Course Catalog

Golden Gate University offers degree and certificate programs at three teaching centers and online.

NUMBER COURSE TITLE
FI 300
Corporate Finance

3 Unit(s)

Introduces the concept of financial analysis in management decision making. Explores the financial techniques in analyzing business health, risks and returns, and capital investment decisions. Introduces valuation models and their roles in financial and business decisions. Prerequisite(s): ACCTG 1A or BUS 202, and BUS 240. See Graduate Program Foundation Course Waivers for more information.

View Course Sections: Summer 2024 , Spring 2024 , Fall 2023

FI 305
Financial Reporting and Analysis

3 Unit(s)

Combines practical techniques of financial analysis with theoretical concepts underlying the presentation of financial statements. Students will improve their understanding of accounting as an information system that helps users make good business decisions. Topics include accounting principles; examination of the balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows; application of the various quantitative techniques such as ratio analysis, equity valuation methods; credit evaluation and performance measurement. Prerequisite: FI 300.

FI 307
Financial Modeling

3 Unit(s)

Presents the theory and practice of financial management with emphasizing computer-based modeling and forecasting. Uses spreadsheet and other software products to analyze the impact of financial decisions related to financial statement analysis, cash budgeting, cost of capital determination, capital budgeting and capital structure choices. The course covers a variety of techniques, such as sensitivity and scenario analysis, optimization methods, Monte Carlo simulation, regression and time-series analysis and neural network models. Prerequisite: FI 300.

View Course Sections: Summer 2024

FI 312
Capital Budgeting and Long-term Financing

3 Unit(s)

Analyzes capital budgeting and long-term financing decisions in depth. Topics include interaction of investment and financing decisions, project cash flow analysis, risk analysis, alternative valuation methods, capital structure theory and the selection of various financing methods. Prerequisite: FI 300.

View Course Sections: Fall 2023

FI 314
Working Capital Management

3 Unit(s)

Examines financial decisions that affect the value of the firm in the short run. Topics include receivables management, inventory management, marketable securities management, short-term liability management and cash management. Prerequisite: FI 300.

FI 315
Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis

3 Unit(s)

This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the financial planning and analysis (FP&A) process within a corporate setting. Students will learn to develop, interpret, and analyze financial information to make informed decisions that align with the organization's objectives. This course equips students with the tools and practical know-how to effectively and efficiently operate in an FP&A role while tying day-to-day work back to strategic thinking and seminal finance theory. The course also covers the strategic planning process, including the development of long-term financial plans and the evaluation of investment opportunities. This course prepares students for life in a corporate setting as part of a company's finance department. Prerequisite(s): FI 300.

View Course Sections: Spring 2024

FI 317
Mergers and Acquisitions

3 Unit(s)

Surveys the field of mergers and acquisitions using case studies. Topics include accounting for acquisitions, tax implications of mergers, legal aspects of mergers, the role of investment bankers in mergers, valuing business, merger negotiation, risk management, leveraged buyouts, tenders and defenses. Prerequisite: FI 300.

FI 318
Venture Capital and Start-Up Financing

3 Unit(s)

Examines the strategic and financial issues facing start-ups and venture capital investments. This course examines the entrepreneurial process, focusing on financing - how new ventures are funded, applying the perspective of both the venture seeking financing and investors considering how to identify and manage good opportunities. Topics covered include the history and current direction of the venture capital industry; alternative financing sources, notably venture capital and angel investors; business planning methods; screening new venture opportunities; valuation techniques; capital raising practices and methods; management of new ventures; and harvesting or exit strategies, including IPO's and mergers. Students will be able to attend investor forums, and guest lecturers will supplement the course content. Prerequisite: FI 300.

FI 320
Financial Strategy and Value Creation

3 Unit(s)

Demonstrates the use of competitive strategy to create shareholder value, industry attractiveness, firm-based resources and competitive advantage in a variety of settings, including technology-intensive and mature industries. Introduces the use of transaction cost economics and the capital-asset pricing model to analyze vertical integration, diversification and global strategies. Extensively uses case studies to build strategy development skills. Prerequisite: FI 300.

