Best Options Trading Courses Online & Certification (April 2024)

Options trading is a financial strategy that allows investors to speculate on the price movements of various assets, such as stocks, commodities, or indices. It involves the use of financial instruments known as options, which provide traders with the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a predetermined price within a specified time frame. 

This article delves into a selection of best Options trading courses, designed to offer a methodical and thorough understanding of the complexities within options markets. These educational programs are tailored to serve individuals across the spectrum of expertise, from beginners to seasoned traders, providing an extensive array of knowledge and strategic insights.

Importance of Options Trading 

Options trading holds significant importance in the world of finance and investment. According to data from the Options Industry Council, options trading volume in the United States reached a record high of over 714.7 million contracts in 2022. These statistics underline its popularity among investors. Options provide a means to hedge against market volatility and enhance yield, making them a valuable tool for both institutional and retail traders.

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Best Options Trading Courses, Certification, Tutorials, Training, Classes Online

Options Strategy (Online) [Columbia Business School]

Explore the world of options trading with this online options trading course. Throughout the course, participants will develop a comprehensive options vocabulary, unlock advanced trading strategies, and gain the ability to strategically incorporate options into investment portfolios. From understanding the fundamentals of options to advanced topics like options valuation and real-world applications.

Course Instructor

This options trading class is led by Michael Johannes, the Ann F. Kaplan Professor of Finance at Columbia Business School, who brings extensive expertise and research in finance to guide participants through the intricacies of options trading.

Pros & Cons

Key Highlights & Learning Objectives

• The course bridges theory and practice by exploring real-world options valuation and applications, offering valuable insights for effective trading.
  
  
• Benefit from live office hours, peer learning, real-world option valuation exercises, weekly assignments, and a dedicated support team to maximize your learning experience.
  
  
• Explore how options can serve as effective tools for risk mitigation, allowing you to safeguard your investments during market fluctuations.
  
  
• Engage in peer learning and feedback sessions, fostering a collaborative environment for knowledge sharing and networking.
  
  
• Enjoy a dynamic learning experience with knowledge checks, discussion forums, and weekly assignments that reinforce your understanding of options trading concepts.
  
  
• This course comprises a wealth of resources, including video lectures, articles, interactive learning materials, and practical exercises spread across six modules. Participants will receive a valuable certificate upon completion.

Who is it for?

This options trading course online is tailored for mid-to senior-level institutional investors, financial professionals, and individual investors seeking to deepen their understanding of options. It caters to a diverse audience, offering comprehensive knowledge from basics to advanced concepts in options trading.

Options Trading Basics (3-Course Bundle) [Udemy]

This comprehensive three-course options trading training is your gateway to understanding the intricate world of options trading. It covers everything from the fundamentals of call and put options to advanced strategies, including time decay, implied volatility, and the essential option Greeks.

Course Instructor

Hari Swaminathan, the author of this comprehensive options trading class, is a seasoned options mentor and financial markets educator with extensive experience in engineering and business.

Pros & Cons

Key Highlights & Learning Objectives

• Employs real-world examples and live trade demonstrations to simplify intricate concepts, making it easier for students to grasp and apply their knowledge effectively.
  
  
• The course emphasizes risk management and adjustment strategies, helping traders protect their investments and optimize their trading positions.
  
  
• Options trading provides traders with the ability to leverage their investments, potentially amplifying profits, and offers a wide range of strategies suitable for various market conditions. 
  
  
• The bundle is organized into well-structured sections, each building upon the previous one. This logical progression helps learners develop a solid foundation before delving into more complex strategies.
  
  
• Beyond theory, the courses include live trade demonstrations using the Thinkorswim platform, giving students hands-on experience in real trading scenarios.
  
  
• Students gain insights into market structures, order types, and market maker roles, enhancing their understanding of how options fit into the broader financial ecosystem.
  
  
• This course bundle comprises a total of 47 video lectures, 7 downloadable resources, and a Certificate upon successful completion of the courses.

Who is it for?

