Graduate Certificate in Finance Online

Master emerging strategies to analyze and manage global finance, investments, and capital sourcing in both traditional and entrepreneurial settings.

Apply by: 2/17/25
Start Class: 3/17/25

Overview

See the scope of our Graduate Certificate in Finance online

$3,924 Total Tuition
5 months Duration
9 Credit Hours

The Graduate Certificate in Finance online program at Fitchburg State University advances your global financial acumen. Expand your ability to use financial analytical tools, as you learn key strategies to manage portfolios, evaluate investment opportunities, and source for funding from financial institutions, venture capitalists, and angel investors.

Along with completion in as few as five months, this online finance graduate certificate program provides an ideal stepping stone toward earning your Master of Business Administration in Finance, which also is available 100% online. All nine credit hours from the certificate program can be applied toward the MBA program. Whether you're looking to add to your expertise or start an MBA, this certificate complements any career goals.

Online courses are designed and taught by the same degreed Fitchburg State faculty who teach on campus, many of whom are working professionals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for financial managers nationwide is expected to grow by 16% through 2028.

Upon completion of this finance program, you will be prepared for a wide range of career opportunities such as:

  • Personal Financial Advisor
  • Financial Analyst
  • Management Analyst
  • Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Business Analytics Specialist
  • Management Consultant
  • Operations Analyst
  • Personal Financial Advisor
  • Financial Analyst
  • Management Analyst
  • Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Business Analytics Specialist
  • Management Consultant
  • Operations Analyst

Student learning outcomes:

  • Students will be able to fully understand the goals for international financial management, explain the functions and structure of the foreign exchange market and purchasing power parity, and identify the various types of securities available in the market
  • Students will be able to skillfully apply and integrate financial theories of valuation (risk and return) of portfolio management and efficient markets
  • Students will be able to develop financial analytical tools useful for lenders, managers, and investors
  • Students will be able to 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 electronic and traditional), and identify key market participants including, venture capitalists, angel investors, and financial institutions
  • Students will be able to fully understand the goals for international financial management, explain the functions and structure of the foreign exchange market and purchasing power parity, and identify the various types of securities available in the market
  • Students will be able to skillfully apply and integrate financial theories of valuation (risk and return) of portfolio management and efficient markets
  • Students will be able to develop financial analytical tools useful for lenders, managers, and investors
  • Students will be able to 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 electronic and traditional), and identify key market participants including, venture capitalists, angel investors, and financial institutions

Upon completion of this finance program, you will be prepared for a wide range of career opportunities such as:

  • Personal Financial Advisor
  • Financial Analyst
  • Management Analyst
  • Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Business Analytics Specialist
  • Management Consultant
  • Operations Analyst
  • Personal Financial Advisor
  • Financial Analyst
  • Management Analyst
  • Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Business Analytics Specialist
  • Management Consultant
  • Operations Analyst

Accreditation

IACBE Accredited

Fitchburg State University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).

Also available

Fitchburg State offers a variety of specialized graduate certificate options. Check out all of our online graduate certificates or discover our highly specialized MBA online degree programs.

$3,924 Total Tuition
As few as 5 months Duration
9 Credit Hours

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Need More Information?

Call 844-351-9393

Call 844-351-9393

Tuition

Keep your budget on track with affordable tuition

Our online graduate certificate program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.

Tuition breakdown:

$3,924 Total Tuition
$436 Per credit hour

Tuition breakdown:

$3,924 Total Tuition
$436 Per credit hour

Calendar

Set a calendar reminder for these key dates

Fitchburg State online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.

Now enrolling:

2/17/25 Apply Date
3/17/25 Class Starts
SessionProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineIntent to Enroll DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment Deadline
Spring A1/15/2512/17/2412/27/241/3/251/6/251/7/25
Spring B3/17/252/17/252/28/253/7/253/10/253/11/25
Summer A5/19/254/21/255/2/255/9/255/12/255/13/25
Summer B7/10/256/9/256/20/256/27/256/30/257/1/25
Fall A9/4/258/5/258/15/258/25/258/26/25
Fall B10/29/259/29/2510/10/2510/20/2510/21/25

Now enrolling:

2/17/25 Apply Date
3/17/25 Class Starts

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?

