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Finance

All programs offered by the Foster College of Business, Bradley University, are accredited by the AACSB International: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

FACULTY Professors Hatfield (Gerald Stephens Professor), Horvath, Sinha; Executive in Residence Funkhouser. Chair: Dr. Matt O'Brien

The Department of Finance serves finance majors, minors, as well as other students wishing to enroll in finance courses. Solid foundations in the fundamentals of these fields and the supporting areas of mathematics, communications, and the sciences, both natural and social, are stressed by departmental faculty. 

Social and professional activities available to students include the Financial Management Association and its National Honor Society.

Finance Major

Finance is the art and science of managing money and claims against money. The study of finance involves an analytic treatment of decision-making under conditions of risk and uncertainty. Graduates of this program are prepared to enter the dynamic and challenging world of finance or to continue their education in graduate school. Graduate programs and law schools attract many graduates. The finance major enables students to understand the problems of obtaining and using monetary resources. Students select options preparing them for work in corporate finance, the securities area, futures, forward markets, options markets, real estate, insurance, or personal financial planning.

Corporate

Students interested in corporate finance select courses providing a background in the various financial elements of corporate activities. Typically, financial management decisions involve capital budgeting and financing decisions as well as the daily activities associated with allocating and obtaining funds. A variety of optimization and modelling techniques are studied. The ability to develop a sound financial analysis of an opportunity is emphasized.

Securities

Students interested in the securities area select courses that will develop their skills in analyzing and selecting investment opportunities. Portfolio analysis as well as identification of individual security characteristics are stressed. The markets for securities of all types, domestic and international, are studied to provide an understanding of their opportunities and constraints. Implications of market efficiency are considered. The ability to develop a worthwhile and unique analysis of investments is emphasized.

Markets and Institutions

Students interested in financial institutions such as insurance companies, banks, pension funds, and finance companies select courses that will prepare them for positions in these organizations. Modern technology, globalization and newer ideas associated with managing financial institutions are of particular importance. The decision-making ability needed for proper management of progressive organizations is developed through a variety of rigorous courses.

Other

The curriculum structure is suitable for students planning graduate study or entrepreneurial activities. Many past students now own and operate their own businesses. Due to the highly quantitative nature of many areas of finance, the entering student is advised to have a strong mathematics background. Three years of algebra, one year of geometry, and a semester of trigonometry are recommended. 

Departmental requirements for a finance major

  • A total of 24 hours in finance courses including the core: FIN 322 Business Finance, FIN 325 Investment Analysis, FIN 328 Financial Institutions and Markets. 
  • FIN 494, Financial Strategy, plus a minimum of 3 additional hours in finance courses at the senior (4xx) level. These classes count as part of the required 24 hours in finance. 
  • Three hours from courses designated as “tools courses,” selected from:
    • Q M 326 Business Forecasting
    • Q M 364 Decision Support Systems
    • ECO 319 Introduction to Econometrics
    • ECO 418 Mathematical Economics
  • An approved three-hour functional area international course, selected from:
    • FIN 323 International Financial Management 
      Note: FIN 323 also counts as part of the required 24 hours in finance. 
    • ECO 390 International Monetary Economics
    • ECO 391 International Trade
  • MTH 122 Calculus II
  • At least three hours in accounting beyond ATG 157 and ATG 158, selected from:
    • ATG 314 Cost Accounting
    • ATG 301 Intermediate Accounting

Finance Minor

A Minor in Finance from Foster College of Business enhances your financial decision making skill as you pursue your chosen major. Students with finance minors understand the importance of monetary and financial factors in business functions, thereby expanding their knowledge and enriching job prospects.

Required Course

  • FIN 322 Business Finance

Electives: 12 hours from groups A and B

Group A Electives (Select 1)
  • Q M 263 Quantitative Analysis II
Group B Electives (Select 3)
  • FIN 323 International Financial Management
  • FIN 327 Derivative Securities
  • FIN 328 Financial Institutions and Markets
  • FIN 329 Commercial Bank Management
  • FIN 330 Financial Services Marketing
  • FIN 325 Investment Analysis
  • FIN 422 Financial Analysis
  • FIN 423 Advanced Business Finance
  • FIN 424 Capital Budgeting
  • FIN 425 Portfolio Theory and Management

This is the official catalog for the 2020-2021 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.