Program Overview

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Introduction to the Finance Program

The University of NebraskaLincoln offers a comprehensive finance program designed to equip students with a deep understanding of money, investments, and the impact of the market on the economy. Through this program, students gain essential skills in risk assessment, problem-solving, money management, and data analysis, enabling them to improve the financial health of businesses, organizations, and individuals.

Program Structure

The finance program at the University of NebraskaLincoln is structured to provide students with a thorough education in finance, including three distinct tracks: banking and risk management, investments, and general finance. The program requires 120 credit hours for completion.

Areas of Focus

• Banking and Risk Management
• General Finance
• Investments

The Nebraska Difference

The University of NebraskaLincoln's finance program is distinguished by several unique features, including:

• CFA Institute University Affiliated Program: The investments track is part of this prestigious program, which recognizes educational institutions that incorporate a significant portion of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge into their curriculum.
• Investors With Purpose Program: This program offers students the opportunity to explore wealth management through real-life discussions and interactions with business leaders.
• Trading Room: Equipped with 12 Bloomberg terminals, the same technology used on Wall Street, providing students with hands-on experience in financial analysis and portfolio management.
• Professional Enhancement Program: A unique program offering hands-on career development opportunities, including resume reviews, networking, and practice interviews with employers.

Program Features

CFA Institute University Affiliation Program

The investments track in the finance major is part of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program, indicating that the program covers at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge and emphasizes the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. This affiliation positions students well to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Gain Experience Through Hands-On Learning

Students learn finance by engaging in the work of financial professionals, supported by their classmates and professors. This hands-on learning approach includes case studies, simulations, in-class activities, and managing real portfolios.

Faculty as Experts and Mentors

The finance faculty at the University of NebraskaLincoln are leaders in both practice and research, publishing in top finance journals such as the Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, and Review of Financial Studies.

Notable Courses

To earn a bachelor's degree in finance, students take a comprehensive set of courses, including:

• Principles of Individual and Corporate Risk Management (FINA 338)
• Finance (FINA 361A)
• Real Estate Principles and Practice (FINA 382)
• Security Analysis and Warren Buffett Business Valuation Techniques (FINA 463)
• Investors With Purpose (FINA 464)
• Portfolio Practicum I and II (FINA 468 and 469)

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the finance program at the University of NebraskaLincoln are well-prepared for a variety of career paths, including:

• Finance management trainee
• Sales and trading analyst
• Consultant
• Business manager
• Assistant national bank examiner

Graduate Schools

Many graduates of the program go on to pursue advanced degrees at prestigious institutions, such as:

• Master of Science in Finance, Cass Business School
• Master of Science in Accounting, Notre Dame University
• Master of Science in Actuarial Science, University of Connecticut
• Master of Science in Finance, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• PhD in Finance, University of NebraskaLincoln

Outside the Classroom

Students are encouraged to engage in various extracurricular activities to enhance their collegiate experience, including:

• Participating in the Investors With Purpose Program
• Preparing for a career on Wall Street through accelerated curriculum and the Wall Street Scholars of Nebraska student organization
• Competing in case competitions, such as the CFA Research Challenge
• Joining the Big Red Investment Club to manage a real portfolio and present new equities

Featured Faculty

The Department of Finance boasts esteemed faculty members, including:

• Stanislava (Stas) Nikolova, Department Chair, Alice M. Dittman Chair of Banking and Finance, and Professor of Finance, who teaches Fixed Income Investments and has regulatory experience as a senior financial economist at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Academics & Experiential Learning

The program offers numerous opportunities for experiential learning, including:

• Creating and managing a virtual stock portfolio in the Investment Principles class
• Managing a $3 million dollar portfolio through a year-long course overseeing the Cornhusker Fund
• Gaining experience in making key management decisions for a financial institution using the ProBanker Simulation in the Bank Management class

Career Preparedness

Through the finance program, students develop essential skills for their future careers, including:

• Investigating financial trends to make educated decisions
• Developing strong Excel skills
• Learning financial analysis techniques to compare investment alternatives and create a sound investment portfolio

Community

Students can connect with peers and professionals through various organizations and initiatives, such as:

• The Big Red Investment Club
• The Wall Street Scholars of Nebraska
• The Center for Entrepreneurship's Husker Venture Fund
• The Big Red Resilience and Well-Being program, where students can serve as financial well-being coaches.