Finance Courses

FINC 200

Personal Financing

3 to 3 credit hours

The course content is designed to help the learner make wise spending, saving, and credit decisions and to make effective use of income to achieve personal financial success.

FINC 300

Principles of Finance

3 to 3 credit hours

P: ACCT-210
P: BANA-250 or BANA-251
P: MATH-132 or MATH-135

This course is an introduction to corporate finance and the techniques used by financial managers. Topics include: an overview of the financial environment, analysis of financial statements, consideration of risk and return on investment, the time value of money, valuation models of stocks and bonds, the cost of capital and capital budgeting, the capital structure and dividend policy of firms, and an overview of capital markets and the investment banking process.

FINC 310

Financial Institutions and Markets

3 to 3 credit hours

P: FINC-300 ECON-202

*Formerly Money and Banking. This course is designed to help students understand the operations of financial institutions and financial markets and the crucial role they play in modern economies. This course focuses on four broad areas that include: the importance of studying money and banking and an overview of the financial system including a detailed understanding of the banking sector, banking regulations, and the impact of banking functions on the local and national economy; understanding interest rates and its importance in market economies and the financial sector; the importance of money and monetary policy and the role of the Federal Reserve System; and issues related to financial institutions. In addition, students learn about banking services, financial fraud, and the critical role of ethics in the financial sector. *Note: Students admitted under the 2021 catalog will follow the 2022 catalog for FINC 310 and the course content taught.

FINC 320

Investment and Portfolio Analysis

3 to 3 credit hours

P: FINC-300

Investment and Portfolio Analysis focuses on the theories and techniques basic to control of investment risks and optimization of investment returns. Students study the investment setting and asset allocation, the organization and functioning of securities markets, efficiency of capital markets, asset pricing models, security valuation, investment companies and the futures and options markets.

FINC 322

General Principles of Financial Planning

3 to 3 credit hours

P: Sophomore Standing

This course provides a comprehensive examination of the general principles of financial planning, professional conduct and regulation, and education planning. These topics constitute thirty percent of the principal knowledge topics tested on the CFP® Certification Examination. The course introduces students to the financial planning process and working with clients to set goals and assess risk tolerance. ln addition, students will learn to process and analyze information, construct personal financial statements, develop debt management plans, recommend financing strategies, and understand the basic components of a written comprehensive financial plan. The course also covers the regulatory environment, time value of money, and economic concepts. This class has optional live sessions.

FINC 323

Risk Management and Insurance Planning

3 to 3 credit hours

P: Sophomore Standing

This course provides a comprehensive examination of the general principles of risk management and insurance planning for individual and family clients. These topics constitute approximately seventeen percent of the principal knowledge topics tested on the CFP® Certification Examination. The course first introduces students to the risk management and insurance planning process and working with clients to analyze and evaluate risk exposures. Second, the core insurance lines of coverage are explored in detail, including: health, disability, long-term care, life, and personal property and casualty (homeowners', personal auto policy, etc.). In addition, the student will learn to analyze an individual and family's insurance needs, to select the most appropriate insurance policy and company, and to understand a business owner's use of insurance to protect the business' assets and future income. This class has optional live sessions.

FINC 324

Investment Planning

3 to 3 credit hours

P: Sophomore Standing

The course is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in the financial planning and asset management profession. The course and curriculum are approved by the CFP® Board of Standards and meet one component of the educational requirement for becoming a Certified Financial Planner. This course explores the securities market, sources of information, risk/return, stocks, bonds, options, futures, and security analysis, and culminates in portfolio construction and analysis. You will learn how to evaluate different asset classes for different investment objectives and determine their suitability for investors considering investment goals, time horizons, risk tolerance, and tax situations. This class has optional live sessions.

FINC 325

Tax Planning

3 to 3 credit hours

P: Sophomore Standing

This course covers taxation for individuals, sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations, as well as the tax aspects of investments, insurance, annuities, and retirement planning. Students will be able to identify the likely tax consequences of personal and business financial activities and select appropriate and lawful tax-minimizing tactics and strategies. This class has optional live sessions.

