The Credit Analysis Academy is a 14-hour intermediate course that equips learners with the skills to evaluate bonds, analyze financial statements, interpret credit ratings, and calculate default probabilities. Through hands-on exercises, case studies, and a capstone project, participants will gain practical expertise in fixed income analysis, credit risk assessment, and portfolio management strategies. Taught by finance professor and industry consultant Dr. Michael McDonald, whose work has supported firms like Microsoft, PIMCO, and Morgan Stanley, the course blends academic rigor with real-world application to prepare learners for roles in investment and corporate finance.
Credit Analyst Academy Specialization
Credit Analyst Academy Specialization
Credit Analyst Academy. Master Fixed Income & Credit Risk: Analyze Bonds, Assess Default Risk & Make Informed Decisions.
Instructors: Starweaver
Included with 
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
Intermediate level
Recommended experience
1 month at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
Intermediate level
Recommended experience
1 month at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers
What you'll learn
Explain key concepts in fixed income and credit risk.
Analyze financial statements to assess issuer creditworthiness.
Evaluate bond pricing, yields, and spreads.
Interpret credit ratings and risk assessments.
Overview
Skills you'll gain
- Risk Mitigation
- Risk Modeling
- Risk Analysis
- Financial Modeling
- Credit Risk
- Portfolio Management
- Derivatives
- Financial Market
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Loans
- Financial Analysis
- Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG)
- Financial Data
- Securities (Finance)
- Financial Regulation
- Risk Management
- Market Data
- Financial Services
- Project Portfolio Management
- Bank Regulations
What’s included
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Taught in English
Recently updated!
September 2025
18 practice exercises
Advance your subject-matter expertise
- Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
- Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
- Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
- Earn a career certificate from Starweaver
Specialization - 4 course series
What you'll learn
Execute fundamental credit risk assessments using industry-standard analytical frameworks.
Evaluate various fixed income securities and their risk characteristics across different market segments.
Interpret credit ratings and assess their implications for investment decision-making.
Apply basic financial statement analysis techniques to assess issuer creditworthiness.
Skills you'll gain
Credit Risk, Investments, Financial Statement Analysis, Analysis, Balance Sheet, Investment Management, Market Data, Financial Analysis, Financial Data, Business Valuation, Portfolio Management, Risk Analysis, Decision Making, Income Statement, Derivatives, Securities (Finance), Risk Management, Financial Regulation, Financial Market, and Analytics
What you'll learn
Execute comprehensive ratio analysis for credit evaluation using industry-standard metrics.
Perform advanced cash flow analysis to assess debt servicing capabilities.
Calculate probability of default and expected loss using quantitative models.
Apply structural and reduced-form credit risk models for investment decision-making.
Skills you'll gain
Credit Risk, Financial Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Risk Analysis, Risk Modeling, Cash Flows, Business Analytics, Loans, Financial Data, Case Studies, Investments, Data Modeling, Return On Investment, Business Valuation, Market Data, Financial Modeling, and Excel Formulas
What you'll learn
Evaluate bond pricing, yields, and credit spreads for investment decision-making.
Implement credit derivatives and structured products for risk management.
Apply Basel regulatory frameworks and stress testing methodologies.
Execute comprehensive credit portfolio management strategies.
Skills you'll gain
Credit Risk, Risk Management, Portfolio Management, Bank Regulations, Derivatives, Financial Analysis, Capital Markets, Business Valuation, Financial Market, Risk Mitigation, Investments, Regulatory Compliance, Microsoft Excel, Lending and Underwriting, Market Dynamics, Financial Regulation, Analysis, Risk Analysis, and Compliance Management
What you'll learn
Analyze macroeconomic and industry factors affecting credit risk across market cycles.
Evaluate specialized credit markets including high-yield and distressed debt.
Integrate ESG factors into comprehensive credit risk assessments.
Execute complete credit analysis projects using professional methodologies.
Skills you'll gain
Credit Risk, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Financial Modeling, Risk Analysis, Economics, Financial Regulations, Financial Analysis, Risk Management, Excel Formulas, Derivatives, Business Modeling, Loans, Structural Analysis, Business Valuation, Compliance Management, Market Dynamics, and Portfolio Management
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
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Frequently asked questions
This course is ideal for financial analysts, portfolio managers, credit risk professionals, and corporate finance specialists, as well as investors looking to deepen their understanding of fixed income and credit analysis.
No prior experience in credit analysis is required, but learners should have a basic understanding of finance and accounting, including financial statements and investment fundamentals.
You’ll work on practical projects such as bond valuation, financial statement analysis, credit ratio calculations, and risk assessments. The course concludes with a capstone project where you conduct a full credit risk analysis of a real or hypothetical company.
More questions
Financial aid available,