Faculty Advisor: Ph.D. candidate in Finance, Washington University in St. Louis

Research Practicum Introduction

This program will introduce the exciting field of behavioral finance, which examines how psychological factors can affect financial decision-making.

In this program, we'll also explore the importance of developing financial curiosity and how reading economic newspapers can be a great starting way to do so. Each week, we'll delve into different economic concepts commonly presented in newspapers, such as inflation, unemployment, and the stock market. 

Throughout the program, students will have the opportunity to engage in discussions about the economic news they've read, sharing their thoughts and critical feedback with their peers. By the end of the program, students will have gained a deeper understanding of financial concepts and the role they play in the economy, as well as applying them to real-world scenarios in their final project.

Final Deliverables

To excel, students must keep their curiosity alive by asking questions and turning it into a habit. The instructor will also encourage students to explain why they are asking certain questions and why those questions are important.

At the end of the program, each student will complete a final 3-5 page proposal and a presentation.

Possible Program Topics For Final Project

• Developing the budget and marketing plan for a small business

• Learning about supply and demand when setting prices and tracking sales

• Designing and implementing a financial literacy campaign aimed at peers or community members

• Creating a budget for your own or a hypothetical household, including expenses such as rent, utilities, groceries, and entertainment

Program Detail

• Cohort Size: This cohort is limited to 5-10 students

• Workload: Average 3 hours per week (including class and homework time)

• Target Students: 7-9th grade students interested in Finance, Investment, Psychology, Behavioral Economy, or any student who wants to become intellectually and academically curious.

• Schedule: TBD (Meetings will take place for around one hour per week, with a weekly meeting day and time to be determined a few weeks prior to the class start date.)