Finance program

Undergrad major

Is finance a good career path?

A finance degree is an excellent investment. Businesses and individuals worldwide need assistance analyzing their finances and assessing needs and opportunities. You'll join an in-demand field and have the opportunity to explore a range of careers in areas such as insurance, banking, personal financial planning, corporate finance, and investment and trust services.

UWL's program provides a strong foundation in core financial areas and offers many subfields to explore. Courses integrate real-world experience through case studies, management of investment portfolios and interaction with local and regional business leaders.

UWL's program is accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), placing it in the top 15 percent of business programs in the world today.

Finance definition

Finance is a career field involving the management of money. It includes activities such as investing, lending, borrowing, budgeting, forecasting and more. The three primary financial areas are: corporate finance, investments and financial institutions.

In these times, finding a good career post-graduation seemed insurmountable, but experiences with UWL professors were so helpful to me during the job-search process.

Sarah Ziolkowski

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What can I do with a finance degree?

Job titles and salaries of finance professionals vary considerably and are usually dependent on work setting and experience. A UWL bachelor's degree in finance can be the foundation for many finance positions. Examples include:

Entry level finance positions

  • Corporate finance
  • Personal banker
  • Securities broker
  • Financial analyst
  • Financial planner
  • Loan officer
  • Credit analyst
  • Insurance underwriter

Long-term career development

  • Budget director
  • Consultant
  • Controller
  • International trade manager
  • Loan officer
  • Risk manager
  • Senior financial analyst
  • Tax department manager

What distinguishes UWL's program?

Connect with other students

Student-led organizations in the College of Business Administration provide life-long relationships, learning and networking opportunities. 

AACSB accredited

The finance program is accredited by AACSB, placing it in the top 5% of business programs in the world today.

Flexibility — strengthen basics or branch out

UWL's program provides a strong foundation in the core financial areas of corporate finance, investments and financial institutions. Students have the flexibility to explore the basic areas in great detail or branch out to study other areas of finance, such as international finance, real estate, financial planning or insurance.

A student-managed investment fund

Students have access to state-of-the-art computers loaded with stock market data in the Kaplan Finance Lab. This data gives students hands-on experience managing the student investment portfolio, the Spellman Fund. Students in investment courses manage simulated, million-dollar portfolios. And advanced students gain experience investing real money in selected stocks and bonds.

A unique opportunity to study risk

UWL is one of few campuses to offer a major in finance with a risk, insurance and financial planning concentration. Students who choose to specialize in this area learn how to access risk and insurance as a means of handling major risks for individuals or business.

Internship opportunities and advanced electives

Students can take advantage of numerous internships that provide both college credit and personal experience in finance. Multiple electives at the senior level help students develop understanding and insights related to their potential career path.

Theoretical + practical

The finance program at UWL provides an excellent mix of theoretical and practical knowledge. Students are exposed to a variety of teaching methods, ranging from lectures and group discussions to problem-solving case analysis and independent studies.

A facility where modern and historic meet

UWL's College of Business Administration is located in the recently-renovated Wittich Hall. Changes to the facility preserve the history of UWL's second oldest building, while providing modern places to connect and study. The facility was renovated with student input. Student spaces include computer labs, study spaces, sales competition rooms, a finance lab and more.

Financial planning prep

Students are introduced to the primary components of financial planning. Students specializing in this area of finance can continue on to obtain professional recognition of their qualification and training by passing the examinations and any additional requirements for designation as a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), or Certified Financial Planner (CFP). The Personal Financial Planning concentration allows students to fulfill the educational requirements of the CFP Board, allowing students who have completed this concentration to sit for the CFP exam after graduation with no other external courses or education needed. The program is a CFP Board Registered Program.

Areas of study

Finance

Finance is a career field involving the management of money. It includes activities such as investing, lending, borrowing, budgeting, forecasting and more. The three primary financial areas are: corporate finance, investments and financial institutions.

Undergrad major View a sample plan for Finance Catalogfor Finance Learn more for Finance

Risk, Insurance & Financial Planning Concentration

Students who choose a risk, insurance & financial planning concentration learn about methods regarding treatment of risk and the utilization of insurance as a means to handle major risks in a business. Students are also introduced to the primary components of financial planning.

Undergrad major View a sample plan for Risk, Insurance & Financial Planning Catalogfor Risk, Insurance & Financial Planning

Personal Financial Planning Concentration

Undergrad major

Sample courses

FIN 370 Corporation Finance Comprehensive study of current theories concerning the valuation of the firm and its capital structure. Topics emphasized are risk analysis, capital structure, dividend theories, cost of capital, capital budgeting and management of working capital. Prerequisite: FIN 355; admission to business. Offered Fall, Spring.

FIN 380 Principles of Investment The study of investment instruments. Topics include: valuation of common and preferred stocks, bonds, options, futures contracts, real estate, and several other securities and commodities. The risk associated with each form of investment, construction and management of investment portfolios, investment databases, and current trends in investments are studied. Prerequisite: FIN 355; admission to business. Offered Fall, Spring.

FIN 390 Money and Capital Markets This course examines the various types of financial institutions and their functions in the financial markets and includes a discussion of the processes, current trends, and regulations in money and capital markets. Financial risks will also be discussed in addition to risk measurement and management methods. Prerequisite: FIN 355; admission to business. Offered Fall, Spring.

FIN 485 Problems and Cases in Finance This course provides students with the opportunity to practice financial decision-making by developing solutions to case problems while requiring them to apply knowledge from previous finance courses, use and develop oral and written communication skills, critical thinking and analytical skills, creativity, and judgment. This course assumes the viewpoint of a financial manager confronted with a variety of decisions on how to best raise, procure, and manage capital. Course topics focus on the typical concerns of a financial manager, including short- and long-term investment and financing decisions, dividend policy, and the costs and characteristics of various sources of capital, etc. Prerequisite: FIN 370; admission to business. Offered Fall, Spring.

FIN 360 Principles of Insurance and Risk Management A survey of insurance and risk management concepts, the insurance industry and common insurance contracts. Topics include: types of insurers, functions of insurers, legal principles of insurance, and analysis of property, liability, life and health contracts. Special emphasis will be placed on personal insurance for the home, automobile, life and health. Prerequisite: ACC 221. Offered Fall, Spring.

FIN 408 Retirement Planning An overview of retirement planning is provided, presenting the primary differences between pension, profit sharing, and non-qualified retirement plans. Common retirement plans are reviewed in more detail, including eligibility, vesting, contribution limits, coverage, and distributions. The course is designed for those entering the financial planning or benefits professions. The course provides substantive content in preparation for a variety of financial planning or retirement planning certifications including the Certified Retirement Counselor Program or the retirement planning component of the Certified Financial Planner program. Prerequisite: FIN 355; senior standing; admission to business. Offered Occasionally.

FIN 410 Management of Financial Institutions The management of commercial banks and other deposit-type financial institutions. Emphasis is placed on the environment in which financial institutions operate, its changing nature, and managerial decision making within that environment. Specific topics include loan and investment policies, asset/liability management, management of investment risk, and regulation of financial institutions. Prerequisite: FIN 390 or ECO 301; admission to business. Offered Occasionally.

FIN 456 Real Estate Principles Survey of real estate principles and practices, the economic environment and valuation. Topics include: nature of real property; organization and structure of real-estate markets; alternative land uses; financing and valuation of real estate; and the legal environment. Prerequisite: FIN 355; junior standing; admission to business. Offered Occasionally.

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