Program Overview

Introduction to the Analytic Finance Academy

The Analytic Finance Academy (AFA) is an accelerated track within the Finance major, designed for highly motivated students seeking an exceptional Finance education. As an AFA student, you will have the AFA designation appear on your transcripts, signaling to employers, graduate programs, and others that you have completed this intensive and rewarding program within the major.

Program Overview

The AFA curriculum begins with three specialized, required Finance courses that cover topics in more depth and incorporate more extensive data analysis. Following completion of these courses, students have the opportunity to take at least six, but up to 12, credit hours of Master’s level electives. In total, AFA students will take at least 12 credit hours of Finance courses that deliver an educational experience providing greater depth, breadth, and data analysis than the traditional undergraduate track, all with similarly motivated peers.

Admission Criteria

Students must apply for AFA admission, with the main criteria being their overall academic record in more challenging, technical courses. Students may apply before or after taking Business Finance (those who took FIN3080C must have an A or A-). Students must apply before taking any 4000-level FIN courses.

Admission Options

For those admitted to the college as freshmen prior to fall 2017 or transfers to the college before spring 2018, there are two options for admission to the AFA:

• 21-credit hour AFA: Meet all of the requirements of the AFA and complete the 21 credit-hour Finance major. This option is not labeled as a sub-plan in Catalyst and thus will not appear on your transcripts.
• 24-credit-hour AFA: Meet all of the requirements of the AFA and complete the new 24-credit hour Finance major. This is labeled as a sub-plan in Catalyst (FIN-AFA) and will appear on your transcripts.

Those admitted to the college as freshmen in fall 2017 or later, or transfers to the college in spring 2018 or later, must complete the 24-credit hour Finance major.

Enrollment Timeline

Students are admitted to the AFA on a rolling basis and may apply at any time. However, the priority enrollment timeline ensures that enrollment restrictions will be removed:

• Admission for fall or summer semester: March 1
• Admission for spring semester: October 1

Admission after the dates above is possible but will require manual lifting of restrictions.

Minimum AFA Completion Requirements

• Receive a B or better in FIN 4101 and FIN 4111
• Pass at least six credit hours of FIN 50XY courses (students are eligible to take up to 12 hours)

Curriculum

The AFA curriculum includes:

• FIN 3180 AFA Business Finance (instead of the traditional FIN 3080C)
• FIN 4101 AFA Corporate Finance (instead of the traditional FIN 4001)
• FIN 4111 AFA Investments (instead of the traditional FIN 4011)
• The opportunity to take up to 12 credit hours of 7000-level FIN electives (AFA students will actually register for the 50XY analog of the 70XY course)

These courses are designed to provide a deeper understanding of finance and prepare students for careers in the more analytical sectors of the finance industry. The AFA is open to all accomplished and motivated students, not just honors students. The department emphasizes that the AFA is a challenging and enriching program that provides students with a unique educational experience.