Graduate Certificate in Finance

BUS501

Economic Foundations of Applied Accounting and Finance - 3 Credits

Knowledge of the fundamental concepts of finance, financial accounting and economics, including opportunity cost, the time value of money, and financial analysis. An investigation of financial decision making as it applies to business, government, and not-for-profit organizations. Emphasis is on the application of financial and nonfinancial information to a wide range of management decisions, from product pricing and budgeting to project analysis and performance measurement. Students will learn applications for a variety of decision-making tools (such as break-even analysis, activity-based costing procedures, linear programming, discounted cash flow techniques, and the balanced scorecard. Contemporary managerial techniques will be explored such as target costing and kaizen costing as a means of improving operational efficiency and economies.

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Disclaimer: The above syllabus is a sample only from the course, and is subject to change at the Professor's discretion. Please do NOT purchase books based on this syllabus.

BUS510

Financial Modeling - 3 Credits

This course examines the fundamental principles of financial modeling techniques and introduces practical tools for financial decision-making in both entrepreneurial and innovative business environments. Students will build flexible financial models, which allow in-depth analysis to evaluate options, measure performance, collect data and format data collected with the intent to maximize organizational planning and opportunities. The class sessions will include exercises and implementation of modeling techniques. Assignments will require students to evaluate a business situation and make and support their decision based on their analysis. Because of the hands-on nature of the course, it is assumed that participants have a general knowledge of finance and accounting as well as a basic knowledge of spreadsheets.

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Program, BUS501

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Disclaimer: The above syllabus is a sample only from the course, and is subject to change at the Professor's discretion. Please do NOT purchase books based on this syllabus.

BUS631

Managing Financial Institutions - 3 Credits

With the many recent changes within financial institutions and the related financial environment, a careful understanding of financial institutions is important for the financial professional who works with or within the finance function or deals with financial institutions. This course reviews some basic differences across financial institutions, including differences in regulatory, risk management and general managerial perspectives. The course covers such advanced topics as the use of financial engineering, Sarbanes Oxley requirements, changes in regulatory environment, and the concept of securitization. Focus is on the changes within the finance industry and the leadership/ethics required instituting these changes in any number of financial positions.

Prerequisites: Completion of foundation and Core Courses in MBA program.

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Disclaimer: The above syllabus is a sample only from the course, and is subject to change at the Professor's discretion. Please do NOT purchase books based on this syllabus.

BUS632

Advanced Financial Statement Analysis - 3 Credits

This course is important as it is the foundation for the financial analysis that is applied in a wide variety of settings including managerial decision making, organizational planning, operational measurement, performance improvement, debt security/loan analysis, and equity security analysis. This course shows how accounting information is used for analysis and decision making, especially involving ratios analysis. The course includes topics on the impact of alternative accounting choices for ratio analysis, the use of common size statement, and the financial analysis of special industries.

Prerequisites: Completion of foundation and Core Courses in MBA program.

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Disclaimer: The above syllabus is a sample only from the course, and is subject to change at the Professor's discretion. Please do NOT purchase books based on this syllabus.

BUS633

Investment Management and Analysis - 3 Credits

This course explores advanced investment topics and thus is critical for a complete understanding of the issues within portfolio analysis, investment management and valuation of businesses/financial assets. This course reviews some basic foundations of models and risk and return and debt and equity security analyses. The course also reviews derivative securities and portfolio management approaches. The course assessment is basedupon papers, discussions and a project. The course includes the implementation of portfolio theory as a data-driven best practices process which is applicable in many situations as a performance management tool by leaders in many industries.

Prerequisites: Completion of foundation and Core Courses in MBA program.

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Disclaimer: The above syllabus is a sample only from the course, and is subject to change at the Professor's discretion. Please do NOT purchase books based on this syllabus.

PAD634

Public Finance Policy and Application - 3 Credits

This course provides a complete review of the financial principles and practices used in Criminal Justice, Government and Not-for-Profit organizations with a heavy focus on linking strategic planning, measurement analysis and best practice theory to practice. The course also covers accounting principles and practices for hospitals, colleges and universities, health and welfare agencies, and other similar organizations. A logical framework for understanding and solving the public finance -related problems of governmental and nonprofit organizations is emphasized with an eye toward implementing improved processes focusing on the customer. The course assessment is based upon papers, discussions and a final integrated project.

Prerequisites: Completion of foundation and Core Courses.

Download the syllabus here

Disclaimer: The above syllabus is a sample only from the course, and is subject to change at the Professor's discretion. Please do NOT purchase books based on this syllabus.