University Certificate in Finance

Regulations effective Sep. 1, 2024.

The University Certificate in Finance program provides students with the skills and knowledge appropriate for financial services professionals. The program has been designed so that, through careful selection of options, students may complete the major portion of the training required by various professional financial services associations. All credit earned in the UC: Finance program can be transferred into the Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Management programs at Athabasca University.

Athabasca University has developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.

Planning your program

Our online program plans can assist you in selecting the courses needed to fulfill your program requirements.

Counselling Services offers an assessment website, Mapping Your Future.

Athabasca University has also developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.

Program requirements

Students complete the program regulations in effect at th time of their enrolment.

The following general regulations apply to all certificate programs.

University certificate programs provide interim qualifications in specific subject areas. Athabasca University has developed individual program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.

Fifty per cent* of the total credits required must be completed through Athabasca University. Up to 50 per cent of the required credits may be transferred from another post-secondary institution.
* Some certificate programs require less than 50 per cent, e.g., University Certificate in Counselling Women.
University certificate credentials are awarded throughout the year. Students must submit an Application for Graduation Form to the Office of the Registrar (see Graduation).
Students with less than 50 per cent of coursework completed in their current Athabasca University degree program may withdraw from their degree and apply into a university certificate program. Credit will be awarded (from the previous incomplete degree program) to the extent permissible under the applicable program regulations in effect at the time of the change of credential.
Students with 50 per cent of coursework completed in their current Athabasca University degree program are encouraged to consult with a student advisor before changing programs.
Students who change their program of study from an Athabasca University degree program to a university certificate program forfeit their standing in the degree program. If students wish to return to the degree program (after being enrolled in the university certificate program) they will be required to meet the degree requirements in effect at the time of re-enrolment (see Changing Programs) to the degree.
Students who have completed a previous credential (degree, certificate, or diploma) from Athabasca University or another institution must complete a minimum of 50 per cent of the credits in course work not previously used towards any credential.
Students who have a previous credential in the same subject area as the certificate cannot enrol in the certificate.
Students who have completed the former University Certificate in Labour Relations or the University Certificate in Labour Studies may not enrol in the University Certificate in Human Resources and Labour Relations.

Program structure

program structure
Total credits in the program	30
Required credits	21
Finance Major Elective credits	6
Option credits	3
Residency requirement. A minimum of 15 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University	15
Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) credits	6

Required courses

(21 credits)

required courses
ACCT 250 – Accounting for Managers	(3)
or
ACCT 253 – Introductory Financial Accounting (ACCT 253 is recommended for those planning to pursue the Bachelor of Commerce or the QAFP/CFP certification)
ECON 247 – Microeconomics	(3)
ECON 248 – Macroeconomics	(3)
ECON 385 – Money, Banking, and Canadian Financial Institutions	(3)
FNCE 322 – Personal Finance	(3)
FNCE 370 – Overview of Corporate Finance	(3)
MGSC 301 – Statistics for Business and Economics I	(3)

Finance Major Electives

(Select 6 credits from the following)

electives
Any combination of Economics (ECON) or Finance (FNCE) courses (with a maximum of 3 credits at the junior (200) level) not obtained as a core course, or TAXX 301**	6

Options

(3 credits)

Business and Administrative Studies at the junior (200) or senior (300 or 400) level**

** Recommendation: FNCE 249, FNCE 323, and FNCE 350 are recommended for QAFP certification (FNCE 350 is currently in development; LGST 369 can satisfy if needed prior to opening). A degree is required in order to meet requirements for the Certified Planner certification such as the Bachelor of Commerce with a Major in Finance. This certificate can ladder into the degree program.

If planning to pursue Bachelor of Commerce, Finance Major, refer to program regulation recommendations or contact an advisor for assistance in planning your courses.

Information effective Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025.

Updated July 16, 2024 by Office of the Registrar (calendar@athabascau.ca)