GF500: Financial Institutions and Markets

This course analyzes the applications of the instruments of the U.S. and world financial markets and institutions. It focuses on interest rate determination, the effects of the Federal Reserve System monetary policy on financial markets, analysis of the major debt and equity financial assets (securities) markets, and management and policies of commercial banks.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

GF510: Risk Analysis and Management

This course focuses on the financial instruments used for financial risk management, including forwards, futures, options, and swaps. An emphasis is placed on the identification of financial risks and designing an optimal risk management program.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

GF520: Corporate Finance

This course is designed to provide a framework for understanding and analyzing the asset, liability, and capital structure of corporations. You will examine valuation and capital budgeting techniques and risk evaluation, and build a strong understanding of how and why corporations make specific financial decisions.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

GF530: Financial Statement Analysis

In this course, you will analyze and utilize financial statements to assess the financial performance of a firm. The course also addresses the importance of adhering to ethical guidelines in financial reporting as well as the role financial statement analysis plays in the strategic planning process.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: GF510

GF540: Investment and Securities Analysis

In this course, you will examine the principles, theories, and methods of investing. Topics include common stocks, bonds, options, mutual funds, convertibles, and warrants.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: GF510

GF550: Retirement Planning

This course explores retirement planning and both qualified and nonqualified retirement plans. You will evaluate the provisions and rules associated with various plans and governmental regulations pertaining to retirement benefits. Topics include retirement needs analysis, compensation plans, and retirement plan provisions. The course follows the Certified Financial Planner™ retirement portion of the exam learning outcomes.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None

GF561: Derivatives and Hedging

This course explores the structure, uses, and strategies associated with financial derivative markets. This course will evaluate options, futures, forwards, SWAPs, and other alternative investment securities or contracts. Valuation, hedging, speculative activity, and other derivative-related risk management issues are covered.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: GF540

GF570: Portfolio Management

This course blends portfolio theory with practical issues that students will encounter in their careers as financial professionals. Topics include identifying investor objectives and constraints, recognizing risk and return characteristics of investment vehicles, developing strategic asset allocations among equity, fixed-income, and risk-free assets, and utilizing derivative securities to manage portfolio risk and maximize portfolio returns. Also covered is the evaluation of portfolio and manager performance relative to investment objectives and appropriate benchmarks.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: GF540

GF580: Ethics for Financial Professionals

Using the CFA Institute Code and Standards and Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS) as a guide, this course introduces ethical standards and practices applicable to financial professionals. You will investigate past financial scandals as well as ethical problems encountered in today's financial and corporate worlds.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: Completion of all core courses

GF581: Financial Strategies for a Global Environment

This course focuses on the financial strategies used in a global environment. The relationship between international accounting and global business and investment strategies are discussed. Topics include recent developments in financial strategy, international trade, and economic decision making.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: Completion of all core courses

GF582: Statistical Methods for Decision Making

This course covers the theory and application of statistics for decision making when solving problems in logistics, accounting, marketing, management, and financial business problems. Topics include regression analysis and optimization modeling. You will perform statistical analyses to offer solutions to financial-related problems and issues.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: Completion of all core courses

GF583: Treasury Management I

This course introduces you to the foundations, principals, and five required domains of treasury management required for the Certified Treasury Professional certification. The content includes the first half of the required treasury management knowledge that is outlined in the Certified Treasury Professional certification exam. You will gain a framework for understanding the application of cash management, capital structure, regulatory and operational risk management, financial relationships, and technology influences upon treasury functions.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: Completion of all core courses

GF584: Treasury Management II

This course provides a stronger understanding of the foundations, principals, and five required domains of treasury management and for the Certified Treasury Professional certification. The content includes the second half of the required treasury management knowledge outlined in the Certified Treasury Professional certification exam. You will advance your understanding for the application of cash management, capital structure, regulatory and operational risk management, financial relationships, and technology influences upon treasury functions.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: GF583

GF590: Personal Financial Planning

This course provides an in-depth overview of personal financial planning. Students will learn how to prepare personal financial statements. Topics include time value of money, cash flow and debt management, education planning, risk management, retirement planning, financial planning ethics, and an overview of practice management concepts.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: Completion of all core courses

GF591: Individual Insurance Planning

This course introduces you to risk management and insurance decisions in personal financial planning. Topics include insurance for life, health, disability, property, and liability risks, as well as annuities, group insurance, and long-term care.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: Completion of all core courses

GF592: Income Tax Planning and Strategies

This course covers income tax planning and strategies used to formulate financial decisions. You will explore the impact of taxes on family financial decisions. Topics include tax strategies and economic and management principles.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: Completion of all core courses

GF593: Estate Planning

This course focuses on estate planning and the efficient conservation and transfer of wealth, consistent with the client's goals. You will examine the legal, tax, financial, and nonfinancial aspects of estate planning. Topics include trusts, wills, probate, advanced directives, charitable giving, wealth transfers, and related taxes.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: Must be taken in final term or have approval of the Dean

GF599: Graduate Capstone in Finance

This capstone course builds on the concepts of all the courses taken within the Master of Science in Finance and provides students with an opportunity to integrate their previous coursework in a meaningful review of their learning and to assess their level of mastery of the stated outcomes of their degree program.

Quarter Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: Last term or permission from the Dean