Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Finance at Xavier University is designed to develop an appreciation of financial management and financial operations. The program delivers personalized instruction from industry experts in the Jesuit Catholic tradition.

Curriculum

The comprehensive curriculum explores how to invest, allocate resources, and manage cash flows at top companies and financial institutions. Through challenging coursework and hands-on experience, students graduate with a wealth of knowledge and competencies that help launch a rewarding career.

First Year

• Fall:
  • MATH 140 or 170: Calculus (3cr.)
  • ENGL 101: English Composition (3cr.)
  • Second Language Elective (3cr.)
  • ACCT 200: Introductory Financial Accounting (3cr.)
  • BUAD 101: The Business Profession (0cr.)
  • CORE 100: First Year Seminar (3cr.)
  • CORE 101: GOA First Year Experience (0cr.)
• Spring:
  • THEO 111: Theological Foundations (3cr.)
  • Historical Perspectives Elective (3cr.)
  • Second Language Elective (3cr.)
  • ECON 200: Microeconomic Principles (3cr.)
  • BAIS 220: Management of Business Technology (3cr.)
  • BUAD 102: The Business Profession I (0cr.)
  • CORE 102 (0cr.)

Sophomore Year

• Fall:
  • ECON 201: Macroeconomic Principles (3cr.)
  • FINC 300: Business Finance (3cr.)
  • PHIL 100: Ethics as Intro to Philosophy (3cr.)
  • BUAD 201: The Business Profession II (3cr.)
  • BAIS 210: Quantitative Methods (3cr.)
  • Creative Perspectives (3cr.)
• Spring:
  • MKTG 300: Principles of Marketing (3cr.)
  • ACCT 201: Introductory Managerial Accounting (3cr.)
  • BAIS 211: Introduction to Business Analytics (3cr.)
  • Theological Perspectives (3cr.)
  • Scientific Perspectives & Lab (3cr.)
  • BUAD 202: The Business Profession II (0cr.)

Junior Year

• Fall:
  • PHIL 200: Philosophical Perspectives (3cr.)
  • MGMT 201: Business & Professional Communication (OC/WRIT flags) (3cr.)
  • Business Elective, FINC 490 or Internship for Credit (3cr.)
  • FINC 350: Financial Statement Analysis (3cr.)
  • FINC 365: Investments (3cr.)
  • BUAD 301: The Business Profession III (0cr.)
• Spring:
  • MGMT 200: Organizational Management (3cr.)
  • ECON 300: International Trade & Business Environment (3cr.)
  • FINC 385: Financial Modeling (3cr.)
  • FINC Elective (3cr.)
  • General Elective (3cr.)
  • BUAD 302: The Business Profession III (0cr.)

Senior Year

• Fall:
  • Humanities Elective (3cr.)
  • Natural Science Elective and Lab (3cr.)
  • BLAW 300: Legal Environment (ERS/DCR flags) (3cr.)
  • FINC 401: Financial Management (3cr.)
  • FINC Elective (3cr.)
  • BUAD 401: The Business Profession IV (0cr.)
• Spring:
  • ENGL 205: Literature & Moral Imagination (3cr.)
  • MGMT 302: Quality & Productivity in Operations (3cr.)
  • Business Core Capstone (3cr.)
  • FINC Capstone (492 or 495) (3cr.)
  • General Elective (3cr.)
  • BUAD 402: The Business Profession IV (0cr.)
  • CORE 499: Reflection on the Core Curriculum (0cr.)

Outcomes

98% of Xavier students, including those in the finance major, are working, volunteering, or in graduate school within six months of graduating (Class of 2023).