This online options trading course is suitable for both beginners seeking a solid introduction to options trading and intermediate traders looking to advance their skills. It offers comprehensive content covering fundamental concepts to advanced strategies, making it valuable for those seeking to diversify portfolios, manage risk, or enhance their financial knowledge and decision-making abilities.

Options Trading MasterClass: Options With Technical Analysis [Udemy]

Unlock the potential for substantial profits with minimal investment through the art of Options Trading. This comprehensive online options trading course is your gateway to understanding the fundamentals of Options, the advantages they offer, and the mathematics behind various trading strategies.

Course Instructor

The online options trading class is led by Jyoti Bansal, a highly qualified and experienced NCFM and NISM certified technical analyst and investment adviser, with over nine years of trading expertise and a strong background working with renowned financial institutions.

Pros & Cons

Key Highlights & Learning Objectives

• Discover how to create your own options trading strategies tailored to your risk profile and market analysis.
  
  
• The course includes real-life examples, practice tests, assignments, and supplementary articles to reinforce your learning.
  
  
• Learn how to create options spreads and discover the optimal times to execute them for maximizing profits and minimizing risks.
  
  
• Whether you’re in an uptrend, downtrend, or a sideways market, this course equips you with strategies to profit in any market condition.
  
  
• As the course is updated regularly, you’ll stay current with the latest trends and strategies in options trading.
  
  
• Understand how options can be used to limit downside losses and protect your investments, making you a more prudent trader.
  
  
• This course consists of 131 lectures along with 5 articles and 1 downloadable resource and a certificate of completion.

Who is it for?

This online options trading course is well-suited for both beginners and experienced traders looking to master options trading with technical analysis. Whether you’re aiming to grasp the fundamentals, refine existing strategies, or create customized approaches, this MasterClass provides the knowledge and tools needed.

Options Trading for Rookies: Understand Options Completely [Udemy]

Unlock the world of options trading with the Udemy options trading course. In this comprehensive course, you’ll dive deep into the fundamentals of options trading, demystifying the concepts behind calls, puts, strike prices, and much more. Learn the distinctions between calls and puts, buying versus selling options, and discover how to execute trades confidently.

Course Instructor

The options trading training is instructed by Kal Zurn, a seasoned options trader and it’s co-instructed by SharperTrades LLC, a renowned online trading education provider with over 100,000 students worldwide, offering practical and profitable trading skills.

Pros & Cons

Key Highlights & Learning Objectives

• Learn how to trade options effectively and profitably, with real-world examples and visual illustrations.
  
  
• Debunks common myths about trading, emphasizing that it doesn’t have to be overly complicated or time-consuming.
  
  
• Explore risk versus reward in options trading and discover essential rules for managing your trades.
  
  
• Focuses on strategy rather than fundamental or technical analysis, making it accessible to a wide range of learners.
  
  
• This course comprises 66 lectures delivered through video lessons, along with one accompanying article, seven downloadable resources, and a Certificate of Completion.

Who is it for?

This online options trading course is best suited for beginners looking to establish a strong foundation in options trading, as well as intermediate traders seeking a structured learning approach. Whether you’re entirely new to options or want to refresh your knowledge, this course offers practical insights and accessible content for a diverse range of learners.

IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate [Coursera]

This comprehensive online options trading course is your ultimate guide to mastering the world of stock options. It delves into essential concepts like calls and puts, buying vs. selling options, and various strategies including covered calls, verticals, iron condors, and naked options.

Course Instructor

The online options trading class is instructed by Kal Zurn, a seasoned options trader and the founder of “Option Trading for Rookies,” alongside the team at SharperTrades LLC, a renowned online trading education provider with a wealth of experience and a mission to teach practical and profitable trading skills to a global audience.

Pros & Cons

Key Highlights & Learning Objectives

• The course focuses on providing you with a clear roadmap to trade options efficiently, effectively, and profitably, helping you achieve your financial goals.
  
  
• It covers a wide range of option trading strategies, including covered calls, verticals, iron condors, and naked options, allowing you to diversify your trading portfolio.
  
  
• Learn how to manage risk effectively while increasing your profitability, with a focus on understanding and mitigating the potential downsides of various options strategies.
  
