CEBS

Online Study Groups with Instructor Support

Online CEBS Study Groups are an optional educational tool designed to complement the self-study approach. Offered over a 12-week perio​​d during the spring, summer and fall, Online Study Groups give structure to your study and are facilitated by established and experienced CEBS professionals.

Online Study Groups Include:

  • Instructor notes for each module
  • Brief audio overview of each module
  • Quizzes, interactive games, discussions and activities based on the Benefits in Action cases
  • Two instructor-led live review sessions
  • Printable flash cards for each module to help with mastery of Key Terms
  • Discussion questions on each module, posted weekly
  • Opportunity to ask questions and network with others in the class
  • Group is available 24/7 online, throughout the 12 weeks, giving you the flexibility to study wherever and whenever you need to.

What Does An Online Instructor Do?

Your online instructor has many roles, including:

  • Designing all content and activities in your class to help you retain knowledge and study for your CEBS Exam
  • Facilitating live review sessions
  • Monitoring the discussion forum to provide clarification and guidance to learners
  • Creating discussion questions for each module and Benefits in Action Mini Case to stimulate engagement and learning about employee benefits
  • Sharing their real-world experience about being a benefits professional
  • Answering questions that students submit via the discussion forum, email and private message.

Get to Know the Instructors

U.S. Instructors

GBA 1
Chris Healy, Ph.D., CEBS, PHR, SHRM-CP
Assistant Professor, Management
Dixie State University

GBA 2
Mark Dunlop, CEBS, AEF, AFC, CFP, ChFC, CLU, FLMI, REBC, RHU
Principal
Designed Benefit Incentives

GBA/RPA 3
Elizabeth McBurney, CEBS
Assistant Human Resources Manager/Benefits Manager
Columbia County Board of Commissioners

RPA 1
Elizabeth Allen, CEBS
Employee Benefits Attorney
Allen Benefits Law

RPA 2
Kyle Riddle, CEBS, CFP®
Financial Advisor
Valeo Financial Advisors, LLC

Canadian Instructors

GBA 1
Sheila Phillips, CEBS
Consultant
Group Benefits

GBA 2 and GBA/RPA 3
Patricia Noble, CEBS
Director of Policy, Research and Labour Market Analysis
Department of Post Secondary Education, Training and Labour, New Brunswick

RPA 1
Jeff Billard, CEBS
Senior Pension Solutions Specialist
CAAT Pension Plan

RPA 2
Brian Will, CEBS
Associate Vice President, Group Retirement & Savings Sales
CUMIS

How to Enroll in an Online Study Group

Submit the enrollment form along with the Online Study Group fee.

Online Study Group Schedule | U.S. 

    Summer 2025: May 12-August 1*

    • GBA 1—​​​Directing Benefits Programs Part 1
    • GBA 2—Directing Benefits Programs Part 2
    • GBA/RPA 3—Strategic Benefits Management 
    • RPA 1—Directing Retirement Plans Part 1
    • RPA 2—Directing Retirement Plans Part 2

    Fall 2025: August 25-November 14*

    • GBA 1—​​​Directing Benefits Programs Part 1
    • GBA 2—Directing Benefits Programs Part 2
    • GBA/RPA 3—Strategic Benefits Management 
    • RPA 1—Directing Retirement Plans Part 1
    • RPA 2—Directing Retirement Plans Part 2

    Spring 2026: January 19-April 10*

    • GBA 1—​​​Directing Benefits Programs Part 1
    • GBA 2—Directing Benefits Programs Part 2
    • GBA/RPA 3—Strategic Benefits Management
    • RPA 1—Directing Retirement Plans Part 1

    * Tentative dates

     

    Questions about your next step?
    Give us a call at (800) 449-2327, option 3, ​​or email [email protected].​

    Submit the enrollment form along with the Online Study Group fee.

    Online Study Group Schedule | Canada

      Summer 2025: May 5-July 25*

      • GBA 1—Managing Benefit Plans Part 1
      • GBA 2—Managing Benefit Plans Part 2
      • GBA/RPA 3—Navigating the Plan Environment
      • RPA 1—Managing Retirement Plans Part 1
      • RPA 2—Managing Retirement Plans Part 2

      Fall 2025: August 18-November 7*

      • GBA 1—Managing Benefit Plans Part 1
      • GBA 2—Managing Benefit Plans Part 2
      • GBA/RPA 3—Navigating the Plan Environment
      • RPA 1—Managing Retirement Plans Part 1
      • RPA 2—Managing Retirement Plans Part 2

      Spring 2026: January 12-April 3*

      • GBA 1—Managing Benefit Plans Part 1
      • GBA 2—Managing Benefit Plans Part 2
      • GBA/RPA 3—Navigating the Plan Environment**
      • RPA 1—Managing Retirement Plans Part 1
      • RPA 2—Managing Retirement Plans Part 2

      * Tentative dates

      Questions about your next step?
      Give us a call at (833) 886-3749 ​​or email [email protected].​