Earn a Specialized Finance Credential for Success in the Business World
Every type of business relies on trained finance professionals to be successful. The skills you gain in the affordable, 100% online Finance graduate certificate will help you stand out from the competition and get qualified for the job you want. This certificate is a part of Saint Mary’s Accelerators carefully crafted series of master's-level graduate certificates. Designed to advance your career to help you meet personal and professional goals, this program can be taken alone or you can apply your credits as a pathway toward a master's degree.
Meet Your Career Goals in Just One Year
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota offers a graduate certificate in finance program designed for professionals who want to sharpen their skills and gain relevant experience for the next step in their career. Because this program is delivered in a flexible online format, you can study on your schedule and earn a valuable business credential in two semesters or less.
The credits you earn in this certificate program can be applied toward our accelerated online MBA or one of the following:
- M.S. in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics
- M.A. in Human Resource Management
- M.A. in Organizational Leadership
- M.S. in Project Management
The online Finance Graduate Certificate features a curriculum made up of core financial topics, so you learn to analyze complex information and make smart budgeting decisions that improve company outcomes. Accelerate your career with our affordable online Finance Graduate Certificate and reach your goals.
Saint Mary's Accelerators
Saint Mary's offers a selection of graduate certificate programs designed to accelerate your degree and help you achieve your goals faster. Customize your education and get a glimpse of graduate coursework by stacking Saint Mary's Accelerators, each of which requires the completion of 12–15 credits and adds only six additional credits to your degree program. Complete extra credentials and gain a competitive edge for your field while saving time and money.
Additionally, several certificate programs also offer Credly badging for each course. These badges serve as a graphic representation of the skills you gained by completing a specific course or graduate certificate program. They can be displayed on social media platforms like LinkedIn and your CV and resume to visually showcase your specific leadership knowledge and skills to current and potential employers, credentialing programs, and admissions offices.
One of the hallmarks of our “accelerators” is that they are stackable into or onto full degree programs. Students can pursue a graduate certificate and then decide to continue into a full degree program in the same or a different discipline.
-Michelle Wieser, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Business and Technology
To learn more about Saint Mary's graduate certificates check out this interview with Michelle Wieser.
Curriculum
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 of foundational finance courses, this program is offered in a flexible format. You will develop skill sets employers are looking for and learn to make data-driven financial and investment judgments.
Courses to Accelerate Your Education
With Saint Mary's Accelerators, you'll be awarded a course-level badge upon the successful completion of each of the graduate course offerings listed below. Additionally, you'll also be awarded the graduate certificate badge upon the successful completion of all coursework required for the Accelerator Graduate Certificate you choose. You may also stack Accelerators to customize your education and prepare for diverse professional opportunities while saving time and money.
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 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.
Digital Badging
Now you can share your accomplishments with your professional network using our digital badging for each course completed throughout your course of study in the Finance graduate certificate program. Learn More
Current Certificate Requirements
For current certificate requirements, visit the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota course catalog.
Program Outcomes
When you complete this program, you will be able to:
- Analyze and interpret financial information.
- Evaluate equity securities and assess the risk and return of investment portfolios.
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct capital budgeting.
- Assess the risks involved in engaging in foreign investments.
Prepare for In-Demand Finance Careers
The online Finance graduate 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.
The average salary for business and finance professionals is $69,820, and demand is expected to grow 7% through 2028 – faster than the national average.1 Factors like globalization, a growing economy, and a need for risk-aware investment strategies are driving this impressive growth. Earning a graduate certificate in finance from Saint Mary's can put you on the path to career advancement.
Certificate Completion
The online Finance graduate certificate is designed to be completed in just one year and is financial aid eligible. No prerequisite coursework is required, and you don't need GRE/GMAT scores to apply.
For admission to the program, you'll need:
- An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
- A minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
- A written statement: Your background and future goals all impact your success with Saint Mary's and inform your education. As you prepare your written statement, think about including previous experiences, education, and your strengths and interests. Share your motivations for entering the online Finance Certificate program and how it will contribute to your career.
- The names of two people (including title, organization, email, phone number) who can serve as professional references, if needed, during the application review process. The best references are those who know you in a professional capacity, such as current or former supervisors.
- A current resume: Include both your educational and professional experience.
If your overall GPA is below 2.75, you may receive conditional status in the program at the discretion of the program director.