Business Administration, Graduate Certificate in Finance

Business Graduate Committee

Program Chair

Beverley Hollingsworth, Ph.D.

Program Advisors

Denise Simion, Ph.D.
 

Committee

Beverley Hollingsworth, Ph.D. Chair

Michael Greenwood, Ph.D.

Denise Simion, Ph,D.

Kwahng Kimm Ph.D. 

Renee Scapparone D.B.A

James Page, Ph.D.

Marian Simion, Ph.D.

Marie Hunte, M.S.

James Monette, MBA

Patrck Malone, J.D., MBA

Brain Webb, MBA

Certificate Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Finance is made up of the three-course Finace concentration in the Fitchburg State University MBA program. Students enrolled in this program will gain an understanding of a number of advanced concepts in finance.  Students who successfully complete the graduate certificate in Finance  and then become admitted to the MBA program at the University may apply the credits from the certificate program to the Finance concentration In the MBA at Fitchburg State, and with just seven additional courses, satisfy the requirements for the MBA.  The certificate cannot be taken concurrently with the MBA program.  The Graduate Certificate in Finance is available online only.

Certificate Program Learning Outcomes - Finance

• Students will be able to understand the goals for international financial management, explain purchasing power parity and the functions and structure of the foreign exchange market, identify the various types of securities available in the market, and integrate and apply financial theories of valuation (risk and return), of portfolio management and efficient markets. 
• Students will be able to develop financial analytical tools useful for managers, investors and lenders, identify and utilize long range planning for capital sourcing growth of the enterprise and harvesting the venture, analyze and interpret investment information from various sources (both traditional and electronic, and identify key market participants including angel investors, venture capitalists and financial institutions.

Required Courses

• MGMT 9220 - International Financial Management
• MGMT 9230 - Entrepreneurial Finance
• MGMT 9240 - Investment Management

Total for Certificate - 9 Credits

MBA Graduate Certificate Admission Standards and Criteria

Admission into an MBA Gradaute Certificate will be the same as admission into the MBA program.

We are accredited by The International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). To enroll in the Master of Business Administration Program, a student must submit documents as outlined in the graduate admissions section as well as:

• An undergraduate GPA not less than 2.8 (students below a 2.8 must also submit a letter of recommendation to be considered for admission)
• TOEFL scores for natives of non-English speaking countries

Applicants to the Online/Accelerated MBA program who hold a bachelor degree in business are usually ready to begin the graduate-level coursework immediately, assuming that they have a suitable academic background. Professional experience is also a suitable foundation for graduate work. Students who do not hold a bachelor degree in business, or do not have the equivalent in professional experience, may wish to take courses at the undergraduate level to build a stronger foundation for graduate level work. Determination is made by the Graduate Program Chair.

Note - Students admitted to the MBA program or already enrolled in the MBA are not eligible for the certificate stand alone option.