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Applied Investment Management (AIM) Program

Marquette is home to one of the nation's top undergraduate programs in applied investment management. The AIM program allows a select group of finance majors to get hands-on academic and security analysis experience, including summer internships and an opportunity to actively manage an equity and fixed-income portfolio throughout their senior year. Students will study the core body of knowledge covered in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) Level I exam — preparing them to take the test upon graduation — and begin a career in the money management industry.

The International Applied Investment Management (IAIM) program combines an International Business major with the AIM program with a goal of producing proficient and ethical research analysts with a global focus. The IAIM program provides the opportunity for a select number of double majors in international business and finance or accounting to receive the academic and practical experience in security analysis with an international concentration. Students are required to have a summer internship in an international setting and will actively manage a portfolio of global-fixed income and equity securities during their senior year. With their AIM cohorts, these select students will study the core body of knowledge covered in the CFA® Level I exam that will prepare them to take the test upon graduation.

Students apply to the AIM program during the fall semester of their junior year and notification of acceptance occurs prior to the end of the semester. Acceptance into these programs is limited and based on:

• Grades earned to date of application (GPA > 3.000)
• Resume and references
• Essay
• Interview

Interviews for the summer internships will begin after acceptance into the program.

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Academic Expectations for AIM Students

a. Students accepted into the AIM program must earn a B or better (no withdrawals allowed) in the following courses: **

ACCO 3001	Intermediate Accounting	3
ACCO 4080	Analysis of Corporate Financial Statements	3
FINA 3001	Introduction to Financial Management	3
FINA 4001	Advanced Financial Management	3
FINA 4011	Investment Analysis	3
FINA 4065	Fixed Income Securities	3
FINA 4310	Introduction to Applied Investment Management	3
FINA 4320	Research and Financial Analysis	3
FINA 4330	Valuation and Portfolio Management	3
FINA 4370	Advanced Investment Management, Ethics and Society	3
One of the following:
FINA 4060	Introduction to Financial Derivatives
FINA 4081	Investment Banking
FINA 4112	Investment Management
FINA 4082	Alternative Investments
ECON 4060	Introduction to Econometrics
ACCO 4020	Advanced Accounting
One of the following:
ACCO 4040	International Accounting
ECON 4044	International Currency Markets
FINA 4040	International Finance
Total Credit Hours		30

Note: Any waivers/transfers of course requirements must be approved by BOTH the AIM director and the dean's office.

b. Students in the IAIM program must earn a B or better (no withdrawals allowed) in the following courses beyond those listed in (a.):

• ECON 4044 International Currency Markets (may also count for elective above)
• Three International Business electives

c. All students in the AIM and IAIM program must complete an internship in the summer between the junior and senior years. If the student wishes to earn credit they may register for the appropriate international course (FINA 4986 Finance Internship - Grading Period for AIM or INBU 4986 International Business Internship - Grading Period for IAIM). Students in the IAIM program must also meet the language proficiency and study abroad components of international business majors.

d. Have an overall cumulative 3.000 grade point average at the end of the second semester of their junior year and a cumulative 3.250 grade point average at the end of the first semester of their senior year for all College of Business classes.

e. Carry a typical course load of 15-18 credit hours per semester.

f. Failure to meet academic standards in any semester will result in student being dropped from AIM or IAIM programs. The decision to drop a student from the AIM or IAIM programs is at the sole discretion of the AIM director.

g. Any appeal of the decision to be dropped from the program must begin with the AIM Director. The decision of the finance chair can be appealed to the associate dean of the College of Business Administration. Finally, the student may appeal the decision to the dean of the College of Business Administration. The dean’s decision will be final. If a resolution cannot be reached, the department chairperson must be contacted with a written appeal.

h. If at any time a student leaves or is dropped from AIM or IAIM programs, all credits earned at that point will be counted toward the finance and/or International Business majors.

For more information, including the specific curriculum and expectations for accounting majors in the AIM and IAIM programs, contact the AIM director, Dr. David Krause at (414) 288-1457 or the AIM website.