Finance Degree

Finance Degree Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.)

About PennWest California's Finance Degree

Build the skills and knowledge to impact the bottom line.

Gain a competitive edge with the skills and strategies that today's employers need. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance at PennWest California combines business fundamentals with specialized courses so you'll be ready for a dynamic business environment.

In the finance degree program, you will complete business core courses for a strong foundation along with finance courses to develop focused expertise.    

Learn practical applications of finance fundamentals.   

Specialized work in finance examines such topics as investment management, financial markets and institutions, and personal finance.  The introductory course in financial management covers fundamental analytical skills used in the modern corporate world.   

 In the undergraduate finance program, you also will work on building quantitative, critical thinking and analytical skills. Students graduate not only with a demonstrated competence in their subject area, but also with the ability and tools to apply that knowledge. 

Finance students are also required to have a minor:

  • Some students choose a business discipline other than their major.
  • Other popular choices include psychology, communication studies, public relations, statistics, computer information systems, leadership, women's studies, Spanish and Arabic.
  • Students also may choose to complete dual majors or dual degrees with international studies or math.

PennWest California business graduates are ready for a wide range of career opportunities. Recent PennWest California business graduates also have gone on to graduate business programs at such top schools as the University of Pittsburgh, West Virginia University and the College of William and Mary, and to graduate economics programs at Youngstown State and Florida State.

Learn about our accelerated bachelor's-to-master's degree program.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

 Solid foundation: Completing PennWest California's 120-credit-hour bachelor's degree in finance means you'll be ready to explore many careers in business and industry. Your business core courses focus on the functional areas of business and business analytics. PennWest California business students gain an important professional advantage by also developing skills in critical thinking, communication and teamwork.   

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19:1 
Student-to-faculty ratio at PennWest California.
120 
Credit hours for the bachelor's degree in finance, which can be completed in eight semesters or four years.
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Degree Benefits

The bachelor's degree in finance program integrates business study with the liberal arts, natural and behavioral sciences, and modern quantitative and information technology methods.  You'll know the fundamentals from your business core courses and add a valuable specialization with your finance concentration. Instruction in the program focuses on student engagement and active learning, keeping you involved and engaged with your instructors and classmates. All courses in the program consider the critical role of globalization and rapid technological advance in all aspects of the business environment. You'll graduate ready to explore many professional career opportunities.

 
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Graduate Outcomes

Employment of business and financial operations occupations is projected to grow 8% through 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations, adding about 632,400 new jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. PennWest California business graduates are in many careers and professions, including accountant, banker, city manager, general manager, government agency administrator, hospital administrator, industrial relations manager, insurance agent, office manager, production manager, purchasing agent, sales manager, securities analyst and stock broker. Among the many companies and industries who choose to hire PennWest California business graduates are Aflac, Allegheny Steel, Bank of America, Clear Channel Media, Jackson Hewitt, T-Mobile, Tyco Electronics, U.S. Postal Service and Walmart.

 
Finance Degree (B.S.B.A.)
A professor and student look at a binder with statistics displayed on the wall behind them.

Expert Faculty

Our highly qualified business and economics faculty members have significant industry experience, as well as advanced degrees in their fields. They are dedicated to teaching PennWest California students the skills necessary for success in business. Our professors have earned MBAs and doctorates from such top schools as American University, City University of New York, George Washington University, Northeastern University, University of Rhode Island and Wayne State University.

A smiling PennWest California Graduate stands in front of a business desk.

Research Focus

PennWest California's undergraduate business administration program emphasizes the value of doing research. Students can work one-on-one with individual faculty members, or as part of the discipline-specific research methods course. Students also have the opportunity to work with PennWest California's Center for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship. The Center is PennWest California's one-stop shop for all things related to starting and maintaining a successful business. 

A PennWest California Graduate stands outside for a portrait.

Student Recognition

Student achievement in the business administration program is recognized in several ways. Qualified students can become members of Omicron Delta Epsilon, an honorary economics fraternity; Phi Beta Lambda - Future Business Leaders; Student Accounting Association;  Economics Club; Finance Club; American Marketing Association; and the Society for the Advancement of Management. Outstanding graduating seniors are recognized with awards for excellence.



Finance Degree Courses

Curriculum

Course Credits
General Education Courses 40 or 41
Building a Sense of Community
UNI 100 First-Year Seminar
1
Composition
ENG 101  English Composition I
3
Public Speaking
CDC 101  Public Speaking
3
Mathematics and Quantitative Literacy
MAT 181  College Algebra
3
Health and Wellness
Any Health and Wellness Course
3
Technological Literacy
MIS 201  Management Info Systems
3
Humanities
Any Humanities Course
3
Fine Arts
Any Fine Arts Course
3
Natural Sciences
Any Natural Science Course
3 or 4
Social Sciences
PSY 100  General Psychology
3
General Education Options
  • Any Ethics and Multicultural Awareness Emphasis Course
  • ENG 211  Business Writing  OR  ENG 102  Composition II
  • MAT 225  Business Statistics
  • BUS 281  Management Science I
12
   
Business Core Courses 30
ACC 200  Financial Accounting 3
ACC 321  Managerial Accounting 3
BUS 242  Business Law I 3
BUS 381  Management Science II 3
BUS 499  Integrated Strategic Capstone 3
ECO 201  Principles of Microeconomics 3
ECO 202  Principles of Macroeconomics 3
FIN 301  Financial Management 3
MGT 300  Principles of Management 3
MKT 300  Principles of Marketing 3
   
Required Major Courses 18
FIN 302  Adv. Financial Management 3
FIN 304  Personal Money Management 3
FIN 305  Investment Management 3
FIN 311  Financial Markets and Institutions 3
FIN 331  International Finance 3
FIN 335  Risk Management 3
   
Related Electives 9
Select 9 credits from the following:
  • FIN 341  Entrepreneurial Finance
  • FIN 420  SIE Exam Prep (also a Special Experience Course)
  • FIN 421  Series 7 Exam Prep
  • ECO 421  Applied Econometrics
  • FIN 492  Internship (also a Special Experience Course)
  • ACC, ECO, FIN, MIS courses, 300-level or above not already required or included in the "Business Core Courses" or "Required Major Courses" above
9
   
Required Minor/Certificate* 12
   
Free Electives 10 to 11
   
Total 120

Additional requirements, not counted toward the General Education requirements, include:

  • Special Experience Course (1 course required): Any Special Experience Course
  • Writing-Intensive Component Courses (2 courses required): BUS 499 Integrated Strategic Capstone AND Any ECO, MKT or MGT Writing-Intensive Course
  • Laboratory Course (1 course required): BUS 381 Management Science II

* Required Minor/Certificate: Students select one of the following minors or certificates: Accounting, Economics, Forensic Accounting, Human Resource Management, Management, Management Information Systems, or Marketing or the Certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship or Certificate in Spanish for Business. Students may select a different minor or certificate, with the approval of their adviser.

These minors are 21 credits; however, 9 of these credits are required in the “Business Core Courses” above. The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Certificate requires 15 credits; however, 3 credits are included in the major courses above."

Program Note: Students who complete dual degrees or dual majors do not have to complete a minor or certificate.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A) Programs

Bachelor's
Minors
  • Accounting
  • Arts Administration
  • Business
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Management Information Systems
  • Marketing