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:
“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
Since 2012, every Saint Vincent College finance major has secured employment in the field of finance upon graduation. This track record reflects the strength of our curriculum, the dedication of our faculty, and the real-world preparation of our students.
The Finance program at Saint Vincent College is a Certified Financial Planning (CFP) Registered Program meaning students may take the CFP exam upon graduation without needing additional courses. We are one of only two schools in Western PA with this distinction. SVC finance students who take the CFP exam have an 83% pass rate versus a national average of 65%.
Saint Vincent finance students consistently outperform national averages on professional certification exams. Both graduating seniors and alumni pass the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exams at significantly higher rates. For example, approximately 80% of our finance seniors who sit for the CFA Level I exam pass—compared to a national average in the mid-30% range.
College Raptor ranks SVC’s computational finance track #1 in Pennsylvania and #15 in the U.S.A. based on the program’s academic rigor.
The McKenna School offers SAP Business One Certification. SAP’s comprehensive business software suite is utilized by thousands of prominent world-class companies such as Kennametal Inc., Heinz Corporation, KPMG, Latrobe Specialty Steel Co. and Siemens.
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
Our students have secured jobs and internships at a variety of companies in their field such as:
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.
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):
Investment Management CFA Track (31 credits):
Investment Management CFP Track (40 credits)
Computational Finance Track (+Mathematics Minor) (43 credits):
Behavioral Finance Track (+ Psychology Minor) (46 credits):
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.
