Skip to main content

Finance

  • Bachelor of Science
  • Minor
Finance Program student listening to a professor

Become a Financial Powerhouse

Finance is the art and science of managing money. When studying finance, you gain an understanding of how capital markets and systems interact and use that information to make sound financial decisions. The finance major provides students with strong finance fundamentals but allows them to deepen their studies in one of four academic tracks: corporate finance, investment management, behavioral finance and computational finance. By their senior year, students refine their focus toward areas such as data analytics, the psychology of investing, or the mathematics of investing. Students looking for careers in investment, financial analysis, or financial planning can also prepare for the SIE (Securities Industry Essentials) exam, CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) exam, or the CFP (Certified Financial Planner) exam. Rooted in the Benedictine value of stewardship, the program emphasizes responsible financial leadership by preparing students to help individuals, businesses, and communities manage resources wisely and sustainably.

The major has several academic tracks to help clarify your path into the wide world of finance. Available advisement tracks:

  • Behavioral Finance (includes psychology minor)
  • Computational Finance (includes mathematics minor)
  • Corporate Finance
  • Investment Management (with CFA and CFP* certification)
    *The CFP track requires 9 additional finance and accounting credits.

 

Professional headshot of a young woman with long brown hair, smiling warmly, wearing a black blazer and a white top.

“Saint Vincent's Finance Department prepared me for my career by teaching me how to think critically, offering the opportunity to pursue a specialized finance track, and surrounding me with supportive professors. I graduated not only with a strong foundation in finance but also with lifelong friendships.”

Justina Sirohman C’25
Finance Analyst, Avient Corporation

Undergraduate Programs

Program Highlights

Careers after Saint Vincent

A finance degree opens the door to a wide range of career opportunities. Some graduates choose commercial banking, while others in the corporate finance track join the finance departments of major corporations. Those specializing in investment management or behavioral finance often find roles at large wealth management firms or boutique investment shops.

Alumni will go on to successful careers as

  • Capital markets analysts
  • Derivatives operations associates
  • Financial analysts
  • Financial advisors
  • Risk management specialists

Our students have secured jobs and internships at a variety of companies in their field such as:

  • Baird
  • BNY Mellon
  • Covington Investment Advisors
  • Federated Investors
  • First National Bank
  • Gaskey & Associates
  • Koch Industries
  • PNC
  • PPG
  • Stanley, Black & Decker
  • U.S. Steel

Required Curriculum

The finance major is part of the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government and supported by our core curriculum, where students delve into diverse academic subjects at both foundational and advanced levels to explore how different disciplines connect, fostering deeper self-understanding and proficiency in their chosen field of study. 

  • Finance major requirements (27 to 40 credits)

    The finance major offers four possible advisement tracks (and two sub-tracks), which are custom-designed for differing career paths. The program has a strong core that combines courses in corporate finance, investments, financial institutions, and international finance. Students then choose concentrations in corporate finance or financial management. Finance students work closely with their advisor to determine which path is most suitable and preferable. Students completing one of the four following tracks will graduate with a B.S. in finance. 

    Corporate Finance Track (31 credits):

    • BA 101 Financial Accounting II 3
    • BA 200 Intermediate Accounting I 3
    • BA 321 Corporate Finance II 3
    • BA 324 Advanced Personal Financial Planning 3
    • BA 325 Analysis of Financial Statements 3
    • BA/EC 353 International Finance 3
    • BA 362 Investments I: Securities 3
    • BA 363 Investments II: Derivatives 3
    • BA 385 Financial Institutions 3
    • BA 351/A Statistics and Analytics II 4 & Excel II Lab

    Investment Management CFA Track (31 credits):

    • BA 101 Financial Accounting II 3
    • BA 324 Advanced Personal Financial Planning 3
    • BA/EC 353 International Finance 3
    • BA 362 Investments I: Securities 3
    • BA 363 Investments II: Derivatives 3
    • BA 367 Investment III: Alternative Assets 3
    • BA 385 Financial Institutions 3
    • BA 485 Financial Planning and Analysis 3
    • BA 488 Portfolio Theory 3
    • BA 351/A Statistics and Analytics II 4 & Excel II Lab

    Investment Management CFP Track (40 credits)