FI 340
Investments

3 Unit(s)

Presents the theory and practice of investment analysis. Topics include efficient market theory; risk and return analysis for stocks, bonds and cash equivalents; modern portfolio theory; asset pricing models; bond pricing and the term structure of interest rates; effects of taxes and inflation on investment choices; and derivative asset analysis and alternative investments. Prerequisite: FI 300.

View Course Sections: Fall 2023

FI 343
International Corporate Finance

3 Unit(s)

Surveys the international aspects of financial management. Topics include the international currency arrangement for the settlement of private and public transactions; the theory of international financial adjustments; functions of financial institutions including the Federal Reserve System, the Euro-currency market, IBRD and IMF; financing of trade including EXIM and FCIA and commercial banks; foreign-exchange markets; management of currency exposure; estimating country debt-servicing capacity; and external debt-financing problems. Prerequisite: FI 100 or FI 300A.

FI 344
Equity Analysis

3 Unit(s)

Presents the concepts and theory underlying equity analysis and a case-based practitioner's approach to Investing. Topics include understanding financial statements; income manipulations; common stock valuation techniques; industry analysis; company analysis; efficient market theory and its inefficiencies. Prerequisite: FI 340.

FI 346
Derivative Markets

3 Unit(s)

Introduces theory and practice in the forward, futures, swap and options markets. Topics include commodity derivatives, currency derivatives, stock options, stock index futures and options, interest rate derivatives, arbitrage strategies, Black-Scholes and Binomial option-pricing models and computer applications. Prerequisite: FI 300.

FI 347
Financial Engineering and Risk Management

3 Unit(s)

Covers risk management techniques for corporations and managers of equity, bond and derivative portfolios. Topics include measurement of corporate risk exposure, portfolio risk exposure and value at risk for financial institutions; hedging the price risk of commodities, exchange rates, interest rates and equity markets; credit risk management; portfolio insurance; portfolio immunization; synthetic assets; and computer applications. Prerequisite: FI 340. Corequisite FI 346.

View Course Sections: Spring 2024

FI 348
Fixed Income Analysis

3 Unit(s)

Presents advanced material on the principles and mechanics of bonds and bond investing. Topics include valuation of fixed income securities, and management of bond portfolios. Material covers types and characteristics of bonds, the term structure of interest rates, yields and yield spreads, measurement of duration and convexity, mortgage backed securities, and credit analysis. Prerequisite: FI 340

FI 350
Portfolio Management

3 Unit(s)

Applies theoretical principles of portfolio management to the allocation, management, and evaluation of diversified investment portfolios. Topics include: multi-asset diversification, hedge fund approach, use of leverage in both corporate and investment environments, risk factor analysis, performance evaluation, institutional investor classes and manager selection. Prerequisite: FI 340.

View Course Sections: Fall 2023

FI 352
Technical Analysis of Securities

3 Unit(s)

Examines empirical evidence concerning non-efficient markets in which technical analysis is thought to apply. Topics include trend analysis, turning-point analysis, charting techniques, volume and open interest indicators, contrary opinion theories and technical theories such as Dow theory and Elliott waves. Prerequisite: FI 100 or FI 300A.

View Course Sections: Fall 2023

FI 354
Wyckoff Method I

3 Unit(s)

Studies the Richard D. Wyckoff method a complete, time-tested and effective approach to market analysis and trading. The action sequence is a unique active-learning way to acquire the skills and judgment needed to apply the Wyckoff method. Prerequisite: FI 352 or consent of department.

FI 355
Wyckoff Method II

3 Unit(s)

Continues the study of the Richard D. Wyckoff method, a complete, time-tested and effective approach to market analysis and trading. The action sequence is a unique active-learning way to acquire the skills and judgment needed to apply the Wyckoff method. Prerequisite: FI 352 and FI 354, or consent of department.

FI 356
Student Managed Investment Fund

3 Unit(s)

The purpose of this course is to provide students with real world and hands-on experience in portfolio management and security analysis through the management of the Golden Gate University Student Managed Investment Fund. Students will demonstrate their ability to apply analytical financial concepts and techniques through fund management, macroeconomic sector research, and company-specific equity research. Students will also practice their skills in teamwork and public speaking. This course may be taken two times for credit. Prerequisite: FI 340 or FI 421.

