# EmpowHER: Curriculum Guide ![Women working together at a table](/sites/default/files/styles/640w_x_535h/public/assets/images/455%20-%20Summer%202018%20Graduate%20Photo%20Shoot%20-%2020%20August%202018.jpg.webp?itok=UXy1M3N3) Professional Development Program in Sustainable Finance ## EmpowHER: Curriculum Guide We have outlined the following curriculum requirements and recommendations to ensure that EmpowHER students graduate with a clear understanding of the skills and topics needed for a successful career in sustainable finance. --- ## Comprehensive guidance on sustainable finance offerings at Stern and EmpowHER requirements As part of the EmpowHER program, students must complete a total of 18 credits of course work and experiential learning in sustainable finance. Mandatory components of the EmpowHER curriculum included two foundational courses and one experiential learning course, which will provide students with a basic understanding of sustainable business and finance, and how the two topics converge. We then have recommended a list of courses that focus on sustainable finance. Please note that EmpowHER does not require students to complete the Sustainable Business & Innovation or Finance specializations, but they are highly recommended. --- Jump to: [Foundational Courses](#Foundational%20Courses) | [Experiential Learning Courses](#Experiential%20Learning) | [Sustainable Finance Courses](#Sustainable%20Finance%20Courses) | [Sample Schedules](#Sample%20Schedules) | [Other Finance and Sustainable Business & Innovation Courses](#Finance%20and%20Sustainable%20Business%20&%20Innovation%20Courses) ### **Mandatory Foundational Courses | 6 credits:** - BSPA-GB.2305: Sustainability for Competitive Advantage | 3 credits - COR1-GB.2115 or COR1-GB.2311: Foundations of Finance (unless waived) | 3 credits ### **Mandatory Experiential Learning | 3 credits (Choose 1):** - Stern Signature Project (SSP) focusing on sustainable finance | 3 credits - FINC-GB 3320: Michael Price ESG Fund | 3 credits - INTA-GB 3371: NYU Impact Investment Fund (NIIF) | 3 credits ### **Recommended Sustainable Finance Courses | 9 credits:** - BSPA-GB 2303: Sustainability Value Creation in Private Markets | 3 credits | Summer - FINC-GB 2360: Sustainable Finance: Innovation and Trends in Capital Markets | 3 credits | Spring - FINC-GB 2375: Managing Climate, Cyber, Geopolitical, and Financial Risk | 3 credits | Fall & Spring - FINC-GB 2347: Climate Finance: An Economic and Financial Approach to Climate Change | 3 credits | Fall - PADM-GP 2311: Impact Investing | 3 credits | Fall & Spring - PADM-GP 2312: Managing Financial and Social Returns of the Social Enterprise | 3 credits - PADM-GP 4320: Environmental, Social, Governance Investing | 1.5 credits | Fall ### **Sample Schedules** Please note that these schedules are just a sample of how you may take Stern's sustainable finance offerings. You may take these courses in any order that you choose, as long as you follow Stern-assigned prerequisites. **Schedule with Sustainable Finance Stern Signature Project**Year 1: Fall SemesterYear 1: Spring Semester*Course Name**Course Type**Course Name**Course Type*Foundations of Finance\*Stern Core / Foundational CourseSustainability for Competitive Advantage\*Foundational CourseFinancial Accounting & ReportingMBA Program RequirementSustainable Finance: Innovation & Trends in Capital MarketsSustainable FinanceLeadership in OrganizationsMBA Program RequirementMenu Core ClassStern CoreMenu Core ClassStern CoreMenu Core ClassStern CoreMenu Core ClassStern CoreMenu Core ClassStern Core Year 2: Fall SemesterYear 2: Spring Semester*Course Name**Course Type**Course Name**Course Type*Finance-Focused Stern Signature Project \*Experiential LearningManaging Financial and Social Returns of the Social EnterpriseSustainable FinanceEnvironmental, Social, Governance InvestingSustainable FinanceImpact InvestingSustainable FinanceNon-EmpowHER