Program Overview
College of Business and Technology (Business Programs)
B.S. in Finance
Overview
The Bachelor of Science degree program in Finance is designed to prepare students for careers in finance, both at the corporate and small business level, financial planning, stock brokerage firms, and financial institutions. The program focuses on providing the student with both practical and theoretical training in the field of finance.
Program of Study
Course offerings focus on skills and competencies that enhance students' knowledge of finance. The program provides a balanced array of course work in finance at the junior and senior levels. Students also have opportunities to pursue internships in various areas of finance. In addition, the general education requirements provide a well-rounded academic foundation.
Cooperative Learning Experiences
Cooperative learning experiences (co-op) are available in the Finance program for FIN 301 Personal Finance and FIN 302 Financial Planning. Depending on the co-op experience available and the student's course completion schedule, other courses such as BBM 301 Organizational Behavior may also be completed as co-ops. Elective courses may also be structured as co-ops. Each co-op experience is expected to last for two consecutive semesters and earn the student six credits toward their 120-credit degree.
To be eligible for the co-op, the student must have completed 60 credits and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. The student must contact their program chair one semester before they would like to begin their co-op assignment.
Program Competencies
In addition to achieving the Wilmington University undergraduate graduation competencies, this program will provide students a comprehensive curriculum in financial studies (both domestic and international) that includes the theories, principles, and applications of modern financial management.
Graduating students will:
- Demonstrate oral and written communication skills, presenting financial research, analyses, and recommendations clearly and professionally, while collaborating with teams and stakeholders across financial contexts.
- Demonstrate leadership qualities through mentorship, experiential learning, and self-reflection, applying these skills to influence and lead within professional financial environments, promoting ethical practices and sound decision-making.
- Apply critical thinking, analytical skills, and adaptability to evaluate financial information, formulating appropriate decisions and recommendations that address real-world financial challenges across various financial institutions.
- Demonstrate advanced research skills, data analysis, and proficiency in digital tools, utilizing these to effectively communicate financial information and navigate the complexities of global financial markets.
- Apply ethical principles and a global perspective into financial practices, demonstrating personal integrity and professional responsibility within diverse and dynamic financial environments.
Minimum Grade Policy
Students pursuing a degree in Finance are required by College of Business policy to attain a minimum grade of "C" for all program core courses. For the purpose of this policy, program core courses are all finance courses. These courses are designated by the prefix "FIN."
Curriculum
General Education Requirements (39 credits)
- English Composition (12 credits)
- ENG 121 English Composition I
- ENG 122 English Composition II
- ENG 131 Public Speaking
- ENG 310 Research Writing
- Humanities (6 credits)
- VFP 313 Aesthetics of Film
- DSN 110 Fundamentals of Drawing
- TEC 215 Basic Photography
- COM 245 Writing for the Media
- Culinary Arts Elective
- Drama Elective
- Ethnic Studies Elective
- Fine Arts Elective
- Foreign Language Elective
- History Elective
- Humanities Elective
- Literature Elective
- Music Elective
- Philosophy Elective
- Religion Elective
- Social Science (6 credits)
- ECO 101 Economics I
- PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
- OR
- SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
- Mathematics (3 credits)
- MAT 205 Introductory Survey of Mathematics
- Natural Science (3 or 4 Credits)
- Natural Science Elective
- Computer Operations (3 credits)
- CTA 326 Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving
- Critical Analysis (3 credits)
- PHI 100 Introduction to Critical Thinking
- Citizenship (3 credits)
- HIS 381 Contemporary Global Issues
Business Core (30 credits)
- BAC 101 Accounting I
- BAC 102 Accounting II
- BBA 301 Intro to Business Analytics
- BBM 201 Principles of Management
- BBM 301 Organizational Behavior
- BBM 320 Business Communications
- BBM 402 Strategic Management
- BMK 305 Marketing
- FIN 305 Financial Management
- MAT 312 Business Statistics
- Note: BBM 301 is available as a co-op.
Finance Program Core (33 credits)
- BLA 303 Legal and Ethical Environment of Business
- ECO 102 Economics II
- FIN 302 Financial Planning
- FIN 306 Corporate Finance
- FIN 320 FinTech Fundamentals
- FIN 399 Bad Finance: Greed & Fear
- FIN 410 Financial Reporting and Analysis
- Note: Upper Level finance (FIN) courses are not offered every semester. Students should plan ahead by completing all pre-requisites as soon as possible in order to take the junior and senior level finance courses when they are offered.