Admissions

Preview the application process for the Graduate Certificate in Finance online

At Fitchburg State, we’ve streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Finance online, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them.

Admissions Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • GPA not less than 2.8 on undergrad coursework
  • Transcripts from all institutions previously attended

You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for admission.

  • Submit graduate application and $50 application fee
  • Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, with official transcripts
  • Overall undergraduate GPA of not less than 2.8
  • Official transcripts of graduate-level coursework from a regionally accredited institution (if applicable)*
  • Professional resume
  • Students with undergraduate GPAs of less than 2.8 may also be considered for admission based on their professional work experience and a letter of recommendation
  • No GMAT is required

Dual Concentration Options

Students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who are currently enrolled in the MBA program may request to enroll in one additional concentration after their first semester. Students who have been approved for a dual concentration must:

  1. Complete the course requirements for each concentration (completed courses can only be counted once toward one concentration)
  2. Meet the requirements for the catalog year in which their dual concentration is approved
All concentrations are eligible for the dual concentration option; additional course charges will apply


Dual Concentration Request Form

To submit official documents by mail, send them to:

Fitchburg State University
Admissions Office
160 Pearl Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420

International Students:

  • An English Proficiency test is required for natives of non-English speaking countries (see testing options below)
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended*
  • International Credit Evaluation for degrees and coursework taken outside of the United States
  • GPA of not less than 2.5
  • Application fee ($50)
  • Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose (300 word minimum)

*All foreign transcripts must be formally evaluated before we are able to make an admission decision. We accept evaluations and the respective type of evaluation from one of the following credentialing agencies:

English Language Proficiency - Applicants can demonstrate English proficiency by submitting official test scores from one of the following approved exams:

  • TOEFL - minimum score requires TOEFL iBT 79, paper based-TOEFL 550
  • IEFLTS - minimum score required 6.5 overall band score
  • Duolingo English Test - minimum score required 105
  • PTE Academic Test - minimum score required 58

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign education (from a non-English speaking country) will need to follow the international admission requirements (English proficiency testing excluded). Students in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa are not eligible for the program. I-20s are not issued for online programs.

TOEFL Code: 3518

IELTS Code: No code; please select Fitchburg State as a recipient.

Courses

Gain a broad overview in your finance graduate certificate online courses

For the Graduate Certificate in Finance online, the curriculum is comprised of 3 courses covering 9 credit hours.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students taking this required course should expect to learn the nature and purposes of financial management in the international context. They will gain skills in international investment and financing techniques and in exchange risk management, including accounting and taxation aspects. They will also learn how to judge the riskiness of a currency from a firm's perspective, and how to measure and manage the company's exposure to exchange rate and international interest rate risks. They will discover how companies use banks, markets such as the Eurobond and currency option markets, and techniques such as currency swaps and hybrid bond structures. In the end, the goal is to apply practical approaches to the international firm's investment, financing and risk management decisions.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will familiarize you with topics in entrepreneurial finance. It focuses on applying financial theory and principles to small firms. There is a special emphasis on the specific issues that confront small businesses through their life cycle of development, start-up, expansion, maturity and harvesting. The course will introduce the main financial issues affecting startup companies, venture capital markets, private equity and debt financing, valuing small companies; harvesting methods. The course will be divided into two parts. Part one of Entrepreneurial Finance covers what might be called “small business survival skills”, including assessing financial performance, financial planning, identifying external financing needs and business valuation. Part two of the course will address the issues and challenges associated with Financing for Entrepreneurial Enterprises.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Essentials of investments continues to evolve along with the changes in the financial markets yet remains organized around one basic theme that security markets are nearly efficient, meaning that you should expect to find few obvious bargains in these markets. This course places great emphasis on asset allocation while presenting the practical applications of investment theory. It also focuses on investment analysis, which allows us to present the practical applications of investment theory and convey practical value insights.

Course rotation:

View Course Rotation

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