Introduction to Corporate Finance — Wharton School -- University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania × Wharton School

Offered by the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania on the course platform, this course provides a concise introduction to the fundamentals of corporate finance, emphasizing application to real-world situations spanning personal finance, corporate decision-making, and financial intermediation. Topics include time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, and capital budgeting.

Duration

15 hours

Level

Beginner

Deadline

No Deadline

🌐 Available Languages: English
📅 Last Updated: 2026-03-24

📋 Prerequisites

No prior finance knowledge is required. Basic math skills (algebra) are helpful. The course is part of the Wharton Business Foundations Specialization.

👥 Who Should Take This Course

  • Students exploring careers in finance and corporate banking
  • Entrepreneurs seeking to understand corporate financial decisions
  • Working professionals wanting foundational finance knowledge
  • Anyone preparing for an MBA or business graduate program

📚 What You Will Learn

1

Time Value of Money: Present and Future Value Concepts

2

Interest Rates, Compounding, and Discount Rates

3

Risk-Return Tradeoff and Cost of Capital

4

Capital Budgeting: NPV, IRR, and Payback Period

5

Corporate Financial Decision-Making and Valuation

6

Real-World Applications: Mortgages, Retirement, and Leasing

🏛️ About the Institution — University of Pennsylvania

The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1881, is the world's first collegiate business school and consistently ranked #1 globally for business education. Wharton's finance faculty are among the most cited in the world.

Founded

1881

Location

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Recognition

Global #1 Business School — US News 2026

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is this course the same as an MBA finance class?
This course is based on the pre-term qualifying courses for Wharton MBA students. It covers the core fundamentals that MBA students are expected to know, making it an excellent preparation for graduate business programs.
How long does it take to complete?
The course contains approximately 15 hours of content and is typically completed in 4 weeks at about 3-4 hours per week. It is entirely self-paced.
Can I earn a certificate?
You can audit the course for free. A verified 课程平台 certificate is available by purchasing the certificate option or applying for financial aid. The certificate is shareable on LinkedIn.

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