This undergraduate certificate serves students who have completed the prerequisites that make up the Business Profession Program Milestone. Time, patience, discipline, and money are often cited as the prerequisites for thriving in the world of investments. But students who wish better preparation can enhance their acumen with five courses designed to develop an understanding of financial theory, while getting real-world practice through our Student Managed Investment Fund and Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) Global Investment Research Challenge.
This certificate will provide you with a foundation in financial theory, however you also will have the opportunity to participate in the Student Managed Investment Fund. In this two-course sequence, students are responsible for making the buy, sell, and portfolio construction decisions for a portfolio in excess of $1 million. This is not a 'paper' portfolio, but rather an actual account the students manage on behalf of the NAU Foundation.
You may also participate in the CFA Global Investment Research Challenge, a global competition that provides you the opportunity to write a research report on a local company, and present your findings to senior investment professionals. You will compete against student teams from across the southwest, with the hope of winning and being able to compete at the global level. Throughout the certificate program, the emphasis is on the direct, real-world application of the curriculum. These real-world investment experiences will help to build your résumé and prepare you as you move forward in an investment career.
To receive an undergraduate certificate (at least 15 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.
Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates, if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program). See the "Details" tab for additional information.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 15 |
| Major GPA | 2.0 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 121 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Required |
Purpose Statement
The mission of the Northern Arizona University undergraduate Finance Program is to educate skilled and well-trained finance professionals. The graduates with a major in finance will be well positioned to understand important issues and tools in the fields of investments, corporate finance, financial institutions, risk management and international finance. They will be prepared for their first position in the field of finance and prepared to continue to progress throughout their careers.
Consistent with this goal, the Finance Area seeks to continuously improve the curriculum to ensure that our graduates possess those core competencies which are most closely aligned with the values of finance professionals. While knowledge requirements will change with time, these core competencies have long-term value and will support a variety of career opportunities in the fields of investments, corporate finance, banking, and risk management. Coursework provides students with professional preparation focusing on the concepts and principles involved in four core skill areas common to many careers in the field of finance: asset valuation, risk assessment and management, analysis of financial statements, and forecasting financial statements. Students also have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and apply course concepts while managing a real-dollar portfolio of stocks and bonds by participating in the Student Management Investment Fund. At the completion of the Investments Certificate, students will be able to demonstrate competency in designing, implementing, monitoring, and managing investment portfolios that are appropriate given an investor’s profile. Students are also prepared to enter a master’s program in business if they choose to continue in an academic track.
Student Learning Outcomes
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
The W.A. Franke College of Business (FCB) offers more than a dozen undergraduate certificates, some of which are open to all Northern Arizona University students.
For a list of certificates open to non-business majors, contact the Office of Academic Services in the FCB.
The FCB does not accept upper-division transfer credits from programs not accredited by the AACSB (such as the University of Phoenix or the Bachelor of Business Administration program at NAU).
You must complete 9 units of certificate coursework that are not used in your major, minor, or other certificates, and you must complete at least 60% of certificate coursework at Northern Arizona University.
Take the following 15 units with a minimum GPA of 2.0:
You must have completed all of the coursework used to fulfill these requirements within the last 10 years.
This certificate may only be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program. This certificate is not available as a stand-alone certificate.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.