

Online Finance Certificate Programs*
Discover firsthand where the finance industry can take you. Heighten your knowledge and set yourself apart in the specialized areas of real estate, corporate finance or investment management.
Each Online Finance Certificate from William & Mary combines the prestige of a “Public Ivy” business education with the agility of a short-term, targeted professional skills-development program. In just four courses that can be completed in eight months, you will learn key tools and skills that can help launch you into leadership roles or provide your point of entry into the Online Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program.
Completing your online finance certificate coursework might be just the start of your finance education. The four courses of the real estate certificate programs comprise the prerequisites and first required course of the Online Master of Science in Finance program. Students who complete an Online Finance Certificate program in good standing are invited to apply to the Online Master of Science in Finance program with no additional application requirements, and all credits from the certificate may be applied toward completion of the MSF.
Explore the Online Finance Certificate Programs
Online Certificate in Real Estate Finance
Develop your expertise on a four-part foundation: financial modeling, analysis and decision-making, global financial strategy, and effective communication of complex financial information and strategies. The four courses of the Real Estate Finance Certificate program center on these skills—each one essential for success in finance. They cover a wide range of real estate topics, from various mortgages to funding complex real estate deals. They’ll prepare you to speak confidently with other professionals in the world of real estate investments, and together, they comprise the core of our Online MS in Finance program.
Curriculum Overview
Financial Statement Analysis and Modeling (4 credits)
Information from financial statements is used in many situations including setting targets for manager's bonus plans, determining loan covenants, setting prices for IPO's, setting prices for mergers or acquisitions, deciding whether to loan a company money, and deciding whether to purchase the stock of a company. When using financial statement information, people routinely make adjustments to net income to estimate what they believe is the true economic income of the firm (e.g., "core earnings" or "economic value-added"). In this class, students will learn how to evaluate the information provided in financial statements and draw your own conclusions about whether it accurately reflects the financial position of the firm.
Principles of Finance (4 credits)
Real Estate Finance (4 credits)
Real Estate Investments (4 credits)
Real Estate Finance Certificate at a Glance
- Complete in 8 months
- 100% online
- No residency or on-campus requirement
- Study with our faculty of industry experts
- Completion in good standing will automatically fulfill admissions requirements for the Online MSF program
- All credits can be applied to Online Master of Science in Finance
- One opportunity to start per year
Online Certificate in Investment Management
With a strong foundation in investment management, you can deepen your expertise and expand your potential for lifelong achievement. Build that foundation in our Investment Management Certificate program. Courses introduce you to proficiencies that are essential in understanding the role of psychology in economic and financial decisions, evaluating various investment products, designing optimal portfolios for clients, assessing performance, and managing portfolio risk. The program focuses on financial modeling, analysis and decision-making, global financial strategy, and effective communication of complex financial information and strategies—skills that are crucial for financial success and the heart of our Online MS in Finance program.
Curriculum Overview
Principles of Finance (4 credits)
Investments (4 credits)
Applied Investment Management (4 credits)
Behavioral Finance (4 credits)
Investment Management Certificate at a Glance
- Complete in 7-8 months
- 100% online
- No residency or on-campus requirement
- One opportunity to start per year
- Study with our faculty of industry experts
- Completion in good standing will automatically fulfill admissions requirements for the Online MSF program
- All credits can be applied to Online Master of Science in Finance
Online Certificate in Corporate Finance
Set yourself up to succeed in a complex business. Starting in the summer term of 2023, the courses in our Corporate Finance Certificate program will deepen your understanding of corporate financial strategy, financial valuation models, the ways in which firms interact with the financial markets, and the valuation of a wide range of corporate investment projects and companies. Additionally, the program will hone your skills in financial modeling, analysis and decision-making, global financial strategy, and effective communication of complex financial information and strategies—opening the door to our Online MS in Finance program and a world of achievement beyond it.
To learn more about this program, reach out to one of our Admissions Outreach Advisors.
Curriculum Overview
Financial Statement Analysis and Modeling (4 credits)
Information from financial statements is used in many situations including setting targets for manager's bonus plans, determining loan covenants, setting prices for IPO's, setting prices for mergers or acquisitions, deciding whether to loan a company money, and deciding whether to purchase the stock of a company. When using financial statement information, people routinely make adjustments to net income to estimate what they believe is the true economic income of the firm (e.g., "core earnings" or "economic value-added"). In this class, students will learn how to evaluate the information provided in financial statements and draw your own conclusions about whether it accurately reflects the financial position of the firm.
Principles of Finance (4 credits)
Corporate Valuation and Credit Analysis (4 credits)
Advanced Corporate Finance (4 credits)
Building on previous courses, this course incorporates richer institutional details and deepens understanding of how firms interact with the financial markets. Topics to be included are: financing investments with capital market imperfections, corporate control, governance and risk management.
Corporate Finance Certificate at a Glance
- Complete in 7-8 months
- 100% online
- No residency or on-campus requirement
- One opportunity to start per year
- Study with our faculty of industry experts
- Completion in good standing will automatically fulfill admissions requirements for the Online MSF program
- All credits can be applied to Online Master of Science in Finance
Application Requirements for the Online Finance Certificate
Each Online Finance Certificate is designed to provide the opportunity for anyone interested in pursuing a finance career, at any professional level, to move into this dynamic field. To promote this level of accessibility, the application requirements for the program are as follows:
- A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a regionally accredited college or university
- Current resume or CV with employment history
- One personal essay
- $100 application fee; waivers are available by request
Have Questions?
We want to ensure you can take advantage of this opportunity to transition into a rewarding new finance career. Feel free to schedule a call with an Admissions Outreach Advisor if you have any questions about the Online Finance Certificates, or about using it to transition into the Online MSF program.
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*Real Estate Finance certificate is pending approval from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)