2019-2020 Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Finance Investment Management Certificate


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To obtain the Certificate in Finance Investment Management, students complete the following five courses from the Master of Science in Financial Analysis program:

  1. Derivatives I
  2. Alternative Investments
  3. Portfolio Management
  4. Capital Market Theory
  5. Ethics for Finance I

Courses in the Certificate are taken for a letter grade and can be used for academic units towards the MS in Financial Analysis program. This Certificate is designed for individuals who possess a working knowledge of the standard asset classes of stocks, bonds and derivatives. The Certificate in Finance Investment Management provides sophisticated training in constructing and managing investment portfolios of stocks, bonds, derivatives and alternative assets. For more information, please contact admissions at management@usfca.edu or (415) 422-2221.

When and where are classes held? 
All classes meet in San Francisco at the University of San Francisco School of Management’s campus in downtown San Francisco (101 Howard Street). Courses generally meet weekdays once a week for four hours. Students have the option of taking courses in the Hybrid Online/Live MSFA program with live class sessions that meet once a month. Completing the Certificate may take longer using classes in the Hybrid MSFA program due to scheduling.

How many courses do I take at a time?
Courses in this certificate are offered throughout the year. Most students will be taking one or two classes at a time and can complete the program in one year or less. International students are not eligible to apply for this Certificate due to US visa regulations.

How do I apply for the Certificate in Investment Management? 
You need to submit your resume, statement of purpose and transcripts from any university level programs.

Program Learning Outcomes


  • Describe and interpret equity rate of return models including the capital asset pricing model, arbitrage pricing theory and multifactor models in order to attempt to find mispriced stocks.
  • Analyze the valuation of derivatives, including forwards, futures, options and swaps, with an emphasis on how these contracts are used to manage risk by both investors and corporations.
  • Construct and evaluate complex investment portfolios based on mean-variance optimization, and understand the key decisions when undertaking strategic and tactical asset allocation.
  • Recognize the important aspects of efficient diversification and rebalancing.
  • Specify and quantify investor objectives, constraints, and preferences and develop an appropriate investment policy statement.
  • Evaluate alternative investments and strategies including private equity, venture capital, distressed debt, hedge funds, real estate and commodities, and understand how these investments are used in a well-diversified portfolio.
  • Describe the framework for the ethical conduct as set out in the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
  • Evaluate and assess how these standards have, or have not been, followed in specific investment situations.
  • Discuss how the CFA ethical standards relate more broadly to ethical values.

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