A Graduate Certificate in Financial Services Management will be awarded to MBA and MS Finance students who complete the following among their elective choices:
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FINA 7397 | Applied Equity Portfolio Management | 9cr* |
| FINA 7397 | Financial Analysis and Corporate Strategy | 3cr* |
| FINA 7320 | Investment Management | 3cr** |
| FINA **** | Free Elective with FINA designation | 3cr** |
*Admission to these courses (and hence the Graduate Certificate program) is not automatic. Students must apply after completing the core of the MBA or MS Finance. See Application Procedure below.
** These are regular courses in the masters programs.
The Cougar Investment Fund is a $7 million private investment fund managed by students enrolled in FINA 7397: Applied Equity Portfolio Management. This course offers 9 credit hours and requires a 12 month commitment beginning at the start of fall semester. Students who take this course must also concurrently (in the fall) register for the 3 credit hour course FINA 7397: Financial Analysis and Corporate Strategy.
Students in Applied Equity Portfolio Management course are security analysts and portfolio managers for the Cougar Investment Fund, a multi-million dollar private equity fund. The objective of the fund is to identify and invest in stocks whose market prices are below intrinsic value, while maintaining a risk exposure roughly equivalent to that of a broad market index. As analysts and portfolio management teams, students will build valuation models, make security selections, monitor compliance with fund objectives and perform the accounting and reporting duties necessary in the management of an equity mutual fund. This experience will require that students synthesize and apply all the main skills covered in the other graduate courses in Finance. Class meetings often involve lecture material or speakers. Students should therefore plan for significant outside time to be spent on work for the Fund.
The first half of Financial Analysis and Corporate Strategy introduces students to the details of Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement reports as they relate to investment decisions. The main focus will be on estimating free cash flow, and identifying the components of total enterprise value. Off-balance sheet financing, pension and employee stock option liabilities will be discussed. The second half of the course covers topics relating to the business models, industry structure and the competitive environment for firms within those industries. Specific attention will be paid to the types of strategies firms can adopt in cooperating with partners and competing with rivals. Cases will be utilized to illustrate the consequences of the strategic choices firms can make. Students will come to recognize the strategies companies follow, and the implications of those strategies for corporate value creation.
Pre-requisites for these courses are MBA core Finance and Accounting (FINA 6335 and ACCT 6331 or equivalent).
To apply, go to www.cougarinvestmentfund.com and click the Students Apply Here menu item. Follow the instructions to create a login and upload the required information by March 31 of the year in which enrollment is sought. Enrollment in these classes will be limited to 16 applicants. Decisions will be made in early April.
