Finance (FINCE)

Click here for program requirements as listed in Penn State's Undergraduate Degree Programs Bulletin.

This major is designed for students seeking careers in corporate finance, investment finance, banking, public finance, and international finance, as well as for those who intend to pursue graduate study in finance. Graduates may be prepared to seek certificates in financial analysis (CFA) and financial planning (CFP). Each student’s academic background is complemented with basic business instruction in accounting, marketing, and information systems. With Business and non-Business electives, the program is designed to develop necessary skills to be an effective financial manager. Because the Harrisburg area is the center of industry and economic development for southcentral Pennsylvania, students are provided with many opportunities to experience the world of business.

For a B.S. degree in Finance, a minimum of 122 credits is required. At least 50 percent of the Business credit hours required for the degree must be taken at Penn State Harrisburg. No more than 61 credits should be from Business and Business-related courses.

Opportunities in Finance

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Finance program at Penn State Harrisburg will find numerous challenging career opportunities in the world of business. Positions are found in the fields of commercial banking, corporate finance, insurance, investment banking, and real estate. In commercial banking, graduates find positions such as credit analyst, loan officer, branch manager, trust officer, or mortgage banker. In corporate finance, positions include treasurer, financial analyst, credit manager, cash manager, benefits officer, real estate officer, and investor relations officer. In investment banking, positions are found in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, project finance and trading, public finance, institutional sales, and retail brokerage. Entry-level positions exist in the insurance industry, where a Finance graduate may begin a career as an underwriter, sales representative, asset manager, customer service representative, or an actuary. Real estate firms employ Finance graduates in fields such as title insurance, mortgage banking, property management, real estate appraisals, brokerage and leasing, and in real estate development.

Accreditation

The Finance program and all other programs in the Penn State Harrisburg School of Business Administration have achieved accreditation from the AACSB.

Continued Study

The Finance major at Penn State Harrisburg will be prepared to pursue graduate education in finance or business. Students may then be prepared to seek certificates in financial analysis (CFA) and financial planning (CFP).

Internships

Each semester, Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Business Administration places student interns in a wide variety of businesses and agencies where they interact with professionals and participate in solving day-to-day problems. The internship opportunity provides students with increased understanding of principles learned in the classroom, the potential to develop a network of professional contacts, enhanced self-confidence and skills, and the ability to earn money for college and personal expenses. To participate in the internship program, a student must be enrolled in the School of Business Administration, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0, and be a second semester junior. Students also must have completed 6 credits in the major and have completed all Business core courses except BUS 364W and BUS 462. Interested students should contact the Internship Coordinator through the School of Business Administration office.

Clubs and Honor Societies

The School of Business Administration encourages student participation in the Finance Club, Sigma Iota Epsilon-the Management Honor Society, and Beta Gamma Sigma, the Business Honor Society of AACSB-accredited business schools.

Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment projections for financial managers, financial analysts and other financial specialists positions are projected to result in faster-than -average employment growth through 2010. The increasing need for financial expertise will spur employment growth for this career field in all areas. Strong computer and communication skills and knowledge of international finance are important skills for those entering the job market.