FINC 326

Retirement Savings and Incom Planning

3 to 3 credit hours

P: Sophomore Standing

This course provides students with a foundation in retirement planning, including how to conduct retirement needs analyses, evaluate plan options, and recommend strategies suited to clients' goals. Students will compare defined benefit and contribution plans, lRAs, nonqualified plans, and employer-sponsored options such as 401(k), 403(b), ESOPs, and SEP-IRAs, while also examining Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. The course covers tax implications, distribution strategies, and regulatory considerations, with an emphasis on aligning plans to client suitability. Students will also explore employee benefits, funding vehicles, plan administration, and post-retirement issues such as lifestyle planning and distribution management. This course satisfies part of the educational requirements to sit for the CFP® examination. This class has optional live sessions.

FINC 327

Estate Planning

3 to 3 credit hours

P: Sophomore Standing

This course provides an introduction to federal gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer taxes and the many planning techniques used to minimize the impact of these taxes on transfers of wealth. lt also explores the income-tax effects of gifts and bequests, with particular attention to the limitations on income-shifting to family members. The non-tax aspects of estate planning, including the estate planning process, property ownership, planning for incapacity, and planning for business owners are examined as are the need for estate planning documents for individuals, spouses, and unmarried couples. The course stresses the need for balancing tax and non-tax considerations in creating successful estate plans. This class has optional live sessions.

FINC 328

Financial Plan Development

3 to 3 credit hours

P: FINC-322, FINC-323, FINC-324, FINC-325, FINC-326, Sophomore Standing

This course provides students an opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge learned through the prerequisite six-course CFP® curriculum. Students will participate in developing a complete financial plan, through the use of case studies and interviewing mock clients. Presentations of a formal financial plan, demonstrating the ability to set client expectations and communicate with clients by answering questions and concerns, are also required. This class has optional live sessions.

FINC 330

International Finance

3 to 3 credit hours

P: FINC-300 ECON-202

This course provides an understanding of finance in the international context. In a globally integrated world, it has become imperative to trade, invest and conduct business operations internationally. The course exposes the students to the opportunities and risks associated with international finance.

FINC 340

Advanced Corporate Finance

3 to 3 credit hours

P: FINC-320

This course teaches students how to address a wide variety of financial and managerial issues and problems. Topics include planning for current and long-run financial needs, merger analysis, dividend policies, choosing the optimal capital structure, raising funds in both domestic and foreign capital markets, and risk management in an international setting. Students will use case analysis to explore the interrelationship of money, interest rates, and the economy. Finally, students will learn about money and monetary policy, the Federal Reserve System, and financial regulatory bodies.

FINC 347

Healthcare Finance

3 to 3 credit hours

P: ACCT-210, ACCT-211, and MGMT-344

This course teaches you how to apply concepts of finance and accounting to healthcare. You will learn how to track and e valuate the financial status of a healthcare organization. Additionally, you will learn how healthcare systems finance growth, and other projects. By the end of this course, you will be able to analyze issues and trends in healthcare finance and use financial information to support healthcare decision-making. This online course has optional live sessions.

FINC 350

Futures and Options

3 to 3 credit hours

P: FINC-320

This course teaches students how to understand theories and practices of futures, options, and swaps, which are used in business. It is an experiential class using CME Group materials and industry leading Barchart software. Students participate in CME Group Trading Challenges using applied skills. The class will offer CME badges after completion of distinct parts and eventually receiving a certificate from CME Group upon successful completion of the course.

FINC 360

Risk Management Analysis and Student Managed Hedge Fund

3 to 3 credit hours

C: FINC-350

The course provides students with a career path in the investment industry. Students learn and apply technical and risk management skills to manage the Cougar Student Hedge Fund, which has a focus on investment grade ESG investments. This investment style has been lauded by the external community, including the Financial Times of London. Additionally, students will learn how to maximize returns of their investments using derivatives risk management through participation in CME Group Trading Challenge. A course textbook, CME Group Risk Management Materials, CME Software, and materials from the financial services industry will be used. The CME badges and certificates will be provided upon successful completion of the course.