FI 358
Technical Market Analysis Strategies

3 Unit(s)

Provides advanced studies in technical analysis and trading. Money management, investor psychology and technical analysis elements are considered. Focuses upon development of a trading plan. Prerequisite: FI 352 or consent of the department.

View Course Sections: Spring 2024

FI 360
Behavioral Finance

3 Unit(s)

(Formerly FI 498P) Introduces the theories developed by research into cognitive biases, investor emotions and herd effects. Explores the applications of these theories in corporate finance and investment management and suggests approaches through which sophisticated investors can exploit the opportunities created by non-rational investors. Traditional (or standard) finance builds its theories on the presumption that assets are valued in modern financial markets through the buy-and-sell decisions of rational, profit-maximizing investors. An accumulating body of research challenges this fundamental presumption, suggesting instead that investment decisions are motivated by a complex array of non-rational psychological factors.

FI 382
Bank and Thrift Management I

3 Unit(s)

Analyzes the management of the operations of banks, savings and loans, credit unions and other lending institutions. Topics include the banking industry, firm organizational structure, the legal and regulatory environment, performance analysis, services and financial statements, constraints on management decisions and marketing strategies. Prerequisite: FI 100 or FI 300A.

FI 420
Personal Financial Planning

3 Unit(s)

In this course, students will explore various aspects of personal financial planning, including budgeting, financial statement analysis, time-value-of-money calculations, insurance options, social security benefits, house-buying strategies, and investment, retirement, income tax, estate planning and career opportunities. Students will complete a personal financial plan that covers these topics. This course also fulfills part of the educational requirements needed to sit for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and the Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) examinations.

View Course Sections: Summer 2024 , Spring 2024 , Fall 2023

FI 421
Personal Investment Management

3 Unit(s)

Investigates the investment process from the perspective of a financial planner or investment advisor advising individuals and families. This course will cover basic concepts related to financial market theory, including market efficiency, portfolio theory and optimization, asset pricing models, and stock and bond valuation techniques. The nature and use of mutual funds and ETFs, and tax-efficient investing, including asset location concepts, will also be explored. Significant time will be devoted to understanding investor behavior, client communication, relationship management, risk profiling, and the development and use of investment policies. Satisfies part of the educational requirements to sit for the CFP examination.

View Course Sections: Spring 2024 , Fall 2023

FI 422
Retirement & Employee Benefits Planning

3 Unit(s)

Covers strategies used by financial planners to help clients assess employee benefits and to reduce the tax burden while planning for retirement. Topics include retirement needs analysis; defined benefit and contribution plans; profit sharing; 401k; 403b; ESOP; IRA; SEP-IRA; Roth-IRA; Keogh; TSA; social security benefits and integration; vesting; employee benefits analysis; funding vehicles; plan installation and administration; asset balancing; buy-sell agreements, ERISA; stock redemption and cross-purchase plans; evaluation of retirement timing; life-cycle planning; retirement lifestyle issues; distribution planning; and post-retirement financial and qualitative assessment of needs. Satisfies part of the educational requirements to sit for the CFP examination. Corequisite: FI 420, or FI 160, or FI 425, or ACCTG 108A, or consent of department.

View Course Sections: Summer 2024

FI 424
Facilitating Financial Health

3 Unit(s)

Presents a new model to help clients achieve balanced and healthy financial lives. Integrated financial planning brings together the fields of psychotherapy, coaching and financial planning. It enables students to go beyond the traditional boundaries of financial planning to help clients build healthy relationships with money, to explore the roots of destructive financial behaviors, and to develop specific techniques to support constructive change. Corequisite: FI 420

View Course Sections: Summer 2024

FI 425
Income Tax Planning

3 Unit(s)

Strategies used by financial planners to help clients achieve greater tax efficiency. Topics include income tax concepts and calculations, income tax research methods, gross income realization, exclusions and deductions, passive activities, alternative minimum tax, tax considerations of business forms, taxable and non-taxable property transactions, compensation planning, family tax planning, audit risk and dealing with the IRS. Satisfies part of the requirements to sit for the CFP examination. Prerequisite: FI 420 or FI 160.

