Finance
Majors and Minors
Major Minor In-Seat Online
Courses
The course will focus on the basic principles and concepts of finance and financial management and their applications in the corporate and investment worlds. Students will build on their knowledge of accounting and economics to develop an understanding of the basic techniques used by finance industry and investment professions. Topics of analysis include financial markets and their importance, time value of money and its practical applications, stock, bond, and private company valuation concepts, financial statement and ratio analysis, corporate finance and capital structure concepts, and a heavy emphasis on current financial and market news flow as it relates to the usefulness of a basic understanding of all of the above.
The course will focus on the basic principles and concepts of the role of Finance within various types of business entities. Students will build on their knowledge of accounting, economics, and managerial finance to develop an understanding of the fundamentals and theories that inform decision making by financial professionals. Students will study the critical role of the financial management team (Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Controller, associated staff) within a corporation along with the distinctions among various types of firms (sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, corporations, non-profits, etc.). Topics of analysis will include decision making based on the fundamental valuation of projects or investments, capital structure and long-term financing principles, the cost of capital, capital budgeting and forecasting, corporate governance, financial statement trend and ratio analysis, time value of money as it relates to valuing a stream of cash flows using the techniques of IRR and NPV, stock, bond, and private company valuation concepts, market forces that impact interest rates, the role of capital markets and their impact on the corporation, and a heavy emphasis on current financial and market news flow as it relates to the usefulness of a basic understanding of all of the above.
This course will focus on the principles of securities and corporate valuation with an emphasis on proforma financial modeling techniques to support decision making. Students will build on their knowledge of the role of the financial manager, investment concepts including securities analysis, discounted cash flow analysis, asset class identification, and financial statement analysis, to develop dynamic-scenario models aimed at valuing public and private companies, projects and ventures, stocks, bonds, and other assets classes, merger and acquisition scenarios, and business start-ups. The approaches will simulate the valuation work typically done by finance industry professionals including securities analysts, asset and portfolio managers, investment bankers, private equity and debt investors, and entrepreneurs.
This course is designed to help organizations make informed business and financial decisions. These foundational skills will introduce you to spreadsheet models, modeling techniques, and common applications for investment analysis, company valuation, forecasting, and more. They will provide you with the opportunity to learn core quantitative skills required to analyze data. This course will equip students with the ability to use their own data to describe realities, build scenarios, and predict performance.
The course will focus on the basic principles and elements of Investments through the study of individual security analysis and valuation, investment vehicle and asset class analysis, and portfolio management. Course content across these concepts will involve a review of the major Investment markets and their participants and importance in the US and globally – equity, fixed-income, derivatives, commodities, money market, real estate, currency (including crypto), alternative, and other markets. Topics of study will also include asset allocation and diversification fundamentals, trading strategies, performance presentation standards, statistical risk and return measures, active vs. passive investment approaches, personal wealth management, company research techniques, and an investment simulation module. Students will build on their knowledge of basic finance, accounting, and economics to develop an understanding of the techniques used by asset management, investment banking, private equity, and other investment professionals.
The course will focus on the financial and business elements of the equine industry. Students will build on their knowledge of the basic principles of finance and the lifecycle of performance equine athletes to develop an understanding of costs, revenues, and corporate and investment structures prevalent within the US and international equine industries. Topics of study will include the financial realities of racehorse and sport horse breeding, ownership, and in-competition training; the economics of nursery farm and training center operations, consignment and auction companies and markets, racetrack and sport horse venue operations, and aftercare entities; and the investment structures of racehorse and sport horse partnerships, syndicates, and LLCs and standard stallion and breeding stock syndication methods. Additional areas of concentration will incorporate federal and state level regulations and incentive programs, the taxation treatment of various equine endeavors, and the financial motivations of bloodstock agents and other intermediaries within a range of equine investment processes. The course will emphasize current trends and best practices in the industry while integrating a network of active industry participants in the central Kentucky region and elsewhere
The course provides an overview of financial markets and Financial Institutions (FIs). It will describe and evaluate the special functions of Financial Institutions and how they benefit today's economy. Emphasis will be put on a deep dive into the operations of commercial banks, their important role in the monetary system and monetary policy, and the evolving regulations that guide their activities. Further study will include a review of additional Financial Institutions including investment banks, investment companies, lending institutions, pension funds, insurance companies, the shadow banking system of repurchase agreements and Eurodollars, and fintech firms. The course will also present an overview of various securities markets, their participants, and the instruments traded in each. Topics of study will include stock markets, bond markets, money markets, mortgage markets, foreign exchange markets, and derivative securities markets. Attention will be given to developing skills for navigating a successful career path within the financial services industry.
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles and concepts of finance and financial management, and their applications in the corporate and investment worlds. Students will develop an understanding of the analytical tools used by finance professionals, including time value of money, valuation, and financial statement analysis. Topics include financial markets and institutions, risk and return, corporate capital structures, and the role of current financial news in decision-making. Emphasis is placed on applying theory to practice through analysis of market data, case studies, and problem-solving exercises.
This course provides an introduction to the principles, practices, and analytical tools used in real estate investment and finance. Building on the basic finance principles of risk versus reward, students explore property types-including residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial real estate-along with market dynamics, valuation techniques, and key financial considerations. Emphasis is placed on understanding financing mechanisms, investment analysis, zoning and land-use regulations, and the broader regulatory environment governing property transactions. Through community-based projects and applied learning experiences, students connect real estate theory to practice while developing foundational knowledge relevant to early-career opportunities in real estate development and investment, appraisal, brokerage, and mortgage finance.
This course surveys fast-evolving areas of finance and their implications for markets, institutions, and early-career opportunities. Rotating topics may include financial technology and AI applications, digital assets and blockchain, private credit and alternative investments, market microstructure and trading analytics, and regulatory developments. The course prioritizes yet-unknown future topics, adapting each term to analyze the most consequential developments as they emerge. Emphasis is placed on connecting core finance principles to new tools, data, and practices through practitioner readings, policy updates, and applied learning alongside regional partners or alumni. Students develop the agility to interpret new trends, assess their economic significance, and communicate clear recommendations to stakeholders.
The Finance Capstone serves as the culminating experience for finance majors, integrating knowledge and skills developed throughout the program. Students apply financial theory, analytical tools, and ethical decision-making frameworks to solve complex, real-world financial problems. Working individually and in teams, students conduct comprehensive financial analyses, develop investment and corporate finance strategies, and present their findings to faculty and industry professionals. The course emphasizes strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, and professional communication to prepare students for success in finance careers or graduate study.
This course explores the principles and practices of international financial management with emphasis on global financial markets, exchange rate systems, and cross-border capital flows. Students examine how multinational corporations, investors, and governments interact within the international monetary environment. Topics include currency markets, foreign exchange risk management, international banking, trade finance, and global investment strategies. Through applied exercises and regional market explorations, students gain practical insight into the opportunities and challenges of operating in the global financial system while identifying potential career paths in international finance, banking, and economic policy.