Pre-Skills

Students join the Smith School with a variety of technical skills and educational and professional backgrounds. The resources below have been compiled to assist incoming students with preparing for their master's coursework.

UMD students have unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning, an online library of instructional videos covering the latest software, creative, and business skills.    

Recommended Assignments and Reading 

In the Master of Finance program, students should be prepared to use Python and Excel in their first semester.

• Python
  • LinkedIn Learning: Python Statistics Essential Training 
• Excel (for students with no Excel experience)
  • LinkedIn Learning: Excel Essential Training
• Business Writing and Communications
  • LinkedIn Learning: Communication within Teams 
  • LinkedIn Learning: Communication Foundations 
  • LinkedIn Learning: Tips for Better Business Writing
  • LinkedIn Learning: Own Your Voice: Improve Presentations and Executive Presence
  • A Plain English Handbook: How to Create Clear SEC Disclosure Documents 

Optional Assignments and Reading

• R
  • LinkedIn Learning: Master R for Data Science
  • The Book of R: A First Course in Programming and Statistics
  • UCLA R Learning Modules
  • Introduction to R Notes
  • Tutorials Point R Tutorial
• SAS
  • LinkedIn Learning: SAS® 9.4 Certification Preparation 
  • The Little SAS Book: A Primer
  • SAS How-To Tutorials
  • UCLA SAS Learning Modules
• Tableau
  • LinkedIn Learning: Tableau Essential Training
  • LinkedIn Learning: Improve Your Tableau Skills