Our curriculum is strongly recommended for students interested in markets-oriented finance careers such as investment management (portfolio management, equity/credit research, alternatives, and sales and trading) as well as private wealth management. Our courses are extremely helpful if you are interested in pursuing other finance careers such as investment banking and corporate finance. We encourage students not pursuing finance careers to consider a few of our courses to develop their personal finance acumen, a fundamental life skill.
The concentration in Capital Markets and Investments (CMI) prepares MBA students for positions on the buy and sell sides of the capital markets, including corporate treasury, securities analysis and portfolio management, sales and trading, and personal client services. The curriculum includes a rigorous theoretical component and a demanding applied component. Courses are structured to provide a nearly comprehensive preparation for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program. Two tracks are available: Equity Valuation and Applied Investments and Portfolio Management and Investment Tools.
Many CMI students apply to the Applied Investment Management (AIM) course, in which students manage a real portfolio of financial assets. Historically, UNC Kenan-Flagler has placed about 15% of our graduating class in capital markets and investment positions. We have alumni in all global financial centers and major financial institutions.
Learn more about the CMI concentration >
View a course schedule >
The PRIME Program (Academic Project):
Students gain valuable real-world experience by working approximately 10 hours per week for 10-12 weeks at a participating firm. After the project is complete, students and firms provide program feedback that helps create a stronger and more robust offering.
If you are an investment firm interested in participating, please reach out to Pramita Saha at pramita_saha@kenan-flagler.unc.edu.
“We had a great experience. Over the past 10-12 weeks we covered significant ground. We would certainly participate again and would recommend any of our sell-side competitors and buy-side clients participate in the Practicum in the future.”
– Daniel J. Moore (MBA ’00) , CFA, Managing Director, CJS Securities
“Reviewing prior investment presentations and models used in real-world investing helped broaden our acumen and develop our skills. The research and due diligence process employed by the firm helped craft our investment process and will further help prepare us for our full-time roles in the investment management industry.”
– Mitchell Forss (MBA ’22) and William McNamara (MBA ’22)
The UNC Kenan-Flagler business major gives undergraduates the core skills, academic customization and advising support they need to drive their career from the moment they graduate. Although not required, students may choose to complete up to two areas of emphasis (AOE) as part of their major electives. AOEs give you the opportunity to customize your major based on your interests and desired career trajectory. All AOEs are 9 credits. The Investment Management AOE prepares you for analytical and leadership positions on both the buy and sell sides of securities markets, including security analysis and portfolio management, capital markets, sales and trading, and personal client services (private wealth management).
Learn more about the Investment Management area of emphasis >