Analytic Finance Academy

The Analytic Finance Academy (AFA) is an accelerated track within the Finance major composed of smaller classes of highly motivated peers looking for an exceptional Finance education. As an AFA student, you will have the AFA designation appear on your transcripts, signaling to employers, graduate programs, etc., that you have completed this intensive and rewarding program within the major.

The curriculum begins with three specialized, required Finance courses that, because of the mix of students in the classroom, will be able to cover topics in more depth and incorporate more extensive data analysis. Following completion of these courses is 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 will deliver an educational experience that provides greater depth, breadth and data analysis than the traditional undergraduate track, all with similarly motivated peers.

All students that are seeking a challenging and enriching Finance education, particularly those planning to work in the more analytical sectors of the Finance industry (e.g., Investment Banking, Portfolio Management, Credit Analysis, etc) are encouraged to apply. The department wants to emphasize that the AFA is open to all (not just honors students) accomplished and motivated students.

For further information about the AFA, please contact program director, Professor Colin Campbell.

Students must apply for AFA admission. The main criteria for admission to the AFA is overall academic record in the 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.

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 (detailed below) 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.

To apply to the AFA, email program director Colin Campbell and include the following information:

• Your name and M number;
• Which AFA plan you're applying for, the 21-hour program (not on transcrripts) or the 24-hour program (on transcripts);
• Brief statement of interest in the AFA.

Students are admitted to the AFA on a rolling basis and may apply at any time. However, the priority enrollment timeline (details below) ensure that enrollment restrictions will be removed from Catalyst.

• 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 in Catalyst.

• 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)

FIN 3180 AFA Business Finance (instead of the traditional FIN 3080C)

• Open in Catalyst to all LHP, KBS, and CoE students
• Open in Catalyst to all students admitted to the 24-credit hour AFA track
• Open to others by permission of Professor Campbell

FIN 4101 AFA Corporate Finance (instead of the traditional FIN 4001)

• Open in Catalyst to all students admitted to the 24-credit hour AFA track
• Those in the 21-credit hour AFA will need permission from Professor Campbell

FIN 4111 AFA Investments (instead of the traditional FIN 4011)

• Open in Catalyst to all students admitted to the 24-credit hour AFA track
• Those in the 21-credit hour AFA will need permission from Professor Campbell

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, since undergrads cannot register for 7000-level courses)

• Open in Catalyst to all students admitted to the 24-credit hour AFA track
• Those in the 21-credit hour AFA will need permission from Professor Campbell