5 Fundamental MBA in Finance Program Classes
- Corporate Finance
- Investment Management
- International Banking
- Corporate Restructuring
- Financial Policy
An MBA in Finance degree is for students who want leadership and management positions in their respective business fields. An MBA finance specialization includes in-depth courses related to topics like:
- investments
- capital markets
- portfolio management
- derivative securities
- corporate finance
- transnational finance
- fiscal institutions
After graduation, students from various professional backgrounds will have enhanced technical skills and financial subject proficiency. Here are are some of the key classes to be completed in this degree program.
Related Resource: Top 40 Best Online MBAs in Finance
1. Corporate Finance
This course provides the framework of tools for analyzing financial decisions based on financial theory and practices. Some of the common topics include:
- dividend policy
- capital structure
- managerial finance
- corporate reorganizations
- decision-making charts
- mergers and acquisitions
Advanced topics include:
- capital asset pricing
- discounted cash flow techniques
- corporate capital valuation
- investment decisions under duress
Students learn the practical techniques and empirical evidence used to direct investment decisions and financial policies.
2. Investment Management
Financial leaders need to understand the management of investment portfolios. Coursework will touch on:
- trading
- diversification
- factor models
- mutual funds
- asset allocation
- portfolio optimization
- performance evaluation
Homework might require students to contrast risk vs. return or passive vs. active strategies. The latter might compare short-term index-funds against long-term hedge-funds. Some classes may touch on specific investment management areas, such as real estate financing. This may involve discussions on:
- project evaluation
- government policy
- real estate capital markets
3. International Banking
The globalization of businesses and financial markets means that organizations must manage international banking needs and risks. A course in international banking will introduce students to the major financial institutions and public policy issues around the world. Students may learn how current and historical events are reshaping countries, industries, and the globally interconnected financial sector. Students will be prepared to manage and minimize a financial institution’s exposure and susceptibility to:
- credit
- liquidity
- market risks
This involves:
- cryptocurrencies
- analytic techniques
- international stock
- foreign exchange rates
- global money markets
- currency and interest rate derivatives
4. Corporate Restructuring
This course covers the restructuring of financially failing or distressed organizations. It includes such issues as:
- legal
- strategic
- financial
- managerial
The class objective is to empower students with the necessary tools to mitigate losses and unplanned bankruptcy. These include:
- 363 auctions
- exchange offers
- turnaround management
- distressed asset sales
- out-of-court workouts
- pre-negotiated bankruptcies
- Chapter 11 reorganization
Teachers will explore specific legal, economic, and financial distress factors and how they impact the restructuring process. This course reviews the legal framework that governs bankruptcy and reorganization locally and internationally.
5. Financial Policy
Every MBA finance degree program provides future leaders with the knowledge of policies that are established by regulators, governments, and central banks to achieve:
- price
- interest
- financial stability and growth
This is illustrated through comparing official policy and requirements with actual:
- goals
- trends
- practices
After graduation, the student will understand the economic rationale and formulation processes for policy creation and adaptation. For example, class discussion may focus on the economic analysis and institutional framework of US banks compared with the European Central Bank.
Conclusion
An MBA in Finance degree program may also include classes on:
- macroeconomics
- economic environments
- asset management
- modern financial architecture
- securities (derivative & fixed income)
Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, graduates who become financial managers can look forward to making $60 an hour with a 19% career outlook growth. Completion of these keys courses can put a graduate student on the right path to this rewarding career.
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