Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Finance Major, B.S.


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Department of Finance  

College of Business  

  Available Program Format(s): In-Person  

About the Program


The Finance Degree is a Bachelor of Science Program within the College of Business. Students will complete all Finance Core classes and choose a required concentration in either General Finance or Financial Services. Students may add an optional International Business Concentration to their degree.

Student Outcomes


Students will receive a broad education in finance, the financial industry, and related regulatory institutions. Our curriculum is driven with purpose to make you a well-rounded, objective, and analytical financial authority with the managerial skills that can help you achieve a long and lucrative career.

  1. Demonstrate proficiency in core knowledge required of finance students.
  2. Demonstrate ability to organize, analyze and draw appropriate conclusions from financial information.
  3. Apply foundation knowledge and skills necessary to identify problems and generate feasible alternatives.
  4. Demonstrate ability to apply financial information to recommend and justify solutions to financial problems.

General Degree Requirements


To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements. 

Program Requirements


  • A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation. 
  • To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, a student must successfully complete 30 or more credit hours of business coursework at MSU Denver. This 30-hour residency requirement can be met by completing any business courses with the prefix ACC, ACCM, BNK, BUS, CIS, ECO, FIN, MGT, MKT, and REL. A student must complete at least twelve (12) upper-division semester hours in Finance at MSU Denver.
  • A grade of C or better is required for each majors course to count toward the bachelor’s degree. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required. 
  • A minor is not required for this program.

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits


Students should consult the General Studies Requirements  for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion. The Department recommends students complete an Arts and Humanities, Historical, or Natural and Physical Science elective that also meets the Global Diversity or Multicultural requirements.

 

** Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: Arts and Humanities; Historical; Natural and Physical Sciences; or Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Multicultural Requirement: 0 or 3 credits


Business Core: 36 credits


All business majors require foundation course work in all significant areas of business theory and practice. The following courses are required for all majors in finance. A grade of “C-” or better must be earned in each business core course to have that course count toward the Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.

College of Business Requirements: 15 credits


Finance Major Required Courses: 12 credits


Finance students will complete four Finance Core classes and a required concentration in either Financial Services or General Finance. The concentration includes two Upper Division (3000- or 4000-level) Finance electives, one 4000-level Finance elective, and a Finance Concentration capstone (FIN 4950, Financial Strategies and Policies, for General Finance and FIN 4600, Securities Analysis and Portfolio Management, for Financial Services).

Concentration Options (select one): 12 credits


Financial Services Concentration: 12 credits


In consultation with the Finance Department, students will complete three upper division Finance electives and FIN 4600, Securities Analysis and Portfolio Management, or FIN 4750, Seminar in Personal Financial Planning, (when offered). At least one Finance elective must be a 4000-level course. Upper Division Finance internships approved for academic credit will come in as FIN 3980. Students interested in pursuing a financial services career should consider taking FIN 3420, Principles of Insurance; FIN 3450, Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits; and FIN 4400, Estate Planning.

General Finance Concentration: 12 credits


In consultation with the Finance Department, students will complete three upper division Finance electives and FIN 4950, Financial Strategies and Policies. At least one Finance elective must be a 4000-level course. Upper Division Finance internships approved for academic credit will come in as FIN 3980.

Senior Experience: 3 credits


Summary of Requirements


General Studies Requirements 33 credits
Multicultural Requirement 0-3 credits
Business Core 36 credits
Additional Requirements 15 credits
Major Requirements 12 credits
Concentration Selection 12 credits
Senior Experience (counted in business core)
Unrestricted Electives 9-24 credits
Total for Finance Major, B.S. 120 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and Multicultural requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.

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