View Course Sections: Fall 2023

FI 426
Estate Planning

3 Unit(s)

Introduces estate planning tools and strategies to assist a client in developing, maintaining and transferring his/her wealth consistent with objectives. Topics include professional role differentiation between financial advisers, CPAs, and estate-planning attorneys; writing disclaimers in a financial plan; gift and estate taxation; ownership of personal and real property issues; wills; letter of last instructions; trusts; trustees/personal representatives and their fiduciary responsibilities; probate strategies; implications for individuals; general/limited partnerships; closely held businesses; corporations; life insurance funding; post-mortem planning; creative estate planning strategies consistent with client goals and values; charitable giving strategies; California estate planning issues; and how to implement and monitor the estate plan. Satisfies part of the educational requirements to sit for the CFP examination. Prerequisite: FI 420.

View Course Sections: Spring 2024 , Fall 2023

FI 428
Business Valuation

3 Unit(s)

Examines closely held companies, not publicly traded firms, for applications including mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; raising capital and the venture capital model; capital structure and the cost of capital; performance planning and appraisal; real options pricing; and special industry analyses. A commonly stated objective for business managers is to add value to their companies or enterprises; this course covers the major topics for business valuations, analytical methods such as financial statement analysis; cash-flow and comparable company valuation methods; research techniques for obtaining information; and owners' interests. Prerequisite: FI 300.

View Course Sections: Spring 2024

FI 430
Business Development in Financial Services

3 Unit(s)

Effective 3/20/12 Presents an overview of the different methods and skill sets needed to develop a financial services practice by developing and maintaining client relationships. Running an efficient practice will have a direct impact on the success of your marketing and business development efforts, as well as on the profitability and long-term value of your firm. This course exposes students to the various tools and methodologies used by best in-class practitioners. In addition, students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with some of the platforms currently used throughout the industry. Industry leaders and practitioners will join as guest speakers throughout the term. Topics include an overview of the current environment and the issues surrounding establishing a practice; a review of the personal tools needed in business development; the advantages and disadvantages of the various methods of attracting new business; how to differentiate a business from other financial planners; how to develop trust with prospective clients; how to create a brand message; using the internet and other direct marketing tools; using the media and public relations; developing and implementing a budget and a plan; other marketing options including seminars, speeches, products, etc.

FI 434
Cases in Financial Planning

3 Unit(s)

Uses case studies that apply financial planning principles to strategic personal wealth management for advising clients in the comprehensive financial and estate-planning approach. Topics include: integrating and balancing client needs with financial products and strategies, update on taxation and new financial products, writing a comprehensive financial plan, presenting the plan, implementing the plan, providing periodic review, professional literature and resources, qualitative client factors and analysis, financial counseling techniques, and computer resources. Prerequisite: FI 420 , FI 421, FI 422, FI 425, FI 426 and FI 483.

View Course Sections: Spring 2024 , Fall 2023

FI 448
Introduction to Financial Life Planning

3 Unit(s)

Presents a context for the concentration in Financial Life Planning. Financial Life Planning offers a holistic and humanistic approach to financial planning that encourages students to consider the clients themselves "beyond the numbers" to create greater potential for financial well-being, life satisfaction, self-awareness and resiliency. Students are introduced to an expanded perspective of the breadth and depth of financial planning that includes investigation into the key theories, research, tools and processes applied within the field. The course draws from principles of behavioral economics, theories of adult learning, psychology and coaching.

View Course Sections: Fall 2023

FI 449
Coaching Skills for Financial Planners

3 Unit(s)

Financial professionals often find that clients are very motivated during the planning process yet do not follow through on implementing the plan once it is developed. Coaching skills can improve our client communication and support collaborative implementation of financial plans. Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to (1) identify and summarize the essential components of coaching and understand the role of coaching skills in financial planning; (2) develop a personal process for integrating coaching skills into their existing engagements; and (3) understand the basic coaching skills and utilize them in a coaching session.

