Finance
Now more than ever, there's a need for educated business and finance professionals to plan for the future. Are you up for it?
- Degrees & Offerings
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- Concentration
- Location
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- Bloomsburg
- Lock Haven
- Mansfield
- Department
- College
- Program Contact
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Chair, Department of Business, Innovation & Technology
A finance degree will prepare you to guide personal clients, corporations, government agencies and other types of firms through financial struggles and uncertainty but also with short-term and long-term planning responsibilities. Our finance majors complete a balance of theoretical and practical courses in investments, corporate finance, personal financial planning, financial institutions and banking, and real estate finance.
Program Overview
- AACSB Accredited: The International Business program is accredited by AACSB International, the hallmark of business education worldwide. The accreditation means we offer high-quality programs that meet the most rigorous standards. Many top, global corporations only recruit from AACSB-accredited schools. Those graduates are offered better, more competitive salaries.
- Benner-Hudock Center for Financial Analysis: Our Benner-Hudock Center for Financial Analysis is a state-of-the art research and teaching center that integrates business data and technology into the learning experience. It supports a wide range of activities that complement the classroom experience in a variety of business disciplines, including finance, accounting, and information technology management.
- Zeigler Institute for Professional Development (ZIPD): Sponsors executive panels, seminars, and a business conference to help students develop professional skills and network with alumni.
- Applied Curriculum: One of the hallmarks of our program is the opportunity for experiential learning through extra-curricular activities, internships, Corporate Executive Speech Series, and our ZIPD Annual Business Conference.
- Industry-Standard Software: You’ll have access to software programs used in the field, like Bloomberg, Capital IQ, Morningstar, Stocktrak, and DecisionTools Suite.
- Accelerated MBA: Start your MBA your senior year through the Accelerated MBA pathway, which allows students from any major to use MBA classes towards upper-level undergraduate coursework. Students can choose from one of 7 concentrations: Accounting, Analytics, Healthcare Management, Leadership and Human Resources, Marketing, Strategic Global Decisions, and a Build-Your-Own option!
Courses and Curriculum
Degree Requirements Degree Works
Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.
Upon graduation, students will be able to:
- Achieve a firm understanding of financial concepts, models, theories in investments, corporate financial management, and capital markets.
- Enhance the problem-solving and empirical application skills of financial analysis tools and techniques in Finance.
- Discuss the global financial environment and the effect of global influences on the financial decision-making process.
The accelerated MBA allows students from any major to use MBA classes towards upper-level undergraduate coursework. Students participating in the MBA Accelerated Pathway should meet the following qualifications:
- Senior Status
- Any Major
- 3.0 GPA or Above
- Complete the MBA Graduate Admissions Application
- If accepted, students will be enrolled as provisional admission.
Provisional admission: Students participating in the Accelerated MBA Pathway will need to maintain the following while participating in the program:
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Graduate with an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Achieve a B+ or higher in MBA courses taken
Coursework Details:
- Business Students: MBA graduate courses may be used in exchange for undergraduate courses within the Zeigler College of Business. Up to 4 MBA graduate courses can be applied to undergraduate courses with the approval of the advisor, department chair, program coordinator, and dean. These courses can be existing undergraduate business courses or electives. This assessment will be through a collaborative case-by-case process.
- Non-Business Students: With the permission of their advisor, department chair, MBA program coordinator, and business dean, majors outside of the Zeigler College of Business may enroll in up to 4 MBA graduate courses. These courses may be applied at the discretion of their program and college, for example, undergraduate electives.
- Performance: Students enrolling in the Accelerated MBA Pathway must meet the MBA program's expectations and complete the required courses that lead to the award of an MBA degree. If a student's cumulative GPA drops below 3.0 or a letter grade below B+ is received, an assessment will be conducted between the MBA Coordinator and advisor, potentially leading to the removal from the program.
- Students have an opportunity to take a second concentration and would require 9-credits for the chosen concentration.
Investing in Tomorrow
As a student in CU's Zeigler College of Business, you're automatically included in the Zeigler Institute for Professional Development (ZIPD), a comprehensive, holistic, educational experience designed to build your personal and professional capacities necessary for career success. Gain a competitive edge in the job market or acceptance in graduate and professional school through knowledge, demonstrated professional skills, and networking experiences.
Clubs and Organizations
Bloomsburg Investment Group (BIG)
The Bloomsburg Investment Group actively manages the BIG Fund, a student-managed equity investment portfolio. Research and analysis of the economy, industry, and equity, and portfolio management
Financial Management Association (FMA)
The FMA coordinates industry speakers, workshops, field trips. Bloomsburg FMA achieved the Superior Chapter Award (less than 10% of FMA members get this award)
Financial Planning Association (FPA)
The FPA coordinates industry speakers, workshops, field trips in the areas of personal financial planning.
Field Experiences
Industry Field Trips offer an excellent opportunity for experiential learning and professional development through trips to New York/Wall Street, Washington, D.C., and more.
The Commonwealth Difference
Careers
Career options could include:
Potential Job Opportunities
- Investment Banker
- Auditor
- Financial Advisor
- Tax Specialist
- Financial Analyst
- Business Planning Analyst
- Portfolio Manager
- Business Development Officer
- Compensation and Benefits Manager
- Chief Financial Officer
- Strategic Pricing Analyst
- Portfolio and Relationship Manager
- Trading Analyst
- Investment Real Estate Agent
Benner-Hudock Center for Financial Analysis
Our Benner-Hudock Center for Financial Analysis is a state-of-the art research and teaching center that integrates business data and technology into the learning experience. It supports a wide range of activities that complement the classroom experience in a variety of business disciplines, including finance, accounting, and information technology management.
Finance Contacts
Monica Favia
- Chair, Department of Business, Innovation & Technology
- Bloomsburg
Jonathan Ohn
- Professor of Finance
- Bloomsburg
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