Academy of Finance

All NAF, National Academy Foundation, Academies have an open enrollment policy.

APPLIED FINANCE

Applied Finance delves into the financial concepts introduced in Principles of Finance. Students learn to identify the legal forms of business organization and continue to develop an understanding of profit. They learn about various financial analysis strategies and the methods by which businesses raise capital. Students also have the chance to explore, in depth, topics of high interest in the field of finance, and explore the types of careers that exist in finance today.

 

BUSINESS ECONOMICS

Business Economics introduces students to the key concepts of economics as they pertain to business. This course discusses the American economy and the factors that influence the success of businesses and products. It describes forms of business ownership, discusses the relationship of labor and business, and provides a broad overview of the global economy. Students also examine careers in business, both as employees and as business owners.

 

BUSINESS IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY

Business in a Global Economy provides students with an understanding of how and why businesses choose to expand their operations into other countries. This course exposes students to the unique challenges facing firms doing business internationally, and to the potential opportunities available to those businesses. Building on concepts introduced in Principles of Finance, Business in a Global Economy broadens students’ understanding of how businesses operate, grow, and thrive in our ever-changing world.

 

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Entrepreneurship introduces students to the critical role entrepreneurs play in the national and global economy. Students learn the skills, attitudes, characteristics, and techniques necessary to become successful entrepreneurs. They explore starting a business and learn about the operational issues and financial risks that new businesses face. Students examine ethical issues and develop a framework for managing them. Finally, students identify the risks, returns, and other aspects of entrepreneurship as a potential career.

 

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Financial Planning provides students with an overview of the job of a financial planner. Students learn to consider how all aspects of financial planning might affect a potential client, and learn about the importance of financial planning in helping people reach their life goals. This course includes lessons on saving, borrowing, credit, and all types of insurance, and covers various types of investments. Students also examine careers in financial planning.

 

FINANCIAL SERVICES

This course gives students an overview of banks and other financial services companies. It introduces students to the origins of money and banking and examines the early history of banking in the United States. Students study the financial services industry and the types of companies it includes in depth. They learn about the services offered by such companies and analyze the ways these companies earn profits. Finally, students examine careers in financial services.

 

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Graphic Design provides a hands-on introduction to the technical and creative skills of a professional graphic designer. First, students learn the distinguishing features of communicating visually through graphic design. Next, they gain technical skills in Adobe Photoshop to equip them for graphic design work. From there, students master the basic principles of graphic design, and then delve into the elements of graphic design, such as color, typography, and images.

 

INSURANCE

This course introduces students to the insurance industry and to its critical role in the financial services sector and in society. It covers common types of insurance, including life, health and disability, property, liability, and forms of commercial insurance. Students examine the business model underlying the industry and how underwriting, actuarial science, and investment practices affect an insurance company’s financial success. Finally, they explore career opportunities, including broker, underwriter, actuary, and claims adjuster.

 

MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING

Managerial Accounting introduces the fundamentals of management accounting, including manufacturing and cost accounting, budgeting, accounting for managerial decision-making, and financial statement analysis. Students learn how to use accounting information for internal decision-making and planning and control. Regardless of the career path they choose, this course gives students the financial acumen necessary to make informed personal and business decisions.

 

PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING

Principles of Accounting provides students with an understanding of the accounting process and how it facilitates decision making by providing data and information to internal and external stakeholders. Students learn that accounting is an integral part of all business activities. They learn how to apply technology to accounting by creating formulas and inputting data into spreadsheets. Students also examine career opportunities and the professional certifications and designations earned by individuals in the accounting profession.

 

PRINCIPLES OF FINANCE

This is the first course students take in the Academy of Finance and introduces students to the financial world. Students develop financial literacy as they learn about the function of finance in society. They study income and wealth; examine financial institutions; learn how businesses raise capital; and study key investment-related terms and concepts. They also research how innovations have changed the financial services field. Finally, students explore careers that exist in finance today.

 

PRINCIPLES OF IT

The Principles of Information Technology course provides an overview of information technology (IT) today and introduces students to the basics of hardware and software. Students examine hardware components including peripherals, connectors, and memory. Students explore common operating systems, software applications, and programming languages. Students learn about types of networks and network topology, and they set up an email client/server connection. Students also consider contemporary issues such as security, privacy, and technological inequality. Finally, students explore career opportunities in IT.

 

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

This course provides a solid understanding of why ethics is important in every profession. After an introduction to several philosophies that inform ethics today, students explore the characteristics of an ethical professional. Students consider the range of dilemmas faced by managers and employees in the workplace. They learn about the qualities of effective leaders and the tools modern professionals use to instill an ethical workplace culture. Throughout the course, students have opportunities to refine their personal sense of ethics as they begin to build an ethical foundation for their professional future.