Finance Curriculum

Curriculum

Business Core Courses for Finance Major (30 Credits)

BE 161 Financial Accounting

In this introductory course, we will introduce students to accounting principles and procedures, and to the processes by which financial transactions are recorded, classified, and analyzed to help business decision-makers. Students will learn to prepare and interpret financial statements. This course is generally offered once a year. 3 credits

BE 162 Managerial Accounting

An introduction to the use of accounting information by managers. Topics include the use of accounting information for planning and control, performance evaluation, decision- making, and the statement of cash flows, as well as financial statement analysis. P: BE 161. This course is generally offered once a year. 3 credits

BE 135 Business Communications

This introductory course in written and oral communications will enable students to become more effective business communicators. Special focus is given to selecting and using visual aids and PowerPoint to enhance presentations. This course meets the “W” course requirement. This course is generally offered twice each year. 3 credits

BE 202 Statistics for Business and Economics

Students will be introduced to the basic principles of statistical analysis that are useful in effective business decision-making. Some topics covered include descriptive statistics, probability and random events, sampling, and estimation. P: MA 111. This course is generally offered twice each year. 3 credits

BE 204 Principles of Macroeconomics

Survey of introductory macroeconomics with focus on economic growth, unemployment, and inflation. Topics covered include national income, fiscal policy, money, the banking system, and monetary policy. Balance of payments and currency exchange rate issues are analyzed. General Education choice for Part B. This course is generally offered once a year. 3 credits

BE 205 Principles of Microeconomics

Microeconomic concepts and tools will be utilized to evaluate the economic behavior of individuals. The “invisible” market forces (price mechanism) and external forces (social, cultural, political, and legal forces) will be explored and examined from personal perspectives as well as their aggregate effect on the economy. General Education choice for Part B. This course is generally offered once a year. 3 credits

MG 131 Principles of Management

Students are introduced to the basic functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling the organization effectively and efficiently. Additional topics include social responsibility of the organization, decision-making, interpersonal skills, and organizational change. This course is generally offered once a year. 3 credits

MG 231 Principles of Marketing

This course introduces students to common methods of planning and implementing decisions with respect to product, price, promotion, and channels of distribution, as organizations strive to satisfy the needs and wants of the market while achieving the goals of the organization in a dynamic environment. This course is generally offered once a year. 3 credits

BE 334 Business Law

In this course, we study the basic legal principles that guide business relationships. Emphasis is placed on examination of the Uniform Commercial Code, contracts, sales, commercial paper, negotiable instruments, and business organizations. This course is generally offered twice each year. 3 credits

CIS 171 Business Spreadsheet Development

A detailed description of the use, design, and development of complex spreadsheets to solve business problems. Topics include graphing, macro development, and other advanced spreadsheet features and techniques. Principles of good spreadsheet design are emphasized throughout the course. Special emphasis will be placed on accounting software applications. Microsoft Excel is one of the packages used in this course. This course is generally offered once a year. 3 credits

Curriculum for Corporate Finance Concentration

Corporate Finance Concentration Courses (18 Credits)

BE 265 Corporate Financial Management

Students will study the financing, valuation, and organization of business firms. Topics include: financial analysis, capital budgeting, valuation of corporate assets, long and short-term sources of funding, and cost of capital. P: BE 162. This course is offered once a year. 3 credits

BE 225 Money and Banking

In this course we will study monetary systems and the role of money and banks in supporting the economy. Topics will include the structure and operation of financial markets, the behavior of interest rates, the operation of the banking industry, and the structure of the Federal Reserve System. General Education choice for Part C. This course is generally offered once a year. 3 credits

BE 227 The Stock Market

As stock markets take on a more important role in the investment plans of individuals, it becomes essential to know the fundamentals of how Wall Street and other financial centers work. In this course we will examine the various types of securities traded on Wall Street, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and futures and options. Students will also learn to understand financial news and to design and manage their own stock portfolios. This course is generally offered once a year. 3 credits

BE 361 Federal Income Taxation for Individuals

In this course, we study the theory and procedures of the Federal Income Tax System. Emphasis is placed on individual taxation using a forms-based approach. This course is generally offered every other year. 3 credits

MG 391 Business Capstone

The objective of this capstone course is to provide the student with the opportunity to integrate knowledge gained from all other business courses through the analysis of case studies and simulations. Students learn to formulate strategic decisions that guide the future direction of the organization. P: Senior standing and completion of BE 161, BE 205, MG 131, MG 231, and 5 courses in the student’s concentration. This course meets the “W” course requirement. This course is generally offered twice each year. 3 credits

Choose 1 Financial Planning Elective Course

BE 367 Fundamentals of Financial Planning and Insurance

This course will serve as introduction to the foundations and basic principles of financial planning. The topics covered in this class will include client behavior, investment management, debt management, risk management and insurance, basic income tax planning, cash flow planning, and the concept of time value of money to name a few. Students in this class will learn how individuals and families can develop a financial plan to achieve both their short-term and long-term goals.3 credits

BE 369 Retirement Planning

This course will focus on the importance of retirement planning from the perspectives of individuals and families in the accumulation, preservation, and distribution stages. Students will learn about how much money an individual or family will need to retire, how social security benefits work, and what the differences between an IRA and a 401k are to name a few. Students will also learn about the intricacies of other types of retirement plans and how tax planning plays an integral role in planning for retirement in an effective and efficient manner.3 credits

BE 370 Trusts, Gifts, and Estates

This course will focus on the movement of money during life and after death. Students in this course will cover topics such as the principles of trusts, gifting strategies and techniques, wills, durable powers of attorney, health care proxies, planning for generation-skipping transfers, probate avoidance, and the responsibilities of executors, administrators, and trustees to name a few. Students will also learn about transfer tax planning and how to maximize wealth to be passed on to future generations.3 credits

Curriculum for Personal Financial Planning Concentration

Personal Financial Planning Courses (18 Credits)

BE 367 Fundamentals of Financial Planning and Insurance*

BE 368 Investments and Capital Accumulation*

This course will focus on both the theoretical and practical concepts and strategies used by financial planners to build investment portfolios that are appropriate for individuals and families based on their goals, time horizon, and level of risk tolerance. Students in this class will learn how to invest for the preservation of capital, the production of income, and the growth in value by using technology and research techniques to study the importance of asset diversification, asset allocation, and asset location.3 credits

BE 369 Retirement Planning*

BE 370 Trusts, Gifts, and Estates*

BE 361 Federal Income Taxation for Individuals* (Existing Course)

BE 396 Financial Planning Capstone*

This course will be the culminating course in the Bachelor of Science in Finance, Personal Financial Planning Track program. Students will work through various mini-cases that focus on topics covered in previous financial planning courses in preparation for completing a comprehensive financial plan for a potential client. Students are expected to utilize knowledge and skills obtained in the other pre-requisite personal financial planning courses. Topics such as cash flow, income tax, insurance, investment, and estate planning, as well as quantitative skills and techniques, will be discussed throughout the course to ensure a comprehensive approach is taken in the financial plan development process. Prerequisites: Senior Standing and Permission of Program Director. 3 credits

*Courses are required to fulfill education requirement for CFP Certification.