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