    • BA 101 Financial Accounting II (Freshman year) 3
    • BA 310 Taxes I 3
    • BA 311 Taxes II 3
    • BA 324 Advanced Personal Financial Planning 3
    • BA 353/EC 353 International Finance 3
    • BA 362 Investments I: Securities 3
    • BA 363 Investments II: Derivatives 3
    • BA 367 Investment III: Alternate Assets 3
    • BA 385 Financial Institutions 3
    • BA 484 Risk Management 3
    • BA 485 Financial Planning and Analysis 3
    • BA 488 Portfolio Theory 3
    • BA 351/A Statistics and Analytics II 4 & Excel II Lab

    Computational Finance Track (+Mathematics Minor) (43 credits):

    • BA 101 Financial Accounting II 3
    • BA/EC 353 International Finance 3
    • BA 362 Investments I: Securities 3
    • BA 363 Investments II: Derivatives 3
    • BA 367 Investment III: Alternative Assets 3
    • BA 385 Financial Institutions 3
    • BA 488 Portfolio Theory 3
    • MA 112 Analytical Calculus II 4
    • MA 211 Analytical Calculus III 4
    • MA-231 Methods of Proof 3
    • MA 251 Linear Algebra 3
    • MA 421 Real Analysis I 4
    • BA 351/A Statistics and Analytics II 4 & Excel II Lab

    Finance and Mathematics Major (55 -57 credits):

    • BA 101 Financial Accounting II 3
    • BA/EC 353 International Finance 3
    • BA 362 Investments I: Securities 3
    • BA 363 Investments II: Derivatives 3
    • BA 367 Investment III: Alternative Assets 3
    • BA 385 Financial Institutions 3
    • BA 488 Portfolio Theory 3
    • BA 351/A Statistics and Analytics II 4 & Excel II Lab
    • MA 112 Analytical Calculus II 4
    • MA 211 Analytical Calculus III 4
    • MA 212 Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations 4
    • MA 231 Methods of Proof 3
    • MA 251 Linear Algebra 3
    • MA 321 Complex Variables 3
    • MA 421 Real Analysis I 4
    • MA 422 Real Analysis II 4

    Take one of the following:

    • CS 110 C++ Programming I 3
    • CS 190 Programming Language Lab: Python 1
    • CS-270 Introduction to Numerical Computation 3
    • ENGR 115 Intro to Engineering Computation 3

    Behavioral Finance Track (+ Psychology Minor) (46 credits):

    • BA 101 Financial Accounting II 3
    • BA 324 Advanced Personal Financial Planning 3
    • BA 351/A Statistics and Analytics II 4 & Excel II Lab
    • BA/EC 353 International Finance 3
    • BA 362 Investments I: Securities 3
    • BA 363 Investments II: Derivatives 3
    • BA 367 Investment III: Alternative Assets 3
    • BA 385 Financial Institutions 3
    • BA 488 Portfolio Theory 3
    • PY 100 Intro to Psychology 3
    • PY 243 Abnormal Psychology 3
    • PY 260 Social Psychology 3
    • PY 308 Cognitive Psychology 3
    • PY 309 Learning 3
    • PY 382 Psychological Assessment 3

    International Business Major Requirements (36-47 credits):

    • BA 150 Managerial Accounting 3
    • BA-250 Global Business Management 3
    • BA 251 International Business 3
    • BA 351/A Statistics and Analytics II 4 & Excel II Lab
    • BA/EC 353 International Finance 3
    • BA 395 Global Marketing 3
    • Modern Languages: Two courses at the intermediate level or above. 6

    Choose 1 of the following:

    • BA 470 International Accounting 3
    • BA 525 Global Experience 2
    • PS 242 International Politics 3
    • PS 244 Comparative Politics 3

    Students are required to complete a minor in Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, Economics, or Operational Excellence. Majors are encouraged, but not required to study abroad for one semester.

  • Key Courses

    Investment I: Securities Explore the fundamentals of investing and financial markets in this introductory course. Topics include the time value of money, investment principles, market structures, and techniques for analyzing and valuing bonds and stocks. You'll also learn about interest rates, duration, and both fundamental and technical analysis—building a solid foundation for smart financial decision-making.

    Financial Institutions This course explores the role financial institutions play in the economy, focusing on how they manage assets and liabilities, navigate regulations, and operate within financial markets. You'll examine interest rate structures and gain insight into how theory connects with real-world financial practices.

    Investments III: Alternative Assets Gain an introduction to alternative investments and their role in portfolio management. You'll explore asset classes like hedge funds, private equity, private debt, and real assets, along with their performance, fee structures, and valuation techniques. The course also covers asset class-based portfolio strategies and the rationale behind diversifying beyond traditional investments.

Undergraduate Programs