Solve practical problems in finance for companies of all sizes.
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Finance is one of the most heavily regulated industries. Major events like the global financial crisis highlighted the need for better regulation, putting qualified Finance experts in high demand.  

Finance is more than managing money. The Applied Finance certificate is designed to give students the skills and knowledge they need to work in a variety of finance-related roles. With a more hands-on approach, Applied Finance emphasizes real-world application – using financial principles and techniques to turn insights into performance and positive outcomes.  

With a Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance, you can bring value to any company with a deep understanding of financial analysis, investment strategies and financial modeling. This 11-credit certificate allows you to dive deeper into investments by taking electives that cover bonds, futures, options and real estate. If you're interested in corporate financial management, you can focus your studies on employee benefits, international finance and more. 

Interested in earning your Master of Business Administration degree? At CSU's College of Business, you can start with a certificate and finish with an MBA. The credits earned in this certificate can be applied toward the College's Online MBA, Mosaic MBA or Evening MBA programs, but please note that completion of this certificate does not guarantee admission into an MBA.  

What you'll learn

In a graduate certificate program of applied finance, students can expect to learn:

  • Develop proficiency in analyzing financial statements, ratios, and performance metrics to evaluate the financial health of organizations and make informed investment decisions.
  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of risk assessment and mitigation strategies, including the management of market, credit, and operational risks.
  • Explore various investment strategies, asset allocation techniques, and portfolio management principles to optimize returns while managing risk.
  • Learn to build and utilize financial models to forecast future financial performance, conduct scenario analysis, and support strategic decision-making.
  • Understand the regulatory framework governing financial markets and institutions, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations in the finance industry.
Certificate at a Glance
Delivery: Online
Length: Can be completed in 2-3 semesters
Tuition: $998 per credit for 2024-2025
Credits: 11
Certificate awarded:

Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance

Courses and curriculum:

Download your course roadmap

‡Additional prerequisite coursework may be required.

 

Admissions, Deadlines and Financial Aid

Learn more about admissions requirements to enroll in our spring or fall sessions. Visit tuition and aid for information on the latest tuition benefits available to you.

  • Fall
    AdmissionApply by July 31
  • Spring
    AdmissionApply by Jan 1