View Course Sections: Spring 2024

FI 450
Practicum in Financial Planning

3 Unit(s)

Through this practicum, students will learn to work with clients in determining their needs and developing appropriate financial planning recommendations. It is designed to help them make the transition from the learning phase of their career to the actual practice of financial planning. At the heart of this process is an opportunity to work with experienced mentors as students develop a comprehensive financial plan for a real client. And while classroom time will include lectures, expert panels and guest speakers, significant time will also be devoted to role-playing exercises and critiques intended to prepare students for their client discovery and plan presentation meetings. Prerequisite: FI 420, FI 421, FI 422, FI 425, FI 426, FI 483. Alternatively, completion of a course of study that qualifies the student to sit for the CFP Board's comprehensive exam, or passage of the CFP exam, with the consent of the program director.

FI 460
Real Estate

3 Unit(s)

Analyzes real estate concepts and presents an overview of the industry. Topics include the nature of real estate assets as distinct from non-real-estate assets; the institutions, market forces and regulatory groups that affect real estate; the terminology and language used in connection with the conversion of land from non-urban to urban use; examination of activities and functions of those engaged in developing, building, appraising, financing, marketing, leasing and planning; and their interrelationships. This course fulfills part of the educational requirements of the California Department of Real Estate for salesperson and broker licensing, contact the DRE for more information. Prerequisite: FI 100 or FI 300A.

FI 463
Real Estate Finance and Investment

3 Unit(s)

Presents an analytical and applications approach to real estate finance and investment. Topics include real estate markets and institutions, real estate project analysis, conventional and creative financing, governmental and tax-related issues, real estate investment products, yield analysis and decision models. This course fulfills part of the educational requirements of the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) for salesperson and broker licensing. Contact the DRE for more information. Prerequisite: FI 100 or FI 300A.

FI 483
Risk Management and Insurance Planning

3 Unit(s)

Explores personal risk analysis and insurance planning in the context of personal financial planning. Topics include career issues; contractual and agency legal issues; insurance distribution systems (including Internet); evaluating insurers; personal risk assessment; risk strategies; alternative risk transfer approaches; life insurance programming and product analysis; key-person insurance; business continuation applications; life insurance use in income & estate tax planning; applicability of other insurance products (e.g., health, disability, general liability, property and casualty); HMOs, group insurance plans; workers compensation; relevant aspects of social security; negligence issues; errors & omissions policies; & professional ethics. Satisfies part of the educational requirements to sit for the CFP examination. Corequisite: FI 420 (or FI 160) or consent of department.

View Course Sections: Summer 2024 , Spring 2024

FI 497
Internship: Finance

3 Unit(s)

Offers students the opportunity to receive graduate-level work experience in a job directly related to their academic major and career goals. Students are responsible for your own placement in an internship approved by the department chair. A written internship proposal is required before consideration for this course. A written report is required upon completion of the internship. Prerequisite: Consent of the department.

View Course Sections: Summer 2024 , Spring 2024 , Fall 2023

FI 498
Selected Topics in Finance

13 Unit(s)

Address significant, topical and practical problems, issues and theories in finance. Topics are compiled and selected by the department chair. This course may be taken more than once, provided the same topic is not repeated. Prerequisite: FI 300.Other prerequisites will vary based on topic.

FI 498AB
Equity Research

3 Unit(s)

The purpose of this course is to endow the student with analytic, valuation, report writing, and presentation skills. The course comprises analysis of a publicly traded company as performed by a professional research analyst, writing a research report, and presentation of research to a panel of experts as well as fellow classmates. The sole purpose for this endeavor is to make an analyst's recommendation regarding whether to buy, sell or hold a stock. Students will also learn how to evaluate portfolio performance for presentation to the clients.

FI 498AR
Evaluating Research: Understanding and Using Applied Research in Your Practice

1 Unit(s)

The objective of this course is to help you become a better consumer of research-based literature. You will learn to better recognize research-based writing when you see it, hone your ability to critically evaluate that research, and develop policies for determining when and how to incorporate new findings into your work with clients.

FI 498ET
Business Ethics and Corporate Standards

3 Unit(s)

Explores how to succeed in the corporate environment and the broader financial markets by building one's "ethical muscle" through lively case discussions and classroom activities. Focuses on learning frameworks and experimenting with how to anticipate, identify, critically analyze and resolve ethical dilemmas that will ultimately arise throughout one's professional career as a leader, manager and direct report. Covers all topics necessary to prepare students for the business ethics segment of the CFA exam.

