UC Online Course Highlight: COWL 52

One of the most daunting aspects of graduating from college is the financial responsibilities that are suddenly thrust upon you. As students leave their college life and head out into the world, they face financial decisions both big and small – from renting an apartment to setting up a 401(k), many students don’t know how to even begin managing their money and making smart financial decisions. UC Online is excited to promote “Personal Finance and Investing,” a fully remote course taught through UC Santa Cruz that provides an overview of all the financial responsibilities that young adults take on after college. From budgeting to student loans to invest in the stock market, this course provides a valuable framework for personal financial decision-making. 

Personal Finance and Investing is an online course that equips students with the knowledge and confidence needed to make successful financial decisions. The course covers a wide variety of topics, ranging from negotiating your first job and benefits to setting up a retirement account, to constructing an investment portfolio. It also delves into financial products, such as credit cards, car loans, and mortgages. Through the hands-on application of learning materials, this course aims to provide the organic memory of financial principles to guide responsible and successful decision financial making. 

This course is open to all UC students and is offered in Winter 2022. For success in this class, it is highly recommended that students dedicate at least 15 hours per week to this course. The material is rich in details and deals with subjects for which many students may not have any personal context, therefore students should devote ample time to reviewing material and making sure they fully understand and can apply it. It is highly advised that students do not skip any lecture or assignment; watching lectures and completing assignments are imperative to success in this class. The course consists of lectures, readings, assignments, quizzes, and a final, all of which are available on Canvas for students to move through at their own pace. There are also Zoom discussion sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays of each week to review the material and homework assignments; participation in these discussions is also a component of the final evaluation. Please refer to the syllabus for more information about course expectations, learning objectives, and grading. 

All class assignments are designed to expand upon course materials and provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how to manage their personal finances. Upon successful completion of this course, students will understand the characteristics

of their student loans and repayment options, understand the terms and conditions of credit cards, loans, and credit scores, and identify the components and fees of consumer financial products with an eye to avoid overpriced and inappropriate products or services. They will also be able to calculate what they need for retirement, set up a retirement portfolio, and track their performance. The learnings from this course are applicable and valuable to every college student and provide beneficial and practical knowledge to purposeful financial decisions. It’s time to invest in your future!

To view this class and other classes UC students can take each quarter/semester, visit UC Online’s website.