Georgetown University is offering a blockchain-focused course this spring

Georgetown University undergrads will have a chance to learn more about cryptocurrencies this spring.

 McDonough School of Business recently announced that it will offer its first fintech class, and that it will introduce students to the fundamentals of financial technology and how blockchain tech and cryptocurrency are changing finance and business.

The class will be taught by John Jacobs, executive director of the school’s Center for Financial Markets and Policy, and Perianne Boring, founder and president of the Chamber of Digital Commerce, who has been named an adjunct professor.

The chamber also created a nonprofit branch last month to focus on the education, research and promotion of digital assets and blockchain technology.

(What is the blockchain? Check out this Technical.ly Brooklyn piece for some answers.)

Jacobs said that student interest led to the creation of the course, and that the student club Georgetown Fintech has been well attended.

“The intersection of technology and financial services is one of the fastest-growing areas today,” Jacobs said in a statement. “Georgetown students are naturally entrepreneurial, and this is a great way to give them a new skill set.”

Boring said that there is a lack of blockchain-ready talent.

“In order for this industry to reach mass adoption, we need to develop a workforce that can support it,” she said. “I am honored to join the faculty at Georgetown McDonough in helping to prepare the future generation of professionals in this exciting technology frontier.”

The course will include the evolution of financial technologies, cryptocurrencies, initial coin offerings (ICOs) and international regulations and policies. Guest lecturers include Brent de Jong, founder of G Coin; Jordan Kruger, director of research and operations at Bloq and Karl Muth, CEO of Haystack.

https://twitter.com/DC_TechEvents/status/954444868004216832

Additionally, from March 6-8, Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business and the Chamber of Digital Commerce will host its third annual DC Blockchain Summit at Georgetown.