The graduate certificate in Finance provides essentials for corporate financial managers, as well as, best practices for those in entrepreneurial organizations and start-ups. The depth and richness of the certificate ensures that practitioners gain practical technical skills to performance financial analysis, interpret reporting, and comply with SEC, and align with FASB and GAAP. With technology and data playing an increasingly important role in business management and operations, the certificate also covers decision support systems with the opportunity for students to assess financial data through a range of analytical tools. Students will examine finance for corporate managers, entrepreneurs, commercial bankers, investment bankers, and those working in private equity firms, venture capital firms, as well as corporate venture investments. The certificate delivers a very practitioner based review and analysis of the many funding options for various types of industries and organizations.
Tuition Rate:
$5,620
(including fees)
Monthly Payment Plan:
$375 per month
Applicants interested in pursuing a graduate certificate in Finance must meet the general admission requirements for Graduate Admissions.
For more information refer to the University Catalog.
Refer to the University Catalog for Tuition and Fees.
1-2 semesters / 4-8 months
Graduate Certificate in Finance Total: 12 Credits
This course addresses tools that are used by decision-makers to develop a better understanding of their businesses and customers. Student have the opportunity to assess a broad field of decision support systems, which includes a thorough discussion of SAS Visual Analytics, Business Intelligence (BI) Reports, Data Visualization for Problem Solving and other technologies for multidimensional analysis, basic Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) for BI, and SQL with OLAP extensions.
The objective of this course is to provide an understanding of financial accounting fundamentals for prospective consumers of corporate financial information, such as managers, stockholders, financial analysts, and creditors. An overview of accounting theory provides a foundation for applying financial accounting concepts and principles to
real business issues. This foundation will help students develop the technical skills needed to analyze corporate financial statements and disclosures for use in financial analysis, and to interpret how accounting standards and managerial incentives affect the financial reporting process. Students learn how the FASB creates new GAAP, how to research the FASB Accounting Standards Codification system, and how to prepare and analyze financial statements including the Income Statement, Comprehensive Statement of Income, Balance Sheet, Statement of Shareholder’s Equity, and Statement of Cash Flows in compliance with the SEC, and in conformity with FASB and GAAP.
This course is primarily for those who may be involved in an entrepreneurial venture at some point in their careers, whether in a large organization, a turnaround situation, a management buyout, or a startup. The course addresses key questions which challenge all entrepreneurs: how much money can and should be raised; when should it be raised and from whom; what is a reasonable valuation of the company; and how should funding, employment contracts and exit decisions be structured. It aims to prepare students for these decisions, both as entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. In addition, the course includes an in-depth analysis of the structure of the private equity industry.
Entrepreneurs often cite finance as being the most essential skill they lack. This course is not only applicable to entrepreneurs, but also to anyone considering a career in commercial banks, investment banks, private equity firms, venture capital firms, as well as corporate venture investments. Access to funding (such as borrowing from banks, issuing bonds, or issuing liquid equities) for larger or publicly-traded companies is not accessible to smaller and newer companies. This course provides students with the understanding of various aspects and processes in financial planning and financial management of new ventures or younger companies, as well as investment analysis and considerations for investors providing funding to such companies.