Drive Growth and Risk Management Through Modern Financial Principles

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, you’ll develop the financial and analytical skills necessary to meet the challenges of this exciting field. Become an expert in personal finance, or the one employers turn to for financial statement analysis, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Some specific job responsibilities might include the following:

DEVELOP AND NURTURE RELATIONSHIPS WITH ORGANIZATIONS OR INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS.

CALCULATE DEBT REPAYMENT SCHEDULES AND MANAGE RISK.

APPLY LEGISLATIVE, REGULATORY, AND INDUSTRY PRINCIPLES TO FINANCIAL SCENARIOS.

IMPLEMENT CASH MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

LEARN MORE ABOUT FINANCE DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM SHEET

What will I learn in this degree program?

In this online bachelor’s degree program, you’ll learn the foundations of financial management at the enterprise level. You’ll gain insight on a range of perspectives on fiscal decision-making, as well as how to tackle important operational and analytical projects. Additionally, you’ll learn how to apply the latest technology and emerging business trends to shape financial strategies, risks, and investments.

This program also provides the opportunity to choose an emphasis for your studies. Select from Corporate Finance or Financial Planning. The emphasis in Corporate Finance will prepare students to serve as corporate financial analysts and careers in corporate finance, while Financial Planning includes coursework to prepare for the CFP entrance exam and successful transition into the career of a financial planner.

COURSES IN THIS DEGREE

The online bachelor's degree in finance program contains a total of 120 credits broken down into the following categories:

General Education Courses (31 Credits)

CSU Global’s General Education Courses are more than a bachelor’s degree requirement. They are designed to help you develop and strengthen valuable skills demanded in the workplace.

Already taken some courses? Up to 90 total credits (and 64 from community colleges) can be transferred into a bachelor’s degree at CSU Global. Request a Transcript Evaluation Summary to see how close you already are to graduation!

Learn More About General Education

Core Degree Courses (24 Credits)

ORG300 Applying Leadership Principles
The opportunities for students, in this first course, for all majors are to learn personal and professional leadership styles and drivers by providing an overview of leadership basics. Leadership skills are utilized across fields of study. Regardless of the roles individuals assume in an organization, they will need to communicate effectively, influence others, and understand the way they respond to others and why. The course engages students in discussion, exploration, and application of leadership skills, principles, and practices. Students will learn about the relationships and connections leaders have with individuals and organizations. Topics include leadership communication, motivation, style, and characteristics. Course not eligible for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit.
ACT301 Financial Accounting
This course is intended for the user of financial information. The goal of the course is to provide the tools for making more informed business decisions. Included are an analysis of the various financial statements, their use, and limitations in making business decisions. A detailed analysis of the components of the financial statement and their economic impact on wealth creation for the organization is emphasized. (This course is also offered through SSA. Credits earned using this option will appear on transcripts with an “S” suffix.)
MTH410 Quantitative Business Analysis
This course provides students with skills to analyze data and apply concepts of statistical analysis and research in a business context. Students formulate conclusions from data using descriptive and inferential statistical methods and expand on knowledge of the underlying theory behind types of data, data sources, data organization, measures of central tendency and variation, probability, and probability distributions.
COM420 Strategic Communication of Data Analytics
This course teaches the important skills of distinguishing types of data and communicating scientific and mathematical information in presentations by visualizing data. Students will learn ways to systematically collect, analyze, and interpret data, then translate technical, data-driven information to a lay audience. Students will examine how data analytics contributes to the formulation of policy decisions and the subsequent communication to stakeholders. Students will recognize how analytics applies to return on investment (ROI) within any career or field. Students prepare presentations using narrative strategies to create compelling, interesting talks based on data.
FIN400 Financial Statement Analysis
This course introduces the study of accounting principles to give students an understanding of the theory and logic that underlie basic accounting procedures and practices. It then focuses on reading, interpreting, and analyzing financial statements. Major topics include the underlying framework of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and comparison with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the accounting cycle, preparation of the four principal financial statements, and financial statements analysis as well as ratio analysis for strategic planning and decision making. (This course is also offered through SSA. Credits earned using this option will appear on transcripts with an “S” suffix.) This course is no longer available.

FIN310 Financial Analytics and Modeling
In this course, students apply the methodologies, techniques, and tools most commonly used in the analysis of financial data and creation of financial models. Drawing on methods of research from the fields of statistics, operations research, and information systems, students will use industry tools for visualization, inference, forecasting, and business optimization. The emphasis is on exposing the student to the techniques and software tools that are used in the industry to make informed financial decisions. Prerequisite: MTH410
FIN440 Financial Strategy and Forecasting
This course is designed to provide students with the business acumen needed to determine budget goals, use financial tools to create forecasts, and analyze factors contributing to budget and forecast variances. Using a case study approach, students will analyze and present financial variances and translate financial data to inform operational decision making.
FIN480* Capstone in Finance
In this final course in the program, students will have the opportunity to apply finance program learning outcomes by analyzing the financial operations of organizations or businesses. Students will select, based on their specific area of study, a project to demonstrate their understanding of basic and advanced financial principles, theories, and practices. Prerequisite: Completion of major area of study
FIN481* Capstone in Personal Finance
In this final course in the personal finance specialization and BS Finance program, students will demonstrate their technical financial planning knowledge and ability to integrate, apply and communicate this knowledge. They will demonstrate their ability to apply the financial planning process to real-life situations, as well as their ability to communicate their planning recommendations to a client.