Recent Student Job Placements

• Fifth Third Bank
• Fidelity Investments
• Grant Thorton
• U.S. Bank
• Medpace
• UBS Financial Services
• Morgan Stanley
• J.P. Morgan
• Total Quality Logistics
• Bon Secours Mercy Health
• Ernst & Young
• PNC Bank
• KeyBank
• General Electric
• Deloitte

Rewarding Career Paths

• Accountant
• Auditor
• Budget Analyst
• Credit Analyst
• Financial Analyst
• Financial Planner
• Hedge Fund Manager
• Investor Relations Associate
• Investment Banking Analyst
• Personal Financial Advisor
• Tax Associate
• Venture Capitalist

Sample Courses

FINC 365: Investments

This course introduces techniques for analyzing investments in equities, fixed-income securities, options, and futures. Students become well-acquainted with asset selection and risk management.

FINC 385: Financial Modeling

In this course, students learn how to apply financial modeling techniques in the identification, analysis, and solution of economic problems. Additionally, they study financial forecasting, valuation, and risk analysis.

FINC 401: Intermediate Financial Management

Intermediate Financial Management examines the issues of capital budgeting, capital structure, cost of capital, payout policy, and working capital management at the intermediate level. In this class, students also explore corporate governance and corporate risk management.

FINC 495: Cases and Problems in Finance

As a capstone to the finance major, this class integrates material from the other required finance courses to solidify students' expertise. Students strengthen their decision-making abilities by investigating case studies in financial analysis, capital budgeting, capital structure, valuation, etc.

Clubs

Finance Association

Join Xavier’s Finance Association to network with finance executives, learn about finance careers, and bond with fellow finance majors.

Business Leaders for Tomorrow

Explore business processes firsthand and network with various business leaders in Cincinnati and beyond.

Minorities in Business

M.I.B’s mission is to create a vibrant and supportive community that fuels members' professional growth.

Women In Business (XWIB)

XWIB strives to prepare and empower women to be tomorrow’s leaders through professional training, personal development workshops, mentoring, and service.

Related Programs

Related Majors

• Accounting
• Economics
• Management

Related Minors

• Information Technology
• Economics
• International Business
• Entrepreneurship

Related Graduate Programs

• Master of Business Administration
• Accountancy

Program Features

Develop essential investing skills through two student-managed investment funds with a combined market value of over $10 million.

Alumni Making an Impact

Lauren DiFiore (Finance, '19) - Relationship Manager at Rockefeller Capital Management Carson Rayhill (Finance, 22) - Junior Data Scientist Consultant at The World Bank Kirsten Comment (Finance, ‘19) - Investment Specialist at J.P. Morgan Private Bank

FAQ

What jobs can you get with a degree in finance?

• Accountant: Prepare and analyze financial statements, ensuring accurate and reliable financial information.
• Auditor: Examine financial records and systems to assess their accuracy and compliance with regulations.
• Budget Analyst: Develop and manage budgets for organizations, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
• Credit Analyst: Evaluate the creditworthiness of individuals or businesses to assess their ability to repay loans.
• Financial Analyst: Analyze financial data and trends to provide insights and recommendations for investment decisions.
• Financial Planner: Help individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals by providing personalized advice and strategies.
• Hedge Fund Manager: Oversee investment portfolios that seek to generate returns through various strategies, including arbitrage, market neutral, and directional.
• Investor Relations Associate: Communicate with investors and analysts, providing information about a company's financial performance and future prospects.
• Investment Banking Analyst: Assist in mergers and acquisitions, valuations, and other corporate finance activities.
• Personal Financial Advisor: Provide personalized financial advice and guidance to individuals and families.
• Tax Associate: Prepare and file tax returns for individuals and businesses, ensuring compliance with tax laws and regulations.
• Venture Capitalist: Invest in early-stage companies with high growth potential, providing funding and mentorship.

Is Xavier’s finance major accredited?

The Williams College of Business at Xavier University is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). With this distinguished accreditation, the finance degree program guarantees an unparalleled education that prepares students for a globalized business world.

Does Xavier offer an honors program for finance majors?

The Smith Scholars Honors Program offers finance students a more innovative, challenging curriculum in a cohort setting. This highly-selective program emphasizes experiential learning through funded global travel, work-study opportunities, and close connections and support from professors and peers.