ElectiveElectiveNon-EmpowHER ElectiveElectiveNon-EmpowHER ElectiveElectiveNon-EmpowHER ElectiveElectiveNon-EmpowHER ElectiveElectiveNon-EmpowHER ElectiveElective **Schedule with Two-Semester Experiential Learning Course**Year 1: Fall SemesterYear 1: Spring Semester*Course Name**Course Type**Course Name**Course Type*Foundations of Finance\*Stern Core / Foundational CourseSustainability for Competitive Advantage\*Foundational CourseFinancial Accounting & ReportingMBA Program RequirementSustainable Finance: Innovation & Trends in Capital MarketsSustainable FinanceLeadership in OrganizationsMBA Program RequirementMenu Core ClassStern CoreMenu Core ClassStern CoreMenu Core ClassStern CoreMenu Core ClassStern CoreMenu Core ClassStern Core Year 2: Fall SemesterYear 2: Spring Semester*Course Name**Course Type**Course Name**Course Type*Michael Price ESG Fund or NYU Impact Investing Fund (NIIF)Experiential LearningMichael Price ESG Fund or NYU Impact Investing Fund (NIIF)Experiential LearningEnvironmental, Social, Governance InvestingSustainable FinanceManaging Financial and Social Returns of the Social EnterpriseSustainable FinanceNon-EmpowHER ElectiveElectiveNon-EmpowHER ElectiveElectiveNon-EmpowHER ElectiveElectiveNon-EmpowHER ElectiveElectiveNon-EmpowHER ElectiveElectiveNon-EmpowHER ElectiveElective *Please note that these are just two examples of courses, you may substitute in any of our recommended sustainable finance courses for those listed.* ### **Other Courses in Finance and Sustainable Business & Innovation** While the courses above will count towards your Finance and Sustainable Business & Innovation specializations, there are other course offerings that you can choose from after completing the 6-9 credits in sustainable finance offerings. Please see the Sustainable Business & Innovation specialization page and the Finance specialization page to ensure that you are meeting the requirements of your desired specializations. Please note that you can take up to three specializations during your time at Stern, but having a specialization is not required. Popular course offerings in the Finance and Sustainable Business & Innovation Specializations: [**Finance**](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/portal-partners/academic-affairs-advising/specializations/finance-specialization) - FINC-GB 2302: Corporate Finance | 3 credits | Fall & Spring - FINC-GB 2334: Financial Service Industry | 3 credits | Fall - FINC-GB 3165: Topics in Private Equity Finance | 3 credits | Spring - FINC-GB 3173: Venture Capital Financing | 3 credits | Spring - FINC-GB 3182: Global Value Investing | 3 credits | Fall - FINC-GB 3320: Managing Investment Funds | 3 credits | Fall & Spring - FINC-GB 3331: Valuation | 3 credits | Fall & Spring - FINC-GB.3365: Private Equity Finance | 3 credits | Fall [**Sustainable Business & Innovation**](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/portal-partners/academic-affairs-advising/specializations/sustainable-business-innovation) - BSPA-GB.2304: Social Entrepreneurship & Sustainable Development | 3 credits | Spring - BSPA-GB.2306: Social Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Food Business | 3 credits | Fall - BSPA-GB.2308: Driving Market Solutions for Clean Energy | 3 credits | Spring - BSPA-GB.2331: Law, Business and Human Rights | 3 credits | Spring - MKTG-GB 2323: Marketing and Sustainability | 3 credits | Fall - PADM-GP 2311: Impact Investing | 3 credits | Fall & Spring - PADM-GP 4320: Environmental, Social, Governance Investing | 1.5 credits [Meet the 2024 Cohort](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/about/departments-centers-initiatives/centers-of-research/center-sustainable-business/news-events/blog/csb-announces-inaugural-empowher-cohort-17-women-dedicated-sustainable-finance) [ sustainablebusiness@stern.nyu.edu ](mailto:sustainablebusiness@stern.nyu.edu) [ 212-998-0567 ](tel:212-998-0567)