Specializations - Security Analysis & Portfolio Management
The Security Analysis and Portfolio Management specialization prepares students for careers in investment management, equity research, credit analysis, and related fields. The program equips students with advanced analytical frameworks and quantitative modeling techniques to value securities across asset classes and construct optimal investment portfolios.
Career Opportunities
Graduates are well-positioned for roles such as equity/credit analyst, portfolio manager, risk analyst, securities trader, and quantitative strategist at buy-side firms (mutual funds, hedge funds, pension funds), sell-side institutions (investment banks), and private equity/venture capital firms. The program develops a distinct competitive edge for those pursuing investment management careers.
Curriculum
The curriculum blends financial theory with practical applications through case studies, simulations, and applied projects. Students gain expertise in financial modeling, sensitivity analysis, trading strategies, and portfolio analytics tools used by investment professionals.
It is recommended that at least 12 elective credits with the FINA course designation be completed for a finance specialization. The following courses are recommended for a Security Analysis & Portfolio Management specialization:
8 credits from the following:
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FINA 6121 | Debt Markets, Interest Rates, and Hedging | 2 |
| FINA 6321 | Portfolio Analysis and Management | 2 |
| FINA 6322 | Financial Modeling | 2 |
| FINA 6323 | Advanced Financial Modeling | 2 |
And at least 4 credits from:
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FINA 6111 | Financing over a Firm’s Life Cycle | 1 |
| FINA 6114 | Private & Public Equity Financing Course equivalent to FINA 6112 and FINA 6113 | 2 |
| FINA 6212 | Working Capital Management | 1 |
| FINA 6213 | Financial Capital Structure | 1 |
| FINA 6214 | Business Valuation | 1 |
| FINA 6222 | Mergers and Acquisitions | 2 |
| FINA 6325 | Behavioral Finance | 2 |
| FINA 6511 | Options for Corporate Finance | 1 |
| FINA 6611 | Finance for Multinationals | 1 |
| FINA 6623 | Economic Booms & Busts | 2 |
| FINA 6224 | Growth in the Global Economy | 2 |
Additionally, we recommend students pursuing a finance specialization consider incorporating interdisciplinary courses to obtain a well-rounded business foundation. The following courses are suggested as complementary to a finance specialization.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 6102 | Financial Statement Analysis | 2 |
| ENTR 6023 | Financing Business Ventures | 2 |
| ENTR 6037 | Corporate Venturing | 2 |
| MGMT 6004 | Negotiation Strategies | 2 |
| MGMT 6085 | Corporate Strategy | 4 |
| MKTG 6075 | Pricing Strategy | 4 |
| MKTG 6088 | Strategic Marketing | 3 |
It is recommended that at least 12 elective credits with the FINA course designation be completed for a finance specialization. The following courses are recommended for a Security Analysis & Portfolio Management specialization:
8 credits from the following:
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FINA 6121 | Debt Markets, Interest Rates, and Hedging | 2 |
| FINA 6321 | Portfolio Analysis and Management | 2 |
| FINA 6322 | Financial Modeling | 2 |
| FINA 6323 | Advanced Financial Modeling | 2 |
And at least 4 credits from:
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FINA 6111 | Financing over a Firm’s Life Cycle | 1 |
| FINA 6114 | Private & Public Equity Financing Course equivalent to FINA 6112 and FINA 6113 | 2 |
| FINA 6212 | Working Capital Management | 1 |
| FINA 6213 | Financial Capital Structure | 1 |
| FINA 6214 | Business Valuation | 1 |
| FINA 6222 | Mergers and Acquisitions | 2 |
| FINA 6325 | Behavioral Finance | 2 |
| FINA 6511 | Options for Corporate Finance | 1 |
| FINA 6611 | Finance for Multinationals | 1 |
| FINA 6623 | Economic Booms & Busts | 2 |
| FINA 6224 | Growth in the Global Economy | 2 |
Additionally, we recommend students pursuing a finance specialization consider incorporating interdisciplinary courses to obtain a well-rounded business foundation. The following courses are suggested as complementary to a finance specialization.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 6102 | Financial Statement Analysis | 2 |
| ENTR 6023 | Financing Business Ventures | 2 |
| ENTR 6037 | Corporate Venturing | 2 |
| MGMT 6004 | Negotiation Strategies | 2 |
| MGMT 6085 | Corporate Strategy | 4 |
| MKTG 6075 | Pricing Strategy | 4 |
| MKTG 6088 | Strategic Marketing | 3 |
Please note: not all courses listed above are offered every semester. Verify each semester’s course offerings in the MyU Class Search tool.