This is the first version of the 2025–26 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
The professional Certificate in Finance requires 12 s.h. of credit. Students must earn a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.75 in certificate coursework.
The certificate is open to individuals with a desire to build their financial knowledge and skills. It is also open to current Iowa MBA Program students. Students in the Iowa MBA Program may complete the certificate as they work toward their degree; the certificate is designed to fit into the MBA curriculum allowing students to earn the MBA and the certificate without additional coursework.
This certificate is ideal for students who wish to gain specialized knowledge of financial concepts. Students can select courses to focus their study in specific areas of finance such as corporate finance, investments, portfolio management, and wealth management.
Certificate courses are offered online and select courses may occasionally be offered in Des Moines at the John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center (JMPEC).
Not all courses listed are regularly offered. Students should consult MyUI for course availability and/or discuss course offerings with their advisor.
The Certificate in Finance requires the following coursework.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| MBA:8180 | Managerial Finance | 3 |
| FIN:9200 | Portfolio Management | 3 |
| FIN:9300 | Corporate Finance | 3 |
| One of these: | ||
| BAIS:6150 | Financial Analytics | 3 |
| ENTR:9200 | Entrepreneurial Finance | 3 |
| FIN:9010 | Contemporary Topics in Finance | 3 |
| FIN:9130 | Corporate Risk Management and Insurance | 3 |
| FIN:9140 | Enterprise Risk Management | 3 |
| FIN:9150 | Financial Modeling and Firm Valuation | 3 |
| FIN:9160 | Quantitative Finance and Deep Learning | 3 |
| FIN:9210 | Derivatives | 3 |
| FIN:9220 | Fixed Income Securities | 3 |
| FIN:9230 | Real Estate Finance and Investments | 3 |
| FIN:9240 | International Finance | 3 |
| FIN:9270 | Security Analysis | 3 |
| FIN:9290 | Alternative Investments and Portfolio Strategies | 3 |
| FIN:9310 | Corporate Financial Strategy | 3 |
| FIN:9350 | Wealth Management | 3 |
If MBA:8180 Managerial Finance is waived, it must be replaced with an approved course from the preceding list.
Certificate/Graduate Degrees
Students can pursue a professional Certificate in Finance concurrently with their graduate degree. A separate application to each degree program is required. Applicants must be admitted to both programs before they may be admitted to the combined degree program.
With graduate program approval, students may count up to 9 s.h. from the professional certificate toward their graduate degree.
With approval from the professional certificate program, students may count up to 3 s.h. from any graduate degree program toward their certificate.
Students should contact their degree program and the certificate program to work out combined program details.
Admission decisions are based upon completed application materials, including academic performance along with quality and quantity of work experience. For specific guidelines, view Certificate-Only Admissions on the Tippie College of Business website.
Applicants whose first language is not English must score at least 100 (internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or must have a successful admission interview. In place of the TOEFL, the certificate program accepts satisfactory International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores or a Duolingo score of 120 or higher. For more information, see English Requirements for MBA Admission on the University of Iowa Admissions website.
Applications are accepted throughout the year; admission is for summer, fall, or spring entry.