Graduate Certificate in Finance: Tracks

The various tracks of the Graduate Certificate in Finance aim to serve the individual in the track that best fits their learning needs. We found a need in the market to serve students who want additional learnings without pursuing an entirely new degree. This fill-gap offering meets that request. Should you decide that after certificate completion that you'll continue with a new degree, the coursework completed in the certificate will apply to your degree.

Finance Details

Student listening to lecture at SMU Cox

The broader level - not track-focused - Graduate Certificate in Finance is for individuals taking on greater financial business management in their current roles. These are individuals look to pivot into financial analyst roles and need solid foundational knowledge.

Additionally, individuals who are working on M&A or looking to growing into M&A are able to take two M&A electives to build their knowledge. 

This certificate includes the following courses:

  • FINA 6201 Managerial Finance
  • FINA 6205 Finance Theory and Practice
  • FINA 6216 Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing
  • At least two additional FINA courses (opportunity to take M&A courses -- courses can be viewed in our Graduate Catalog here)

The Graduate Certificate in Finance takes place over 2 terms, lasting 9-10 months and earning 10 credit hours. With SMU Cox Edge, you can take courses online or in-person as class availability allows. The cost for academic year 2024-2025 is $21,490.  

If you feel you have the ability to waive one of these courses, please chat with your Admissions team member during your interview about custom plans and start term options. Reach out to us here!

Investment Track Details

The Graduate Certificate in Finance: Investments Track is for individuals looking to grow investment management skills to pivot into financial management.

SMU Cox offers a Quantitative Trading Strategies course, which is recommended for this track student in the latter half of the certificate completion. This certificate includes the following courses:

  • FINA 6201 Managerial Finance
  • FINA 6205 Finance Theory and Practice
  • FINA 6216 Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing
  • FINA 6218 Fixed Income Securities
  • FINA 6219 Derivatives
  • At least one additional FINA course (recommended to take FINA 6226 Quantitative Trading Strategies --courses can be viewed in our Graduate Catalog here)

The Graduate Certificate in Finance: Investments Track takes place over 2 terms, lasting 9-10 months and earning 12 credit hours. With SMU Cox Edge, you can take courses online or in-person as class availability allows. The cost for academic year 2024-2025 is $25,788.  

If you feel you have the ability to waive one of these courses, please chat with your Admissions team member during your interview about custom plans and start term options. Reach out to us here!

Corporate Finance Track Details

Presentation of corporate finance work at SMU Cox

The Graduate Certificate in Finance: Corporate Finance Track is for individuals taking on greater financial business management in their current roles.  Individuals looking to pivot into financial analyst roles and need solid foundational knowledge.

SMU Cox offers a Financial Modeling course, which is recommended for this track student in the latter half of the certificate completion. This certificate includes the following courses:

  • FINA 6201 Managerial Finance
  • FINA 6205 Finance Theory and Practice
  • FINA 6216 Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing
  • FINA 6211 Valuation and Analysis
  • FINA 6212 Corporate Financial Policies
  • At least one additional FINA course (recommended to take FINA 6238 Financial Modeling -- courses can be viewed in our Graduate Catalog here)

The Graduate Certificate in Finance: Corporate Finance Track takes place over 2 terms, lasting 9-10 months and earning 12 credit hours. With SMU Cox Edge, you can take courses online or in-person as class availability allows. The cost for academic year 2024-2025 is $25,788.  

If you feel you have the ability to waive one of these courses, please chat with your Admissions team member during your interview about custom plans and start term options. Reach out to us here!

Energy Track Details

SMU Cox student mid-discussion

The Graduate Certificate in Finance: Energy Track is for individuals looking to pivot into a career in energy.  Engineers who want to pivot from engineering or field work into business side/investment and energy development.  

SMU Cox offers a Derivatives course, which is recommended for this track student in the latter half of the certificate completion. This certificate includes the following courses:

  • FINA 6201 Managerial Finance
  • FINA 6205 Finance Theory and Practice
  • FINA 6216 Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing
  • FINA 6228 Topics in Energy Finance
  • BUSE 6208 Special Topics in Energy Economics
  • At least one additional FINA course (recommended to take FINA 6219 Derivatives -- courses can be viewed in our Graduate Catalog here)

The Graduate Certificate in Finance: Energy Track takes place over 2 terms, lasting 9-10 months and earning 12 credit hours. With SMU Cox Edge, you can take courses online or in-person as class availability allows. The cost for academic year 2024-2025 is $25,788.  

If you feel you have the ability to waive one of these courses, please chat with your Admissions team member during your interview about custom plans and start term options. Reach out to us here!