Earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance
Majors Overview March 27, 2014Those interested in understanding the principles of securities and economic management should look into a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree program in Finance. This program, which features both practical and theoretical knowledge, is useful for students that wish to become employed in the business world, where analytical abilities and business understanding are required.
B.S. Programs in Finance
Students in the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Finance degree program can learn the principles of financial analysis, particularly as they apply to business and economic management. In addition, students are taught to comprehend the influence of the banking and monetary system on economic activity, analyzing the valuation of securities. The information conveyed in these degree programs can assist students in problem-solving with an emphasis on accumulating and managing wealth at both the micro and macro levels.
Students interested in attaining this degree need to have a high school diploma or its equivalent for admissions.
Coursework
Apart from general courses that have to be completed by all students, regardless of department, students enrolled in the BS in Finance program are required to complete several programs with a focus on analytical business skills, in addition to more specialized finance skills through coursework in areas such as economic forecasting, banking, portfolio theory, investments, currencies, and business management. Such coursework may include subject areas such as:
•Financial markets
•Analytical methods in finance
•Statistics
•Portfolio management
•Macroeconomics
•Microeconomics
•Securities and investments
•International business finance
Career Choices
Graduates from the program enjoy many career choices, ranging from working in insurance or banking or as economic consultants, which involves understanding of the business needs of different firms and industries. A BS in Finance degree program arms students to pursue careers as:
•Financial planners
•Financial officers
•Credit managers
•Financial analysts
•Risk managers
Job and Wage Outlook
While economic analysts are predicted to enjoy a 23% job growth rate over the 2010-2020 decade, business managers are likely to experience a poor growth rate of 9% over the same period (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)). The business manager category includes risk managers and credit managers. In May 2012, economic analysts earned an annual average wage of $76,950 while business analysts earned $109,740.
Continuing Education Choices
Graduates of a BS degree program in Finance may seek continued education by earning graduate degrees. Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degrees in Finance are offered by business schools. Graduates from these programs are prepared to pursue occupations in business management positions, usually in corporate finance or investment banking. Students armed with a Master of Science (M.S.) in Finance degree may have a better opportunity to integrate investment banking, economics and mathematics, among other associated disciplines with the applications and theories of finance.