  
• This course includes 74 video lectures, 1 article, 6 downloadable resources, and a certificate of completion upon finishing the program.

Who is it for?

This options trading online course is best suited for individuals at all levels of trading experience who aspire to master options trading. Beginners can benefit from its comprehensive content to build a strong foundation, while intermediate and advanced traders can further refine their skills. 

Investment and Portfolio Management Specialization [Coursera]

The Investment and Portfolio Management Specialization is an Options certification program designed to equip learners with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in the world of investment management. This series covers a wide range of topics, from understanding global financial markets and various investment instruments to optimizing portfolio construction, managing risk effectively, and even addressing behavioral biases in decision-making.

Course Instructor

The specialization is instructed by Arzu Ozoguz and Jill Foote, both esteemed faculty members at Rice University, bringing their expertise in finance and investment to deliver real-world insights and analytical tools to over 128,000 learners.

What you’ll learn

Here’s a brief paragraph on each of the courses within this specialization by Rice University:

1. Global Financial Markets and Instruments: This course serves as a comprehensive introduction to the world of financial markets and investment instruments.
   
   
2. Portfolio Selection and Risk Management: In this course, participants delve into the art of constructing optimal portfolios while effectively managing risks.
   
   
3. Biases and Portfolio Selection: Investors often grapple with behavioral biases that can hinder decision-making.
   
   
4. Investment Strategies and Portfolio Analysis: This course hones in on contemporary investment strategies and performance evaluation.
   
   
5. Capstone: Build a Winning Investment Portfolio: The capstone project allows learners to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the specialization.

Pros & Cons

Key Highlights & Learning Objectives

• The specialization includes coverage of options trading, providing valuable insights into this specific aspect of the financial markets.
  
  
• The capstone project allows you to apply your knowledge by managing a simulated investment portfolio and advising on investment strategies, mirroring real-world scenarios.
  
  
• The curriculum also addresses behavioral biases in financial decision-making, a critical aspect for investors to understand and overcome.
  
  
• Develop strong quantitative skills, including risk assessment and portfolio optimization, which are vital for effective investment decision-making.
  
  
• Utilize advanced analytical tools such as portfolio mean variance optimization and Fama-French factor models, enhancing your ability to make informed investment decisions.
  
  
• This course consists of five courses, with each course typically including multiple video lectures, quizzes, assignments, and additional resources along with a certificate of completion.

Who is it for?

The online options trading course is well-suited for both beginners, options trading, and finance professionals seeking to learn and refine their skills and stay current with industry trends. This flexible program accommodates diverse schedules and is ideal for self-motivated individuals aiming to excel in finance.

Bullish Bear Options Trading Course [bullishbears]

Discover the world of options trading through this comprehensive options trading training. Designed for aspiring traders, this course covers essential topics including bid-ask spreads, the Greeks, probability analysis, and various trading strategies like vertical spreads and credit spreads.

Course Instructor

The authors of this options trading class are experienced professionals in the field, with a proven track record in trading and a dedication to educating aspiring traders.

Pros & Cons

Key Highlights & Learning Objectives

• Beyond theory, the course equips students with practical skills that can be applied directly in real-world trading situations.
  
  
• As a member, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with fellow traders, exchange insights, and build a network within the trading community.
  
  
• The course is committed to continuous improvement, ensuring that students have access to the latest trading strategies and market insights.
  
  
• Access to daily live streams provides a unique opportunity to observe market analysis and trading strategies in action, enhancing your trading knowledge.
  
  
• The course emphasizes the risks associated with options trading, ensuring that participants are well-prepared to manage and mitigate potential losses.
  
  
• This comprehensive options trading course comprises over 50 instructional videos, numerous written articles and resources, and provides a certificate of completion upon successfully finishing the program.

Who is it for?

This online options trading course is ideally suited for individuals keen on mastering the fundamentals of options trading, from beginners to those with some experience. It’s particularly valuable for those who value a supportive community, continual updates, and practical insights. Commitment to learning and risk awareness are essential prerequisites for potential students.

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