* Students will take FIN480 or FIN481, depending on their choice of emphasis.

Required: Areas of Emphasis (12 Credits)

Corporate Finance

The emphasis in corporate finance will prepare students to serve as corporate financial analysts and careers in corporate finance. Topics will include principles of corporate finance, working capital, risk management, and corporate finance, and will involve mathematical equations and the use of industry software tools.

Emphasis Outcomes

Apply principles of corporate financial management including the interpretation of accounts, corporate governance, investment strategies and issues of risk and return.
Evaluate the link between financial decisions, attitudes toward risk, and corporate value through application of financial theory and techniques.
Develop a framework for valuation including the valuation of stocks and bonds, evaluation of investment opportunities, and firm valuation.
Examine a company's cost of capital and sources of external funding for company operations.

Courses in this emphasis include:

FIN330: Corporate Finance
FIN375: Working Capital Management
FIN332: Risk Management and Analysis
FIN333: Corporate Valuation

Financial Planning

The emphasis in financial planning is aligned to the CFP designation and includes coursework to prepare for the entrance exam for the CFP and for successful transition into the career of a financial planner. Topics include financial planning, insurance and retirements planning, and personal income tax planning.

Emphasis Outcomes

Explain regulations, requirements, standards and protections for professional conduct in financial planning.
Create a financial plan incorporating financial planning concepts, strategies, tools, and principles.
Explain and recommend appropriate insurance options based on client needs analysis.
Describe investment principles and strategies to assist client in portfolio development.
Discuss education planning and financing principles.
Analyze personal tax implications, consequences, and management techniques.
Develop retirement savings and income plan that includes estate planning.

Courses in this emphasis include:

FIN320: Introduction to Insurance and Investment Planning
FIN321: Retirement and Real Estate Planning
FIN322: Personal Income Tax Planning
FIN323: Developing the Financial Plan

Elective Courses (Remaining credits to reach 120 total credits)

The remainder of your online finance degree is comprised of courses of your choice that support your educational goals and needs. Including a specialization reduces the number of elective credits you'll need to complete your bachelor's degree.

How much will my degree cost?

Tuition Rates

Your education should increase your earning potential, not your monthly bills.

Learn More

Employer Discount

Your employer may be one of 3,000+ we partner with to offer a 10% discount on tuition.

Learn More

Financial Aid

You may be eligible to receive financial aid to help cover the cost of your education.

Learn More

REGIONALLY ACCREDITED

Regional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) means your degree comes from a top quality, trusted university.

TOP MILITARY-FRIENDLY ONLINE COLLEGE

Guide to Online Schools identifies CSU Global as one of the top military-friendly online institutions.

“GOLD SCHOOL” OF DISTINCTION

In Best Colleges’ Schools of Distinction standings, CSU Global earns one of only 15 gold rankings, out of more than 2,000 online degree programs.

Ready to Get Started? Learn More

“My greatest accomplishments have been being able to go back to school and manage a work-life balance. The schedule is challenging by gives me confidence that I can obtain my degree even in my thirties!”

KARIE WELKER

Business Management

Why You Should Earn Your Online Undergraduate Degree

At CSU Global, you get more than just a diploma. Our career-driven curricula are based on real-world concepts that help you excel in the workplace on day one. You’ll get training and experience from faculty who have worked in your chosen field. And because we know how hard it can be for modern learners to juggle education, work, and family responsibilities, we lock in your tuition rate so you can enjoy the same affordability for the duration of your enrollment.

ONLINE ACCREDITED DEGREES

NO SET TIMES OR LOCATIONS

MONTHLY CLASS START

ACCELERATED COURSES

Learn Valuable Skills

As a student in the online B.S. in Finance program, you will develop a strong understanding of the factors that influence financial decision-making, as well as the the critical-thinking strategies necessary in-depth financial problem solving.

Other learning outcomes include how to:

Apply terminology, theories, concepts, practices and skills specific to the field of finance.
Apply financial principals to practical business and personal finance situations.
Perform financial analysis using quantitative concepts and techniques.
Interpret financial statements and ratios.
Examine investment and financial risk.
Apply legislation, regulations, and principles of practice to financial scenarios.
Communicate professionally through writing and presentations..

Career Outlook

$85,660 MEDIAN SALARY

According to the BLS, the average annual salary for financial analysts in 2018 was over $85k.

↑ 16%

Employment of financial managers is projected to grow 16 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.

FINANCIAL MANAGER OR ANALYST, PERSONAL FINANCIAL ADVISER, & SECURITIES, COMMODITIES, AND FINANCIAL SERVICES SALES AGENTS

Some job titles commonly held by those who work in the field of finance.

$127,990 MEDIAN SALARY

According to the BLS, the average annual salary for financial managers in 2018 was well over $100k.

Finish Faster and For Less with Alternative Credit Options

Credit by Exam

You can get credit by taking exams for what you have already learned.

Learn More

Self-Study Assessments (SSA)

CSU Global will help you prepare to earn course credits for taking a proctored exam for specific content areas.

Learn More

CSU Global Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

Earn credit for what you have already learned in your career or other educational experience.

Learn More

ONLINE BACHELOR'S DEGREE INFINANCE

Want to learn more?