Principles of Finance: Capital Markets and the Economy

How do companies raise money, make financial decisions and create value in competitive markets? In this course, students will explore the core concepts of corporate finance, capital markets and the global economic system. The course will move beyond individual budgeting to learn how businesses raise capital, how markets function and to understand the forces that drive economic growth and stability. Through the lens of real companies, startups, and emerging industries, students will learn how organizations secure funding, evaluate investment opportunities, manage financial risk and make strategic decisions that influence growth and innovation. Through real-world examples, the course will examine the role of capital markets, venture investors, financial institutions and the broader global economy in supporting new ventures and established businesses. By the end of this course, students will be able to define and distinguish between corporate finance, capital markets and macroeconomics and apply time-value-of-money calculations to real financial decisions. No prior knowledge of finance or economics is required.

The recommended prerequisites are not required but are helpful for success in this class: Introduction to Business, Algebra I, Algebra II, Statistics. No prior background in finance or economics is required. Students should be prepared to participate in discussions, case-study analysis, collaborative activities and introductory financial and economic reasoning as they explore how businesses and markets operate.

All students will need a laptop, tablet, or similar device to use for coursework in this class. We ask students to bring their own device or request to use one of the program's devices.

Each ALP course provides approximately 68 instructional hours, comparable to one-half high school credit. Students interested in receiving credit should check with their school before enrolling, as credit decisions are made solely by the student's school or district. At the end of the program, students receive a grade report with the course description, overall grade and instructor comments that may be shared with their school when considering credit.