The Top 10 Short Courses in Finance: Requirements and Costs

In today’s fast-paced world, upskilling is essential to stay competitive. For individuals looking to enhance their financial knowledge, finance short courses offer an excellent opportunity to gain specialized knowledge without the commitment of long-term degrees. Here’s a rundown of the top 10 finance short courses, their criteria for admission, and typical fees.

1. Financial Management (Coursera – University of Illinois)

  • Criteria: No prior finance experience required. Basic understanding of business concepts is beneficial.
  • Fees: Around $49/month (Coursera subscription model).
  • Key Points: Focuses on financial analysis, decision-making, and planning. Ideal for those seeking to understand corporate finance and strategy.

2. Investment Management (Harvard University – Harvard Online Learning)

  • Criteria: A bachelor’s degree is recommended but not mandatory. Basic knowledge of finance and investments is useful.
  • Fees: $1,800 for the 8-week course.
  • Key Points: Covers portfolio management, risk analysis, and the strategies behind asset allocation. Perfect for aspiring investment managers.

3. Financial Accounting (LinkedIn Learning)

  • Criteria: No prerequisites. Suitable for beginners.
  • Fees: Free for the first month with LinkedIn Premium subscription, thereafter $29.99/month.
  • Key Points: Offers a fundamental understanding of accounting principles and practices, with real-world applications for business.

4. Corporate Finance (edX – University of Michigan)

  • Criteria: No formal finance background needed. Basic understanding of business or economics is recommended.
  • Fees: Free for the course, $49 for a certificate.
  • Key Points: Provides insight into corporate finance, including risk management, capital budgeting, and financial statement analysis.

5. Certified Financial Planner (CFP Certification)

  • Criteria: A bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of professional experience in finance. Requires passing the CFP exam.
  • Fees: Approx. $2,000 for the entire course and exam.
  • Key Points: A well-recognized certification for those pursuing careers in financial planning, wealth management, or financial advisory roles.

6. Financial Modeling & Valuation (Udemy)

  • Criteria: No prior knowledge required. Suitable for beginners and intermediate learners.
  • Fees: Typically priced around $15 to $200 depending on the course sale.
  • Key Points: Focuses on building models to forecast financial performance, vital for investment analysts, consultants, and business analysts.

7. Cryptocurrency and Blockchain (University of Michigan on Coursera)

  • Criteria: No prerequisites, though a basic understanding of finance and technology is helpful.
  • Fees: $49/month subscription.
  • Key Points: A deep dive into cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and how these impact global finance and investment strategies.

8. Risk Management (NYU Tandon School of Engineering – Coursera)

  • Criteria: Open to all with no specific prerequisites. Some familiarity with business concepts helps.
  • Fees: $79 per month (Coursera subscription).
  • Key Points: Covers techniques for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks in finance, crucial for anyone pursuing a career in risk management or consulting.

9. Personal Finance (The University of California – Irvine Extension)

  • Criteria: No prerequisites. Suitable for individuals wanting to manage their own finances more effectively.
  • Fees: Around $695 for the full course.
  • Key Points: Focuses on budgeting, saving, investing, and retirement planning. A great option for personal financial literacy.

10. Fintech: Foundations & Applications (Wharton Online – University of Pennsylvania)

  • Criteria: No formal prerequisites, although prior experience in finance or technology is beneficial.
  • Fees: $3,800 for the entire 6-week course.
  • Key Points: Explores the intersection of technology and finance, covering topics like digital payments, blockchain, and data analytics in finance.