Abilene Christian University has been welcomed into the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program, offering new opportunities for students and demonstrating alignment with professional credentialing.
The affiliation recognizes that the Dukes School of Finance incorporates at least 70% of the CFA Program curriculum into its courses and places emphasis on the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct. This positions students well to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation, the most respected and recognized investment credential in the world.
“Entry into the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program signals to potential students, employers and the marketplace that ACU’s curriculum is closely tied to professional practice and is well-suited to preparing students for the CFA Program examinations,” said Dr. Jody Jones, associate professor of finance. “There is also immediate and direct benefit to students, as we are eligible to receive several CFA Program Student Scholarships each year.”
The Dukes School of Finance, housed in ACU’s College of Business Administration, offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in financial management, equipping students to analyze financial data, project growth, evaluate expenditures, and promote financial stability for companies and individuals. The program also prepares graduates to pursue advanced degrees in business-related fields, deepening analytical and critical thinking skills along the way.
The school bears the name of the late Dr. Bill and Janie Dukes, whose estate gift of more than $29 million to ACU stands as the largest single academic gift in university history. Their generosity established the Dr. William P. and Janie B. Dukes Excellence in Finance Endowment, which funds prestigious student scholarships, supports preparation for top graduate programs, and endows multiple faculty positions in finance.
CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. The organization is a champion of ethical behavior in investment markets and a respected source of knowledge in the global financial community. CFA’s aim is to create an environment where investors’ interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow. There are more than 200,000 CFA charterholders worldwide in 164 markets. CFA Institute has nine offices worldwide and there are 160+ CFA Societies.
– Wendy Kilmer
July 15, 2026