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 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. 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.

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)

Finance focuses on how people and businesses evaluate investment opportunities and raise capital to fund them. This course will provide you with an understanding of the financial principles that guide decision-making and equip you with the basic tools necessary for analyzing and interpreting financial data. The goal is to learn how to price securities in modern financial markets and to develop insights into the methods by which financial managers can create value for their shareholders.

Investments (4 credits)

The course introduces the theory and practice of portfolio management and investments in various asset classes. Emphasis is placed on wealth/asset management and hands-on development and use of financial software tools. Topics include financial markets and intermediaries, measuring risk and return, asset allocation, portfolio optimization and wealth management. Students will emerge from this course with a thorough understanding of modern techniques in asset management and the ability to apply these techniques in practice.

Applied Investment Management (4 credits)

This course introduces students to the theoretical foundation and practical skills that are essential to managing investment portfolios. Students will also learn up-to-date knowledge on financial markets and the asset management industry. We begin with bond pricing and bond portfolio management. We then discuss equity and fixed income derivatives and structured products, and their applications in managing investment risks. Finally, we study how to evaluate investment performance.

Behavioral Finance (4 credits)

This course analyzes how individuals, firms and other organizations make decisions. Standard economic and financial models assume rational agents, even though people may not always act rationally. In this course, we will study theories and evidence from psychology on individual decision-making, focusing on biases, heuristics and other factors that are missing from these standard models. We will discuss and analyze topical applications to economics (e.g., intertemporal choice, retirement savings, altruism) and finance (e.g., efficient markets, investor psychology, bubbles), including improved economic theory and potential public policy responses. The course will also improve students' understanding of individual behavior with an aim to improve their own decision-making in professional and personal settings.

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

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.

Interested in Our Online Programs?

Feb
16

Priority Application Deadline

February 16th
Summer 2024 Term
Apr
5

Application Deadline

April 5th
Summer 2024 Term
May
6

Next Start

May 6th
Summer 2024 Term