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 Analysis
- Credit Risk
- Bank Regulations
- Financial Analysis
- Derivatives
- Risk Mitigation
- Project Portfolio Management
- Financial Services
- Securities (Finance)
- Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG)
- Portfolio Management
- Loans
- Risk Management
- Risk Modeling
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Financial Modeling
- Financial Market
- Market Data
- Financial Data
- Financial Regulation
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, Analysis, Balance Sheet, Financial Statement Analysis, Investments, Derivatives, Analytics, Financial Data, Portfolio Management, Income Statement, Securities (Finance), Risk Management, Investment Management, Business Valuation, Financial Analysis, Market Data, Decision Making, Financial Market, Risk Analysis, and Financial Regulation
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, Cash Flows, Risk Modeling, Financial Statement Analysis, Risk Analysis, Data Modeling, Loans, Financial Data, Return On Investment, Case Studies, Excel Formulas, Investments, Business Valuation, Business Analytics, Financial Modeling, and Market Data
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 Market, Market Dynamics, Regulatory Compliance, Analysis, Business Valuation, Microsoft Excel, Investments, Compliance Management, Financial Regulation, Lending and Underwriting, Risk Analysis, Capital Markets, Risk Mitigation, and Financial Analysis
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, Risk Analysis, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Financial Modeling, Financial Regulations, Loans, Compliance Management, Excel Formulas, Economics, Structural Analysis, Risk Management, Business Valuation, Derivatives, Market Dynamics, Portfolio Management, Business Modeling, and Financial Analysis
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,