As a finance major, you will learn the fundamental concepts and tools to make informed and responsible financial decisions using data and creativity. Finance students know how to estimate economic value and evaluate the riskiness of a project or a financial asset, to advise firms about paying for projects, and to appraise a firm’s performance on the stock market. We successfully place our graduates in business, industry and non-profit organizations.
Background Information
AACSB International, The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, accredits the undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Business at North Dakota State University. The College of Business is one of only two accredited schools of business in North Dakota.
AACSB International is one of higher education’s most prestigious and rigorous accrediting bodies, stressing academic excellence and a commitment to continuous improvement. Less than 10 percent of business programs worldwide have this accreditation.
The Program
Business students take core courses that cover all of the functional areas of a business, from marketing to management and accounting. Finance courses build on this foundation to help students understand the way that businesses operate in a global economy. Courses cover corporate finance, international finance, investments, portfolio management and more. The finance program is approved as a CFA Institute University Affiliation Program which positions students well to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation, the most respected and recognized investment credential in the world. Your assignments might be project-driven or include group presentations so that you can practice what you learn in class. In addition to a thorough knowledge of finance, you’ll learn teamwork, effective written and oral communication skills, and leadership.
CERTIFICATE
Any student (degree-seeking or non-degree seeking) can enhance their employability by adding a Certificate in Finance to their major or credentials. The minimum number of credits is nine (9). Finance Certificate-seeking students must take Finance 320–Principles of Finance and then select two additional courses from the available course list.
HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
Business students can join the Bison Fund (Student Managed Investment Fund) to get a chance to manage a real-money investment fund worth more than $2.5 million using state-of-the-art Bloomberg terminals in the Commodities Trading Lab. The Bison Fund brings financial theory and investment practice together while providing students access to the same data used by Wall Street analysts.
Selective Admission
Students who wish to study finance at NDSU enroll as pre-finance majors in the College of Business for the first semester of their freshman year. Pre-finance majors then apply for admission to the major after completing the pre-major courses required for major admission, including ENGL 120, COMM 110, MATH 144, ECON 201 or 202, and PSYC 111 or SOC 110. Transfer students with appropriate course work may also apply. Please see a College of Business professional academic advisor for more information.
Admission to the major is based upon the successful completion of the pre-major course requirements and a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.50.
The Faculty
In order to provide a rigorous and timely educational experience, we have recruited and attracted faculty who are highly qualified to teach finance. Dedicated to student learning, our faculty have often been recognized for their teaching excellence by students and colleagues. The faculty employ a wide variety of instructional techniques and are considered especially strong in approaches to the study of organizations and management decision making. They remain current in their sub-fields of finance by actively engaging in research and constantly assisting firms in identifying and solving business problems.
The Practicum
Finance majors are encouraged to complete a three-credit practicum. The practicum is designed to enable students to relate finance concepts learned in the classroom to actual business situations and to give them a competitive edge in job placement.
Career Opportunities
Graduates with a finance major have opportunities in business, industry, government service, and the non-profit sector, both regionally and globally. Job opportunities for finance majors are found in corporate finance and the financial services industries, such as banking, insurance, brokerage, investment banking and financial planning. Median salary for finance majors is currently $67,800.
The College
The College of Business also offers majors in accounting, business administration, management, marketing, management information systems, and global business (second major only), as well as Master of Business Administration and Master of Accountancy degrees.
High School Preparation
It is recommended that high school students interested in studying finance at the university level take mathematics courses at least through pre-calculus. High school electives in the social sciences, English and communication would also be of benefit. Please speak with a professional advisor for more information.
Sample Program Guide
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This guide is not an official curriculum. This guide is a sample four-year degree plan of how students might plan this major with other degree requirements to complete their education in four years.Student plans will vary from this sample due to a variety of factors, such as, but not limited to, start year, education goals, transfer credit, and course availability. To ensure proper degree completion, enrolled students should utilize Degree Map and Schedule Planner in Campus Connection and consult regularly with academic advisors to ensure graduation requirements are being met.
