Derivatives and Trading Academy
Building the Next Generation of Market-Minded Talent
The Derivatives and Trading Academy (DTA) is a rigorous, hands-on program designed to prepare high-performing students for careers in trading, derivatives, and quantitative finance.
Launched in the 2024–2025 academic year, DTA is led by Clinical Assistant Professor of Finance Rich Excell, a seasoned industry professional and dedicated educator. The Academy welcomed its inaugural cohort of nearly 30 undergraduate students and is poised to become a premier pathway to high-impact roles in the financial markets.
A Selective, Integrated Curriculum
Students selected for the Derivatives and Trading Academy must be enrolled in the Finance + Data Science, Finance + Information Science, or Finance + Computer Science dual-degree programs. Over three semesters, students complete a progressive series of courses taught by Professor Excell. These courses combine classroom learning, competitive simulations, and real-world applications.
The Derivatives and Trading Academy Course Sequence
Semester One - FIN 412: Introduction to Futures and Options
Students begin their journey by exploring derivatives markets across various asset classes. Simulated trading environments help students apply key concepts and develop a data-driven understanding of market behavior.
Semester Two - FIN 416: Applied Derivative Strategies
In this advanced course, students dive deeper into complex derivatives and options strategies — such as exotic options, spreads, and volatility forecasting. Performance is assessed through market simulations, encouraging students to develop and refine systematic trading approaches.
Semester Three - FIN 428: Cases in Financial Derivatives
During their senior year, students synthesize what they’ve learned by building and backtesting their own trading strategies. They also begin mentoring the incoming cohort, fostering a collaborative peer network that supports professional growth well beyond graduation.
Real-World Skills. Real Market Impact.
The Derivatives and Trading Academy is more than a series of courses—it’s a launchpad for students who are passionate about markets, data, and strategy. Through mentorship, experiential learning, and close industry alignment, DTA cultivates the next generation of market-minded talent ready to lead in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
We Want to Partner with You
The Derivatives and Trading Academy takes a bold step forward in preparing students for technical, analytical roles in trading or asset management firms, hedge funds, and financial technology.
These students supplement the important learning they do in the classroom with hands-on experience. They have implemented the strategies, written the code, analyzed the data, and learned to perform under simulated – and painfully realistic – market pressure.
If you’re an employer seeking students who bring both quantitative depth and market intuition to the table, we invite you to connect with us. Gies Business is building a new generation of market-ready talent, and we want our industry partners and alumni to be part of that journey. Together, we can shape the future of finance one cohort at a time.
To learn more about the Derivatives and Trading Academy, or to get involved in recruiting or mentoring opportunities with DTA, please contact Rich at excell@illinois.edu.