Online Graduate Certificate in Finance
Earn Success in the Business World with an Online Finance Certificate Program
Every business relies on trained finance professionals to be successful. The skills you gain in the accessible, 100% online graduate certificate in Finance will help you stand out from the competition and get qualified for the job you want.
This program is part of Saint Mary’s Accelerators, a carefully crafted series of graduate certificates designed to help you meet your personal and professional goals. By choosing this program, you’ll build advanced, career-ready skills while taking a step closer to completing your graduate education.
You may pursue the online graduate certificate in Finance in a standalone program or continue your studies by applying your certificate credits toward one of the following master’s degrees:
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Why Earn Your Finance Graduate Certificate Online?
Saint Mary’s online graduate certificate in Finance prepares you to make effective financial decisions in a variety of in-demand careers without the requirement of traveling to campus. You’ll receive personalized instruction and explore a challenging curriculum through our convenient online education platform. Access your courses on the go and take the next step in your education with a program designed to fit your schedule.
Program Highlights
- Apply Credits to Select Graduate Programs
- Digital Badging for all Graduate Certificate Courses
- Course Topics Include Financial Markets, Security Analysis, and Portfolio Management
Course List & Requirements
The online graduate certificate in Finance from Saint Mary’s provides specialized knowledge and training in essential finance skill sets, including financial markets, security analysis, and portfolio management. Our faculty are experienced business professionals who bring relevant industry knowledge to the online classroom. Featuring 12 credits earned through four foundational finance courses, this program is offered in a flexible format. You will develop the skill sets employers are looking for and learn to make data-driven financial and investment judgments.
MBA 642 International Financial Management (3 credits)
This course applies and expands financial theory and concepts from managerial finance to the case of the multinational firm. Risks arising from exchange rate movements, political events, and regulatory structures are discussed, and techniques for hedging are developed. Multinational capital budgeting and the management of assets and liabilities are examined.
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:
- Analyze the economic exposure of a firm and develop strategies to hedge the exposure
- Evaluate the political risk of foreign investment
- Apply capital budgeting techniques to proposed foreign investments
- Determine the impact of international financial and trade flows on the firm
MBA 643 Corporate Finance (3 credits)
This course examines the principles of corporate finance and the tools and practices used in financial decision-making. It examines the treasury function of an organization and the decisions made by the treasurer. Topics include long-term financing, capital budgeting decisions, beta, debt-equity options, dividend policy analysis, and IPOs.
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:
- Use tools and techniques of corporate finance
- Support treasurer-level decision-making with financial information
- Demonstrate the ability to make capital budgeting decisions
- Create a dividend policy
- Prepare financial information necessary to take a company public
MBA 644 Financial Markets and Institutions (3 credits)
This course examines the markets and institutions that comprise the financial system. Topics covered include the determination and structure of interest rates, the impact of the Federal Reserve and other central banks on interest rates and economic growth, and the instruments of the debt market. The commercial bank is explored as a special case of a financial institution.
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:
- Evaluate the risk/return characteristics of debt instruments
- Interpret interest rate differentials among debt instruments
- Determine the effects of central bank actions on financial and non-financial firms
- Apply financial management tools to a depository financial institution
MBA 648 Security Analysis and Portfolio Management (3 credits)
This course explores the tools and techniques used to evaluate equity securities and the management of the risk and return of portfolios. The role of portfolio theory in the construction of portfolios and performance measurement is examined. Topics include industry and competitive strategy analysis, alternative valuation methods, investment policy, asset allocation and protection, and ethical issues in security analysis and portfolio management.
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:
- Value equity securities using a variety of methods
- Construct portfolios according to varying risk/return preferences
- Evaluate the performance of a portfolio
- Analyze an industry and evaluate the performance of firms within that industry
Course Catalog
Share Your Success
Saint Mary’s supports your success by providing you with the tools necessary to not only achieve your professional goals but to share them with the world—especially the digital world.
