SMIF: Student Managed Investment Fund Course

Apply and Register for the SMIF Course: Portfolio Practicum FIN 480/FIN 680

The Student Managed Investment Fund Course (FIN 480/680: Portfolio Practicum) provides Cleveland State University students the ability to serve as managers of the $1,700,000+ fund to gain hands-on experience in equity research, security selection and portfolio management. 

Both undergraduate and graduate students can enroll in the Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) course. When enrolled, students form groups to follow specific sectors and companies the fund holds. In a challenging and collaborative environment, students learn about and how to conduct full-fledged equity research of selected companies. They use the research to make buy, hold and sell decisions and transactions are then executed.

Students enrolled in the course have been doing a great job with the SMIF outperforming the benchmark S&P 500 index in the past five years and in the last two consecutive years.

The SMIF class regularly invites investment professionals to serve as guest speakers to discuss equity research and the investment industry. This provides access to fantastic networking opportunities and potential pathways to internship and career opportunities in the investment field. A number of SMIF students have secured positions in investment companies as a result of the class.

The SMIF class is offered in both the Spring and Fall Semesters. The expected class size is only 15 students (total, including both undergraduate and graduate students). Course prerequisites include:

• FIN 353 (Introduction to Investments) or FIN 601 (Financial Policies)
• A minimum GPA of 3.0

Apply Now for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026

The Finance Department will approve applications on a first-come, first-served basis until the class is filled, so apply today!