Self-Directed Master Course

The essential course for building your wealth with real estate and other alternative investments

From the “Best Overall” Self-Directed IRA Company*, Equity Trust Master Academy’s Real Estate Master Course is a superior online training program for investors looking to build their retirement wealth through alternative investing. Learn topics around real estate rentals, fix-and-flips, private lending, notes, your account options, and more. We’ve seen Equity Trust clients grow their retirement accounts faster than they ever thought possible, and we want to share their secrets with you.

1. 2025/2026 Accounts Overview Module 1 - Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, HSA, CESA
2. 2025/2026 Account Overview Module 2 - Solo 401k Plan, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA
3. Roth Conversion How-to (Post One Big Beautiful Bill)
4. 2025-2026 Accounts/Plans Contribution Limits Chart
5. Solo 401(k) and SEP IRA Comparison
6. Understanding Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): Benefits, Contributions, and Investing Opportunities
1. Introduction Module: 1) Who is a Solo 401k Plan For? 2) Benefits of a Solo 401k Plan 3) Why Equity Solo 401k Plan Services
2. MODULE 1: Understanding Self-Employment/Small Business Income That Supports Contributions
3. MODULE 2: Understanding Contributions
4. MODULE 3: Understanding Rollovers from Other Retirement Accounts
5. MODULE 4: Understanding In-Plan Roth Conversions
6. MODULE 5: Understanding Eligibility and Deadlines
7. MODULE 6: Basics of Controlled Group and Affiliated Service Rules
8. MODULE 7: Case Study of Client Investing in a Real Estate Syndication With a Solo 401k Plan
9. MODULE 8: Understanding Employer Identification Number (EIN) Requirements and Creation
10. MODULE 9: Demo of Equity Solo 401k Plan Setup
11. MODULE 10: Demo of Equity Solo 401k Plan System Features and Tools
12. MODULE 11: Understanding Potential Tax Credits for Adopting the New Solo 401k Plan Setup
1. Inherited IRA Rules and Legacy Planning Considerations Deep Dive
2. Secure Act Changes and Considerations for Inherited IRA Accounts
1. Real Estate Investing: 4 Methods with Case Study Examples
2. Leverage In Your IRA - by Matt Allen of North American Savings Bank
3. Buying Real Estate With Debt Financing - 30min.
4. Analyzing Rental Property Investments IRA vs. Non-IRA
5. Real Estate Buy-Fix-Sell Examples
1. Real Estate Secured Lending and Unsecured Lending - Process, Procedures, Important Information
2. Private Lending Case Studies
3. Presentation Slides
1. Private Equity/Company Investing - Procedures, Process, Important Information
2. Wealthbridge Demo
1. Diversifying Beyond the Stock Market: How to Get Started
2. 3 Types of Real Estate Transactions Using a Self-Directed Account
3. Real Estate Closing and Titling with a Self-Directed Account
4. Rental Property Investing with Your Retirement Account
5. Secrets to Promissory Note Investing in Your Retirement Account
6. Private Entity Investing for Investors of All Experience Levels
7. Equity Trust Client Orientation
8. SECURE Act 2.0 - Important Retirement Account Rule Changes in 2023
1. How to Use Your Equity Trust Account
2. Take 5: Partnering with Disqualified Persons
3. Take 5: Processing Your First Real Estate Purchase
4. Take 5: Real Estate Options with a Self-Directed IRA/401(k)
5. Take 5: Depreciation in an IRA Rental Portfolio
6. Take 5: Private Lending with a Self-Directed IRA/401(k)
7. Take 5: Shared Appreciation Loans
8. Take 5: Joint Ventures with a Self-Directed IRA/401(k)
9. Take 5: Structuring an LLC with your Self-Directed IRA/401(k)
10. Take 5: Roth Conversions with a Self-Directed IRA/401(k)
11. Take 5: How to Pay Expenses with your Self-Directed IRA/401(k)
12. Take 5: 1031 Exchange and Self-Directed IRA
13. Take 5: Collecting Rents and Loan Payments
14. Take 5: Property Insurance for your Self-DIrected IRA
15. Take 5: Updating the Value of your Alternative Assets in your Self-Directed IRA
1. Client Experience: Chuck and Gina Grow Small Self-Directed Roth IRAs
2. Client Experience: Jan, Daughter Brittany, Grow Their Roth IRAs with Real Estate
3. Client Experience: Cynthia and Kevin's Roth IRAs Profit From 14 Properties
1. Self-Directed IRA Rules: The Foundation for Investing Success
2. Self-Directed IRA Rules - Prohibited Transactions Explained
3. Unlock the Full Potential of Your Real Estate Investments with an LLC IRA
4. IRA Owned Properties - FAQ
1. UBIT/UDFI Deep Dive - 50 Min. - Trade or Business Income, Debt Financed RE, Furnished Rentals, Exclusions, C-Corp vs. Passthrough (Blocker Corp)
1. Equity Trust Client Case Studies
2. Note Investing Case Studies
3. Self-Directed Real Estate Market Report: Where and How Equity Trust Clients are Investing in Real Estate
1. Wrap Lending Case Study
1. Crypto Trading Platform Demo
1. Roth IRA Distribution Ordering Rules - AKA Roth IRA Layered Cake
2. Required Minimum Distributions RMD's - Requirements, Options, How-to Calculate, Other Considerations
3. IRS Form 5498 and 1099-R Understanding
1. Master Transaction Handbook
1. Orientation Guide: Real Estate Investors
2. Orientation Guide: Real Estate, Notes and Private Lending Investors
3. Orientation Guide: Private Entity Investors
1. Schedule a 1-on-1 consultation with an IRA Counselor to assist you with:

