Finance Certificate
It is all about the money! A Finance Certificate will empower you to ask and answer questions like, "Will this project add value to my corporation?" You will get an overview of money markets and the global financial environment, enabling you to make corporate decisions strategically. You will delve deeper into investments and learn the inner workings of futures and options. To top it off, you will take a capstone course that brings all of the Finance Certificate courses together. This is a popular certificate because students see the value it will add to their careers.
Class Formats:- Alternating weekend classes on the main campus
- Online
Full-time professionals are available to discuss the finance certificate curriculum with you in greater detail. Simply call 800.672.7223 Ext. 25168 or contact our Enrollment Services Staff.
Required Courses
Total credits: 16| FIN 5530 | Money Market and Monetary Institutions |
| FIN 5535 | Futures and Options |
| FIN 5560 | Advanced Financial Policy |
| FIN 5620 | Investment Principles and Policies |
| FIN 5502 | Finance Capstone |
Course Descriptions
FIN 5530 Money Market and Monetary Institutions (3 cr.)
This course examines the structure and functions of modern US and international financial markets and institutions. The course covers the nature of the global financial system, interest rate determination, pricing of interest-rate dependent securities, money market instruments, the goals and roles of central banks, and commercial banking. Students will develop a thorough understanding of modern financial institutions and will learn to apply modern financial theory to practical problems in liability pricing and management. Prerequisites: FIN 5080, and FIN 5805
FIN 5535 Futures and Options (3 cr.)
This course examines the structure and functions of the futures and options markets. The course covers the structure of options and futures markets with an emphasis on American markets such as the CME and CBOE. Additional topics include arbitrage restrictions, option pricing, hedging with futures, options on futures, exotics, trading strategies, and an introduction to corporate securities as options on the underlying cash flows. Prerequisite: FIN 5620
FIN 5560 Advanced Financial Policy (3 cr.)
The course covers basic financial policies as applied to real management problems and includes the areas of liquidity, capital management, funding requirements, valuation, mergers and acquisitions, and funding of new ventures. Prerequisite: FIN 5080 or FIN 5805
FIN 5620 Investment Principles and Policies (3 cr.)
This course will deal with a thorough analysis of the theory and application of investments in relation to business cycles, institutional behavior and risk and return opportunities in the economics setting. The course is presented from the investor's viewpoint and incorporates applied and empirical methodologies. The course covers investment strategies and policies. Prerequisite: FIN 5080 or FIN 5815 or FIN 5805
FIN 5502 Finance Capstone (4 cr.)
The finance capstone course uses case studies to integrate coursework, knowledge, skills and experiential learning to enable the student to demonstrate a broad mastery of financial policies as applied to real management problems within today’s multinational enterprises. It covers a broad range of topics from corporate financial management and financial institutions to investments and international finance. Additionally, the course examines international parity conditions, arbitrage, interest rate and currency derivative products, financial and operating hedges, and capital budgeting in international environment.Prerequisites: FIN 5530, FIN 5535, FIN 5560, and FIN 5620. Student must be in good academic standing to register for this class.
Foundation Courses
Because Master's level study extends knowledge and skills acquired in both the classroom and workplace, the successful completion of the following foundation courses are required in order to enroll in this certificate program. Satisfactory completion of foundation courses requires a "C" grade or better in each.
ECN 5050 Economic Thinking (3 cr.)
Economic Thinking is a methodology that focuses on the role of incentives in the marketplace. The course reviews the components of markets, how markets function, factors that influence consumer and producer behavior, market structures, market power and the appropriate role of government in the marketplace. The second part of the course focuses on the measures of economic activity used to assess the impact of inflation, unemployment, economic growth, and exchange rates on the national and local economy. Prerequisites GMPF 5003 Or ECNP 5003 or ECON 2020 or ECN 2020.
FINP 5008 Business Finance (3 cr.)
A survey of the essentials of finance and its environment. Financial management as it applies to organizations, ratio analysis, leverage, working capital management, capital budgeting, capital structure, and other concepts as they apply to business organizations. Course satisfies program prerequisite of finance for master's degree programs.
FIN 5080 Applying Managerial Finance (3 cr.)
Students will learn the basic concepts and analytical techniques needed to understand, identify, and solve financial decision-making problems. Topics covered in this course include time value of money, financial statement analysis, risk and return, corporate valuation, capital budgeting, and using Excel for financial analysis. Prerequisites: ECN 5050 and QNT 5040
One of the following two courses:
QNT 5040 Business Modeling (3 cr.)
This course covers the techniques of problem solving, optimization and business modeling using the concepts of statistics and management science in a spreadsheet environment. The course focuses on that practical application of quantitative analytical techniques. Prerequisites: FINP 5008 and QNTP 5002 or equivalents.
FIN 5805 Financial Decisions for International Managers (3 cr.)
Financial Decisions for International Managers examines basic accounting concepts and corporate financial statement components, and develops students financial decision-making abilities. The course is developed as a preliminary requirement for more advanced work in the courses, International Accounting and International Finance. Financial statement analysis is considered to consist of the application of analytical tools and techniques to financial statements and data in order to derive measurements and relationships that are significant and useful for decision-making. This analysis can be used for objectives such as screening for the selection of investments or merger candidates. It can also be used as a forecasting tool for future financial conditions and results; a process of diagnosis for managerial, operating, or other problem areas; and a tool for the evaluation of management. Overall, the course places a strong emphasis on improving managerial decision-making. Prerequisites: ACTP 5001 and FINP 5008 or equivalents.