- Select one of the following two courses:
- BBM 411 Operations and Systems Management
- HRM 311 Human Resource Management
- Select one of the following two courses:
- FIN 308 Financial Economics and Instruments
- FIN 309 Introduction to Global Derivatives
- Select two of the following four courses:
- BAC 330 Financial Fraud Examination
- ECO 321 Economics of Money and Banking
- FIN 411 Investments and Security Analysis
- FIN 412 Financial Institution Management
- Note: Upper Level finance (FIN) courses are not offered every semester. Students should plan ahead by completing all pre-requisites as soon as possible in order to take the junior and senior level finance courses when they are offered.
Business Electives (6 credits)
- Suggested electives:
- BAC 201 Intermediate Accounting I
- BAC 301 Cost Accounting I
- Business Elective
- Business Elective
- Note: Certain courses may be available as a co-op.
Free Electives (12 credits)
- Free Elective
- Free Elective
- Free Elective
- Free Elective
- Note: Students with less than 16 transfer credits are required to take FYE 101 as one of their electives.
Finance with a Concentration in Nonprofit Management
The nonprofit industry is one of the fastest growing employers. The industry is seeking out marketers, HR professionals, and managers with an interest in strategic planning within the nonprofit industry. This nonprofit concentration will focus on the following content areas: Introduction to nonprofits, fiscal management, advocacy and public policy, and one specific identified nonprofit course in the student's program.
Core Requirements (12 credits)
- NFP 303 Foundations of Fiscal Management for Nonprofit
- NFP 304 Advocacy and Public Policy
- NFP 305 Introduction to Nonprofit Management
- NFP 308 Grant Writing for Nonprofits
- OR
- BBM 381 Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship
Program Specific Requirements (3 credits)
- Students can choose ONE of the following 4 courses:
- FIN 331 Finance for Nonprofit
- HRM 361 HRM in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
- NFP 307 Fundraising for Nonprofits
- SPM 309 Sport and Athletics Fundraising
- Note: Students may substitute any program specific course for an alternate NFP course of their choosing or an internship.
Finance Completion Degree
What is a Completion Degree?
A completion degree is a personalized version of a bachelor's degree created exclusively for students who have completed an associate degree at an accredited institution. Completion degrees are available for most Wilmington University Bachelor of Science degrees.
Curriculum
Transfer students who hold an associate degree from a partner institution are required to take the following Finance courses. The College of Business programs require a minimum grade of "C" for Business Finance Program Core Courses. Students receiving a grade lower than "C" in any required program core course must retake that course.
Business Finance Program Core Courses
- BLA 303 Legal and Ethical Environment of Business
- FIN 302 Financial Planning
- FIN 306 Corporate Finance
- FIN 308 Financial Economics and Instruments
- FIN 399 Bad Finance: Greed & Fear
- FIN 410 Financial Reporting and Analysis
Choose one of the following two courses:
- BBM 411 Operations and Systems Management
- HRM 311 Human Resource Management
Select two of the following four courses:
- BAC 330 Financial Fraud Examination
- ECO 321 Economics of Money and Banking
- FIN 411 Investments and Security Analysis
- FIN 412 Financial Institution Management
- Note: Upper Level finance (FIN) courses are not offered every semester. Students should plan ahead by completing all pre-requisites as soon as possible in order to take the junior and senior level finance courses when they are offered.
Completion Degree Required Courses
- BBM 320 Business Communications
- BBM 402 Strategic Management
- FIN 305 Financial Management
- FIN 320 FinTech Fundamentals
- MAT 312 Business Statistics
Dual-Credit ADVANTAGE Accelerated Option
Through Dual-Credit ADVANTAGE, this accelerated program option allows eligible College of Business students to take up to four selected graduate-level courses in place of selected undergraduate courses. It provides the opportunity to be formally accepted into the M.S. in Management or MBA graduate program prior to completion of their bachelor's degree.
To be eligible, students must have completed 75 undergraduate credits, obtained an overall GPA of 3.0 or better, and have specific undergraduate courses remaining in their program. Please schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor to learn if you are eligible to participate in this program and determine your concentration-specific course substitutions and requirements.