About this course

$997.00
74 lessons
25 hours of video content

Step-by-Step Processes

Demonstrations, tutorials, and case studies walk investors through the self- directed process from start to finish... plus everything in between.
Multi-Level Modules

From beginner to advanced level self- directed investors, deepen your knowledge no matter where you are in your journey.
Industry-Leading Educator

Equity Trust is recognized as a leading self-directed IRA educator. We’ve optimized our learning resources after interacting with tens, if not hundreds of thousands of investors.

Rules and guidelines
Partnering multiple accounts
Solo 401(k)s eligibility, pros and cons
Roth conversions
Structuring an LLC for an IRA
Real estate options
Private lending and promissory notes
Private placements and private equity
Legacy and estate planning
... and more

“Excellent information by presenter in easy understandable way.”

Maurice S.

“Very informative... especially for a beginner. I appreciated the detailed case studies to further understand the process of property investing through various methods. Thank you”

Lori M.

“I have been an Equity Trust client for many years and it’s great to keep learning about new tools and various strategies to put deals together to build up my IRA funds. Thanks.”

Hannah H.

“Wonderful educational program to learn and a very good information to growth wealth.”

Pramoth A.

Reach your retirement goals by discovering all your options. You have more than you may think.

GET STARTED NOW

John Bowens

Director, Head of Education and Investor Success

John Bowens is one of the most sought-after and respected educators in the self-directed IRA industry, partly due to his unique ability to take a complex issue and break it down into simple-to-understand terms. As Equity Trust's Director, Head of Education and Investor Success, John draws from his over 15 years in the real estate industry and his experience as an active real estate investor. In his travels across the U.S. and virtually, he has trained 60,000+ investors during more than 300 workshops and classes, spreading the message about the power of building tax-free wealth and leaving a lasting legacy by investing in what you know best.

Free Master Transaction Handbook

Access to ideas and key concepts for constructing creative real estate and other alternative asset transactions, plus example documents to share with your legal or financial team.
Free Orientation Guides

Your step-by-step guides to investing with your Equity Trust self-directed account. Everything you need to know to successfully complete your investment.