Finance (BS)
The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance program is structured to provide students with the essential skills and knowledge required to excel in a diverse range of industries. Rooted in a solid foundation of finance and economics, the program provides training in corporate finance, investments and other domains of financial planning, financial institutions, international finance, public finance and real estate.
Students are also afforded the opportunity to tailor their academic experience through elective courses and the option to pursue minors in Data Analytics, Accounting, and/or Professional Sales, further enhancing their career prospects.
The program emphasizes practical experience in analyzing financial data, evaluating investment opportunities, and understanding market dynamics, preparing students to make informed and effective financial decisions. Graduates of the BS in Finance program are well-positioned to enter high-demand fields such as corporate finance, banking, investments, and financial services, with competitive earning potential. Alternatively, students may wish to pursue further graduate work in the field.
All baccalaureate business degree programs offered are nationally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
FINANCE, Bachelor of Science (120 credits)
The Bachelor of Science in Finance offers an applied program laying a solid finance, economics, and accounting foundation. There is consistent demand for financial professionals in the fields of corporate finance, banking, lending, and investment industries. Upon completion of the program, our students have marketable skills to pursue careers in these extensive areas. The program further equips students with data analytics skills and prepares them for financial advisory roles. Students may alternatively pursue graduate study in the field. All baccalaureate business degree programs offered are nationally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Business Common Component | ||
| BUS 1100 | Introduction to Marketing and Sales | 4 |
| BUS 1200 | Business Law and Ethics (DICO) | 4 |
| BUS 1300 | Digital Information Technologies (TECO) | 4 |
| BUS 1400 | Principles of Economics (GACO) (GACO) | 4 |
| BUS 2000 | Financial & Managerial Accounting | 4 |
| BUS 2200 | Management and Decision Making | 4 |
| BUS 2300 | Business Writing and Presenting (WRCO) | 4 |
| BUS 2400 | Financial Management | 4 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| FIN 3200 | Corporate Finance | 4 |
| FIN 3400 | Investment Principles | 4 |
| FIN 4300 | Professional Financial Planning | 4 |
| ECN 4100 | Money and Banking | 4 |
| MGM 4900 | Strategy & Sustainable Competitive Advantage | 4 |
| Tier One Major Elective | ||
| Complete one course from the following: | 4 | |
| Intermediate Macroeconomics | ||
| Intermediate Microeconomics | ||
| Major Electives | ||
| Complete two courses from the following: | 8 | |
ACC 3000/4000 level course | ||
| Business Internship | ||
| Intermediate Macroeconomics (If it is not taken in the tier one major elective ) | ||
| Intermediate Microeconomics (If it is not taken in the tier one major elective ) | ||
| Managerial Statistics | ||
| International Finance and Economic Policy | ||
| Current Topics in Economics | ||
| Real Estate Investment & Finance | ||
| Seminar in Finance | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning in the Discipline Connection | ||
| FIN 3100 | Financial Analytics (QRCO,TECO) | 4 |
| Mathematics Foundations | ||
| MA 2210 | Finite Math with Business Statistics (QRCO) | 4 |
| General Education | ||
| EN 1400 | Composition | 4 |
| IS 1115 | Tackling a Wicked Problem | 4 |
| CTDI | Creative Thought Direction | 3-4 |
| PPDI | Past and Present Direction | 3-4 |
| SIDI | Scientific Inquiry Direction | 3-4 |
| SSDI | Self and Society Direction | 3-4 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) 1 | 4-8 | |
| WECO | Wellness Connection | 3-4 |
| INCP | Integrated Capstone | 3-4 |
| Free Electives | 14-15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Directions should total 20 credits (unless the major has a waiver for a specific Direction).
Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.
To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years. For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester. Credits completed must count toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).
| Year One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| EN 1400 | Composition | 4 |
| IS 1115 | Tackling a Wicked Problem | 4 |
| Mathematics Foundations Course: | ||
| MA 2210 | Finite Math with Business Statistics (QRCO) | 4 |
| BUS 1100 | Introduction to Marketing and Sales | 4 |
| BUS 1200 | Business Law and Ethics (DICO) | 4 |
| BUS 1300 | Digital Information Technologies (TECO) | 4 |
| BUS 1400 | Principles of Economics (GACO) | 4 |
| PPDI | Past and Present Direction | 3-4 |
| Credits | 31-32 | |
| Year Two | ||
| BUS 2000 | Financial & Managerial Accounting | 4 |
| BUS 2100 | Introduction to Finance | 2 |
| BUS 2200 | Management and Decision Making | 4 |
| BUS 2300 | Business Writing and Presenting (WRCO) | 4 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) 1 | 4-8 | |
| CTDI | Creative Thought Direction | |
| SSDI | Self and Society Direction | 3-4 |
| SIDI | Scientific Inquiry Direction | 3-4 |
| Finance Electives level 1 - complete on of the following: | 4 | |
| Intermediate Macroeconomics | ||
| Intermediate Microeconomics | ||
| Credits | 28-34 | |
| Year Three | ||
| FIN 3100 | Financial Analytics (QRCO,TECO) | 4 |
| FIN 3200 | Corporate Finance | 4 |
| FIN 3400 | Investment Principles | 4 |
| INCP | Integrated Capstone | |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) | 3-4 | |
| Finance Electives level 2 | 4 | |
| Free Electives | 4-6 | |
| WECO | Wellness Connection | |
| Credits | 23-26 | |
| Year Four | ||
| FIN 4300 | Professional Financial Planning | 4 |
| MGM 4900 | Strategy & Sustainable Competitive Advantage | 4 |
| Finance Electives level 2 | 4 | |
| linkurl^/general-education/^Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SIDI, SSDI) | 3-4 | |
| Free Electives | 8-10 | |
| ECN 4100 | Money and Banking | 4 |
| Credits | 27-30 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Directions should total 20 credits (unless the major has a waiver for a specific Direction).
- Understand the determination of the aggregated economic performance over a business cycle and assess the effects of public fiscal and monetary policies on social welfare and stabilization of the economy within the context of an open economy.
- Explore the various managerial aspects and responsibilities required to conduct financial business activities in dynamic business environment by analyzing financial markets, institutions, and major types of financial instruments.
- Understand the nature of risk, identify objectives and motivations of investors, evaluate risk/reward profiles and utilize critical thinking, analytical tools and economic analysis to identify appropriate investment strategies and support construction of portfolios.
- Explore short- and long-term capital investment opportunities and associated risks in various settings.
Finance is a broad and dynamic area of study, with many career possibilities. While pursuing a Finance degree at Plymouth State, you’ll learn financial management for large corporations and small businesses, investment analysis, international finance and gain an understanding of financial institutions and markets. You can also pursue electives in areas from real estate investment to income tax preparation to public finance, among others.