College Credit Research Project: Finance
Careers in finance, economics, and related fields are built on the ability to ask the right questions and back them up with evidence. Earn three college credits from Georgetown University while developing those skills firsthand. Design and complete an original research project moving through every stage of the scholarly process, from forming a research question to writing a full academic paper. Through the lens of financial markets, valuation, and emerging technologies, you'll build skills that apply well beyond any single career path.
Program Dates
Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Eligibility
For students ages 18 and up
College Credit Course Fees
$3,995
Enrichment Course Fees
$1,895
What's the Difference Between Our College Credit and Enrichment Courses?
Both enrichment and college credit–bearing options feature engaging online lessons and instructional support. College credit–bearing courses include additional coursework and offer the opportunity to earn academic credit upon successful completion. Some course content overlaps across both options, so students are encouraged to choose the format that best aligns with their academic or professional goals.
College Credit Courses$3,995
Length of Course: Multi-length course options
Instruction & Activities: 128 hours
Grading: Letter grade
On Your Own Schedule: ✔️
Academic Support: ✔️
Final Project: ✔️
College Credit Hours: ✔️
Certificate of Completion: Georgetown Transcript
Enrichment Courses$1,895
Length of Course: 1-, 2-, or 4-weeks
Instruction & Activities: 20-30 hours
Grading: Pass/Fail
On Your Own Schedule: ✔️
Academic Support: ✔️
Final Project: ✔️
College Credit Hours:❌
Certificate of Completion:✔️
Building Research Skills Through the Lens of Finance
Where Research Meets Financial Markets
Establish the foundation of your research project by identifying a finance topic and drafting a focused research question. Discover how financial markets function and what separates investing from speculation.
From Research Proposal to Portfolio Strategy
Build a structured research proposal by exploring primary and secondary methodologies, source planning, and ethical considerations. Learn how financial portfolios are constructed to balance risk and meet specific investment objectives.
Researching the Financial System
Develop your literature review skills by locating and evaluating scholarly sources relevant to your finance research question. Follow the mechanics of financial trading, from order placement through trade settlement.
Building Your Literature Review With Valuation Insights
Organize your scholarly sources into a structured literature review, applying APA citation standards and reference management tools. Examine how investors assess a company’s worth through internal valuation models and external market comparisons.
Research Writing and Fintech's Future
Apply your research skills to produce a complete academic paper with coherent structure, scholarly tone, and properly cited sources. Explore how fintech innovations like blockchain, cryptocurrency, and Web3 are transforming the financial landscape.
Completing Your Research in Finance
Refine your completed research paper and reflect on how your findings connect to real-world challenges in finance and beyond. Build transferable skills that apply across careers in finance, economics, policy, research, and more.
What You Gain From This Experience
- Perspective on career paths in finance, economics, financial research, public policy, and related fields.
- A foundation in academic research, from forming a question to writing and revising a full scholarly paper.
- Experience locating, evaluating, and organizing scholarly sources using academic databases and research tools.
- Understanding of core finance topics, including financial markets, portfolio construction, valuation methods, and fintech innovation.
- Practice applying APA citation standards and reference management tools used in college-level academic work.
- The opportunity to earn official college credit from Georgetown University through graded coursework and projects.
What Sets This Program Apart
A Capstone Project With Real-World Relevance
- Produce a full-length academic research paper on a self-selected finance topic, incorporating scholarly sources and APA formatting.
- Demonstrate independent scholarly thinking through a structured argument that moves from research question to findings and conclusion.
Instructional Guidance And Mentorship
- Receive feedback from TAs as you develop your research proposal, build your literature review, and refine your final paper.
- Strengthen your ability to construct scholarly arguments and apply research methods with expert guidance throughout the course.
Flexible Learning With Clear Expectations
- Engage with online coursework designed to support steady progress and accountability.
- Complete assignments and skill-building exercises alongside academic, professional, or personal responsibilities.
Apply Now for the Next Available Course
Course Designed by Georgetown University Faculty
Ladislava Khailova, Ph.D.
Director, School of Continuing Studies Library
Dr. Ladislava Khailova brings a deep commitment to inclusive, interdisciplinary librarianship shaped by a multifaceted academic career. Before joining Georgetown, Dr. Khailova was a Professor at Founders Memorial Library at Northern Illinois University, where she served as a subject specialist in the humanities and social sciences and coordinated library services for individuals with disabilities. She also taught American literature and English composition at both South Carolina State University and the University of South Carolina. Her research spans information literacy, generative artificial intelligence, and the historical and cultural frameworks that inform representations of the social Other—across dimensions such as disability, national origin, race, ethnicity, and gender. She is the recipient of numerous grants for her scholarship, including the prestigious ALA Carnegie-Whitney Award.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How will you be graded? What are assignments like? How much time do you have to turn around a project? When do you find out if you’re admitted? Find answers to your questions here.
Answers to Your Questions HereScholarships
We offer need-based scholarships for participating students who exhibit high potential and an inability to pay the full tuition.
- If you haven’t applied to the program, apply here. After submitting your application, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” on the confirmation page to request a scholarship.
- If you’ve already applied to the program, sign in to your profile to check your scholarship status. If we don’t have a scholarship request on file, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” to request a scholarship.