Personal Finance and Investments – Major #2032

Certificate Program Map
🖶 Printer Friendly Report

The program map below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this path. It is always recommended that you meet with your pathway counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.


Prepares students to enter the workforce and demonstrate acquired skills and qualifications to employers for those seeking an entry level position in banking, finance, or insurance.  Also serves as a step incentive.


Upon completion of the program, students will:
  1. 1. Ability to create and analyze the four basic financial statements and budgets and recognize and evaluate opportunity and risk.
  2. 2. Ability to identify and discriminate between different financial markets, institutions and products and determine appropriateness to market participants.
  3. 3. Ability to describe the impact of exogenous factor inputs such as monetary and fiscal policy and changes in interest rates on financial management.
  4. 4. Ability to describe the basic principles of credit, insurance, large asset investment, saving and investing for the future, career development strategies, goal setting with respect to achievement of personal and lifelong financial objectives and business.
Effective Term: 2026 Spring Semester

Certificate Requirements

6 units

BA 30
Personal Finance

3 units
Effective Term: 2021 Fall Semester
Examines personal financial management from an economic and behavioral perspective. Emphasis on the life-long impact financial decisions have on individuals, families and society. Topics include time value of money, opportunity cost and marginal analysis; tax strategies; financial planning strategies; financial monitoring and reporting; money & credit management; purchasing strategies and large asset acquisition; risk management through home, health, auto and disability insurance; saving and investing; and retirement and estate planning. (A, CSU, UC)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: BA 10

        BA 34
        Fundamentals of Investing

        3 units
        Effective Term: 2022 Spring Semester
        Study of basic investment theory and practice including security valuation. Includes strategies for investments in government securities, corporate bonds, stocks, mutual funds and basic derivatives. (A, CSU)
        Total: 6 units