquisitions can be rewarding and lucrative. Even if you just want to expand your knowledge as a student, the mergers and acquisitions training courses featured here are worth a shot. Sign up for a mergers and acquisitions training course today!
Southern New Hampshire University Online
SNHU Online Offers:
- Flexible schedules
- Affordable tuition
- Online tutoring
- Access to electronic research materials
- Specialized academic advising
- Supportive online community