FI 499
Directed Study in Finance

13 Unit(s)

Provides an opportunity for the advanced student with a specific project in mind to do reading in a focused area and to prepare a substantial paper under the direction of a faculty member. Only one directed study course may be taken for credit toward a masters degree. Prerequisite: FI 300; consent of the instructor and the department.

FI 100
Financial Management

3 Unit(s)

Introduces financial analysis and management in terms of its most important functions: raising funds at minimum cost and risk and allocating those funds among competing short- and long-term uses. Topics include financial statement analysis, discounted cash flow analysis, financial markets and interest rate determination, stock and bond valuation models, capital budgeting methodologies and working capital management. Concepts of risk and return, cost of capital calculation and capital structure are introduced. Prerequisite: ACCTG 1A and MATH 20 or MATH 30.

View Course Sections: Summer 2024 , Spring 2024 , Fall 2023

FI 101
Strategic Decisions in Financing and Investing

3 Unit(s)

Expands and completes the discussion of issues raised in Finance 100 and extends the examination of the field of finance to include such important areas as dividend policy, leasing, mergers and acquisitions. Case analysis is used extensively. Prerequisite: FI 100.

FI 102
Financial Analysis

3 Unit(s)

Introduces tools for an applied approach to the analysis of financial problems. Topics include funds flows, ratio analysis, cash-flow budgets and projections, and financial and operating leverage models. Includes identification of sources of financial information. Prerequisite: FI 100.

FI 105
Modeling for Financial Analysis

3 Unit(s)

Presents the techniques of financial analysis and modeling using electronic spreadsheet tools. Includes basic operations such as organizing spreadsheets, entering numbers and text, performing calculations, using financial commands, creating charts, embedding spreadsheets in word processing documents, file management, etc. It emphasizes advanced spreadsheet methods for doing sensitivity analysis, breakeven ratio analysis, capital budgeting, sales forecasting, funds forecasting, cash budgeting, cash flow and financial ratio analysis, and capital structure analysis. This is a hands-on course that develops spreadsheet skills and shows how to use the results to make better financial decisions. It highlights the use of spreadsheets for communicating as well as calculating. Prerequisite: FI 100.

FI 120
Investments

3 Unit(s)

Introduces the theory of portfolio analysis and the characteristics of various investment instruments with a focus on securities investment analysis, with some consideration of other investment forms. Topics include sources of investment information, risk/return analysis, money-market investments, measuring investment performance. Satisfies part of the educational requirements to sit for the CFP examination. Prerequisite: FI 100.

View Course Sections: Spring 2024

FI 141
International Banking and Finance

3 Unit(s)

Surveys operational aspects of international banking. Topics include financing international operations, sources of capital, the foreign-exchange market, transaction and translation risks, international financial institutions (including the Euro-currency market), international collections, lending policies, government regulations, services available to the global manager. Prerequisite: FI 100.

View Course Sections: Fall 2023

FI 160
Personal Financial Planning

3 Unit(s)

In this course, students will explore various aspects of personal financial planning, including budgeting, financial statement analysis, time-value-of-money calculations, insurance options, social security benefits, house-buying strategies, and investment, retirement, income tax, estate planning and career opportunities. Students will complete a personal financial plan that covers these topics. This course also fulfills part of the educational requirements needed to sit for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and the Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) examinations.

View Course Sections: Summer 2024 , Spring 2024

FI 197
Internship: Finance

3 Unit(s)

Offers students the opportunity to receive work experience in a job directly related to their academic major and career goals. Students will be responsible for their own placement in an internship approved by the department chair. A written internship proposal is required before consideration for this course. A written report is required upon completion of the internship. Prerequisite: Consent of the department.

FI 198
Special Topics in Finance

3 Unit(s)

Address significant, topical and practical problems, issues and theories in finance. Topics will be selected by the department chair. This course may be taken more than once, provided the same topic is not repeated. Prerequisite: Consent of the department chair. Prerequisites will vary based on topic.

FI 199
Directed Study in Finance

13 Unit(s)

Provides individual study of selected topics under supervision of a faculty member. Students are limited to one directed study course per trimester. Prerequisite: Consent of the department.