The Academy of Finance

— Designed by Top US Industry Leaders

The Wall Street
Master Class®

*See Disclosures

Your Journey to Financial Mastery

The Wall Street Master Class® is a program designed by Barron’s and Forbes U.S. Top Advisor James E. Demmert, tailored for high school and college students who want to strengthen their résumés, enhance college applications, secure future internships or entry-level positions, and lay the foundation for building lifelong personal wealth.

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An Immersive, Real-World Experience

Because the best way to learn about wealth is to live it.
Our hybrid program combines in-person and online learning with real-world simulations and mentorship from Wall Street experts — all inside an awarded U.S. investment firm on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.

Weekly classes take place on Sundays from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM on a “Lunch & Learn” format, designed to fit academic schedules.

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The $1 Million Challenge

As part of the program, students participate in the $1 Million Portfolio Challenge — actively managing a real-time portfolio, making strategic investment decisions, and gaining hands-on skills.

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Meet the Leaders of Wall Street

Gain direct access to top professionals from the most prestigious firms in finance and the unique opportunity to showcase your skills to them firsthand.

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How much wealth do you really need to live the life you envision?

As a part of our program, students will explore lifestyle-driven planning by identifying their goals—like dream home, travel, and retirement—and calculating what it takes to fund them. They’ll learn why everyone needs an ROR (Rate of Return), and how this single number can shape their lifelong financial success.

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12-week Program Overview

As a part of our program, students will explore lifestyle-driven planning by identifying their goals—like dream home, travel, and retirement—and calculating what it takes to fund them. They’ll learn why everyone needs an ROR (Rate of Return), and how this single number can shape their lifelong financial success.

  • Cultivating an Investor Mindset
  • Fundamentals of Investing
  • History of Market Volatility
  • Determining Your Personal ROR (Rate of Return)
  • How to Construct Diversified Portfolios using SMART Allocation
  • How to Stay Ahead of the Market?
  • Portfolio Optimization Keys based on Economic Cycles and Risk Exposure
  • How to Select the Right Stocks
  • Identify and Mitigate Financial and Emotional Risks
  • Non-Stock Investments
  • How to Build a Long-term Wealth Sustainability Plan
  • Capstone Presentation: Investor Forum

Graduate Outcomes

Graduates walk away with the real-world experience and confidence to build their future personal wealth and skills today’s employers are looking for.

  • An Official Wall Street Master Class® diploma recognized by recruiters and industry professionals.
  • Mentorship from Top Wall Street Leaders
  • A Personalized Letter of Recommendation signed by James E. Demmert
  • A StockTrak Certification®
  • A Strong Foundation to Build Lifelong Personal Wealth
  • Real Investment Portfolio Experience & Technical Skills
  • Access to Internships, First Job Referrals & Alumni Network
  • A Private, Behind-the-Scenes Visit to the New York Stock Exchange

Program Details

Next Session

  • Format: In-person weekly sessions (Sundays) + virtual coursework
  • Duration: 10 Weeks
  • Dates: Summer 2026 (coming soon)
  • Ideal for: High School & College students
  • Seats are Limited

Application process

  • Visit theacademyoffinance.org/apply
  • Submit the online application
  • Brief interview process
  • Receive a decision within 2 weeks

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TUITION $2500

*Note: Proceeds from tuition support scholarships, instructors, and other school-related expenses.

SCHOLARSHIPS

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we are committed to expanding access to financial education. We proudly offer scholarships and encourage ALL motivated students to apply.
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Donations

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we are committed to expanding access to financial education. Through donations and grants, we provide access, innovation, and community impact beyond our tuition model.
Support us
Being a Summer 2025 Master Class student not only deepened my knowledge of finance tremendously, but also ignited an even stronger passion for the field. One of my biggest takeaways was learning how essential it is to follow a SMART investment strategy and carefully assess risk before making any decisions.🎓"
Alexa - Student - Academy of Finance
Alexandra Selmani

Student / Wall Street Master Class Summer 2025

" I had an amazing 12-week learning experience at the Academy - from having an opportunity to dive deep into Investment portfolio management, hands on experience with implementation of investment strategies, and having an extraordinary opportunity to learn about risk management and wealth planning from a world-class team."
Harris White

Student / Wall Street Master Class Summer 2025

“The greatest investment a young person can make is in their own education, in their own mind. The more you learn, the more you will earn.”

— Warren Buffett

“The Journey to Wealth”

At the heart of the Academy’s curriculum is the award-winning book The Journey to Wealth, written by our co-founder and Chairman, James E. Demmert — one of Barron’s Top Financial Advisors and a respected voice on Wall Street. This acclaimed guide forms the foundation of our program, offering students a clear and strategic framework to understand financial markets, build lasting wealth, and make sound decisions.

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