Financial Skills Certificate

Take your first step to becoming a skilled finance professional

Financial Skills Certificate - 22 credits

Earn your Financial Skills Certificate while building the knowledge and experience you need to succeed in finance both academically and professionally. Your finance certificate will prepare you to continue on to earn a bachelor and master's degree in finance and also prepare you for a job as a bank teller or financial clerk to get a head start on your career.

The Financial Skills Certificate can be earned online through our Global Campus, or in the classroom on our Warren or Grand Rapids campuses.

Why a finance certificate?

A finance certificate from Davenport introduces the study and practice of basic finance principles, and covers topics like corporate finance and investment planning—all while building resume-boosting recognition and finance certifications. Students who complete this program can pursue an Associate of Business Administration in Finance and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance at Davenport. And when you’re ready, we also offer a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance.

Explore classes for Davenport’s Financial Skills Certificate

Choose to focus your study in the areas of corporate finance or investment planning. Complete the 22 credits needed for your finance certificate in as little as one year.

See Full Course List

Courses		22 Credits
ACES100	AchieveCareer/EducationSuccess This course presents the skills needed for university success and initiates students to career planning and development. Students evaluate their abilities and interests in order to develop career goals and align these goals with an appropriate course of study. Through a career investigation project, students are introduced to research techniques. Students also improve on academic skills necessary to successfully complete university work, such as critical thinking, study techniques, and test taking strategies. In addition, students are introduced to important dynamics of interpersonal communication and conflict resolution. The course also orients students to the University, to the Davenport University Excellence System, and to other elements of the Davenport curriculum. (This course is required for all new business, health, and technology students, except those transferring with 30 or more semester credits.) Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/h	3
ACCT201	Accounting Foundations I This course is an introduction to accounting principles emphasizing the operation of a business as a sole proprietorship and covers the complete accounting cycle for merchandising and service entities. Partnership accounting is also covered. The application of computer technology to accounting processes is integrated into this course. Grade Note(s): A grade of C or better is required to take the next course in the sequence. Co-requisite(s): BITS 211	4
BITS211	Microcomp Appl Spreadsheet Students create and manipulate spreadsheets with MS Excel to solve business applications. It is expected that students have a familiarity with spreadsheet software, as the course quickly progresses to advanced features, including data validation, linked workbooks, pivot tables, lookup functions, solver, and scenario manager. By the end of the semester, students will have the prerequisite skills to take applicable certification testing. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Recommended Prerequisite(s): MATH120 or MATH125	3
FINC211	Corporate Finance This course covers the fundamental principles of corporate finance. Students will be introduced to various methods of company analysis, the term structure of interest rates, the relationship between risk and return, time value of money principles, security analysis, cost of capital and capital structure, and capital budgeting techniques. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): ACCT201	3
FINC212	Advanced Corporate Finance This advanced course deals with topics concerning financial management and strategy. Theoretical as well as practical topics are discussed. Topics include financial planning and forecasting, the management of capital, and risk analysis in capital budgeting, as well as the working theories of capital structure and dividend policy. Students increase their analytical and problem-solving abilities in finance through the use of case studies and integrated PC software in applying various topics facing the modern financial manager. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): FINC211	3
FINC215	Investment Planning This course is an introduction to investment fundamentals, including risk and return; investment information sources; market indexes; analysis of the economy, industry and companies; and investments in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Students will also be introduced to international investing, active versus passive investment strategies, fundamental and technical analyses, and other investment vehicles such as options, warrants, and convertibles. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): FINC211	3
MATH120	College Mathematics Students in this course will explore and apply college-level mathematical concepts so as to enhance their critical and creative thinking skills. This course aims to increase students' appreciation of the utility and application of mathematics. Topics will include i) problem solving, ii) set theory and real numbers, iii) linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic functions, and iv) probability. Other topics of interest will be selected from graph theory, prime numbers, logic, number representation, and voting theory. Fees: Additional course fees apply. Prerequisite(s): Appropriate test scores, placement criteria, or successful completion of MATH 030	3

Which class should I take? When should I take it?

See our Recommended Program Sequences:

1:1

Smaller class sizes means you get more one-on-one time with professors.

This program requires just 22 credits to complete

Why study finance at Davenport University?

While earning your finance certificate, you’ll get personalized attention from professors who are experts in the fields of finance and banking and who work as certified financial planners, certified fraud examiners and more. Once you’ve earned your certificate, you can continue to an associates or bachelor program with a solid foundation.

Experience the Davenport difference:

Individual with dotted path line to destination

Easy transition to the next program

Easily move onto your associate degree or bachelor’s in finance and beyond after you earn your finance certificate.

Personalized attention from professors

Smaller classroom sizes mean you get one-on-one attention from expert faculty.

Flexible scheduling

Choose to complete your 22 credits in person or online—whichever suits your schedule.

Focus your studies

Start building your expertise in high-demand skills like corporate finance and investment planning.

Build career connections

Participate in campus clubs like Business Professionals of America, plus take part in networking opportunities.

Real-world experience

Get hands-on finance experience and build your credentials with service learning projects like the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

Get started on your finance certificate

Take the next step toward earning your certificate in financial management certificate at Davenport.

Talk to an admissions advisor

Davenport’s admissions team is here to answer your questions. Please call us at 800.686.1600 or email us at info@davenport.edu.

Apply now for free or request more information

Start on the road to your certificate in financial management. Request more information or begin your application now.

Your finance certificate stackable degrees

Davenport University's Financial Skills Certificate was designed as a building block for our associate, bachelor and master-level degree offerings. After finishing this stackable certificate, you'll be able to seamlessly apply the credits you earned to the degrees listed below –– all while earning resume-boosting recognition along the way.

Stack 1: Financial Skills Certificate

About Davenport University

Davenport is a private, not-for-profit university with more than 150 years of experience preparing students for successful careers.

Offering over 80 degree and certificate programs, we align with top employers to design degree programs that help you gain the skills and real-world experience you need to rise above the rest. With small class sizes and campuses across Michigan or online, you’ll earn a quality education on your schedule at Davenport University.*

Some programs require a student to complete a portion of their degree plan off-campus.
View a full list of those programs and courses

Source:

Davenport University, 2023/2024 Catalog