As part of our commitment, Saint Mary’s offers an opportunity for you to be awarded digital badges. Digital badges are a graphic verification representing your achievement after completing a specific online course or program.
Admissions
Ready to apply? Learn about taking the next steps.
General Requirements
- Applicants may apply for admission to master’s degree and graduate certificate programs at any time during the year.
- Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution and maintained an overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.
- Applicants must demonstrate the language proficiency necessary for successful graduate coursework.
Prerequisite Coursework and Experience
No prior experience is necessary beyond an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
GMAT and GRE Exam Scores
GMAT and GRE scores are not required.
Transfer Credits
Transfer credits are not accepted for this program.
English Language Proficiency
Students with transcripts from universities located outside of the United States, unless from a waiver country listed here, are required to take and pass English Proficiency testing.
Saint Mary’s accepts:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 4 (formerly 72)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0
- Duolingo with a minimum score of 105
- International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP) with a minimum score of 4.0
- Pearson Test of English with a score of 51
- EIKEN with a minimum of Pre-1
- Manchester Exam with a minimum score of 360
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following:
1. Completed application form.2. An official transcript(s) issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from the institution posting the applicant’s completed bachelor’s degree and other relevant transcripts documenting program prerequisites and potential transfer credits. (An official transcript is one that is sent to the university by the credit-granting institution.)
Saint Mary’s can order and cover the cost of transcripts from institutions that allow third-party requests for eligible degree-seeking applicants. Contact your enrollment counselor for more information.
Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated on a course by course basis by a university accepted evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Educational Perspectives, One Earth International Credential Evaluators or any approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES.org) and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards.
Application Materials should be directed to the Office of Admission
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
2500 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Or electronically: tcadmission@smumn.edu
Application Deadlines
Fall semester – August 1
Spring semester – December 1
Summer semester term 1 – April 1
Notice of Acceptance
You can expect to be notified about your acceptance approximately two weeks following your application completion date.
Tuition and Fees
A college education is invaluable. You can take it wherever you want to go or as far as you want to go. The cost of quality education should not get in the way of reaching your goals. Here at Saint Mary’s, we are committed to providing an accessible, quality education that is focused on enhancing your personal and professional growth. Explore cost breakdowns for tuition and other fees of the online Finance certificate.
Online Graduate Certificate in Finance Careers & Salary
The online Finance certificate delivers the skill sets you need for success in a variety of finance roles. As a finance expert, you will have the specialized knowledge employers are looking for and be qualified for careers in banking, corporate finance, and financial analysis.
Budget Analyst
$79,9401Financial Manager
$131,7102Personal Financial Advisor
$94,1703Financial Analyst
$81,4104Financial Examiner
$81,4105What You'll Learn
As a graduate of this program, you will be able to:
- Analyze and interpret financial information
- Evaluate equity securities
- Assess the risk and return of investment portfolios
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct capital budgeting
- Assess the risks involved in engaging in foreign investments
Related Programs
Depending on your career path, Saint Mary’s offers a variety of related programs that can help you reach your goals. Choose from the following online programs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this program accredited?
Will my degree say that it is from an online program?
Are there set times when I can start the program?
How long does the program take?
Can I transfer credits from another university and graduate program?
Is there a campus residency requirement, or is the program entirely online?
Will I be required to attend online classes during set times?
Is this a self-paced program?
What are the admissions requirements?
Are there any special technology requirements I need for my coursework?
What type of support is available to me? What if I have a question about homework or need help with a technical issue?
Is financial aid available?
How do I get started?
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Budget Analysts.” April 18, 2022. Retrieved on July 14, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/budget-analysts.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Financial Managers.” April 18, 2022. Retrieved on July 14, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Personal Financial Advisors.” April 18, 2022. Retrieved on July 14, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/personal-financial-advisors.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Financial Analysts.” April 18, 2022. Retrieved on July 14, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Financial Examiners.” April 18, 2022. Retrieved on July 14, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-examiners.htm.
*Completion times may vary