If you’re interested in learning about the financial sector, you may consider taking a course in one of the fundamentals of finance programs offered at schools across the country. These courses can teach you about different financial instruments and markets and help you learn how to use tools and techniques to enhance your financial planning skills. But before you start taking classes, you should know a few things. So read on to find out more!
Prerequisites for this Course
To participate in the online MBA finance programs, students must have completed at least 45 semester hours of college coursework. This includes at least two courses: Finance 357 or 357H; International Business 376; ECO 2315, ECO 2310, or MATH 1011; QMST 2333; or BUS 1100.
The fundamentals of finance programs aim to give students a broad understanding of business and financial services. The courses cover the fundamentals of the financial industry, including financial analysis, investments, and financial planning. Students are also introduced to the basics of working capital management, valuation, and the time value of money.
Business majors’ prerequisites include a strong mathematics, statistics, and probability background. Students must also obtain the consent of their instructor.
Topic 4 is a course that introduces students to the concepts of quantitative trading strategies. The system requires students to develop a trading strategy and backtest it. They will also learn about a variety of computing frameworks.
Course Content
Whether you’re considering a career in finance or simply interested in understanding the workings of the financial industry, you’ll need to take some fundamentals courses. These courses will introduce you to the fundamental principles of investment, decision-making, risk management, and other financial concepts. In addition, you’ll learn about various forms of financial options, the basics of capital investments, the time value of money, and the cost of capital.
The advanced elective course, Financial Modeling, introduces students to using Microsoft Excel to solve common modeling problems in finance. In addition, you’ll be introduced to portfolio theory, options, and macro recording, and you’ll also build custom subroutines and functions in Visual Basic for Applications.
Several specialized topics will be covered, including mergers, mergers & acquisitions, capital budgeting, and financing. You’ll also be provided with a basic foundation in project finance, which stresses the timely completion of construction projects.
Core Courses
Finance programs offer students various opportunities to gain skills and knowledge to make wise business decisions. Students interested in finance can find employment in multiple industries, such as investment advisory firms, banking, brokerage firms, or nonprofit organizations.
Finance majors are trained to use research-backed decision-making, analyzing financial data to determine the best courses of action for an individual or an organization. In addition, they learn how to communicate with clients and streamline operations in the financial industry.
Students can study a general finance program or a finance track for a more specialized focus. Students can also combine their interests in finance with a minor in accounting.
Graduates can secure positions in the investment industry, financial services, and corporate treasury departments. Additionally, these students are prepared to work in non-financial corporations and several fields, including auditing, real estate, mortgage banking, property management, and more.
Specializations
A finance specialization is a way to focus on a particular area of expertise. This allows you to receive the training you need to enter the workforce and gain the skills you need to succeed. There are several ways to specialize in your finance degree, so you should be able to find a degree program that fits your needs.
If you’re interested in investments, you can pursue a finance specialization. You’ll learn about the methods and tools used to structure and evaluate investments. Depending on your field, you might work as a financial manager, an investment advisor, or a hedge fund manager.
Corporate finance specializations focus on the management of corporate finances. Graduates will learn to reduce costs, maximize profits, and manage accounts. They may also be involved in buying and selling stocks for clients.
International finance specializations will teach you about global economic trends and cultural diversity. These professionals will also understand how travel, shipping, and language standards impact the world’s financial markets.
