Undergraduate

Finance

Overview

Finance majors will focus on the study of financial institutions including banking and insurance, business, government financial management and personal financial management. Emphasis is on the analysis and development of financial principles in all areas of financial decision-making, as well as career preparation as financial analysts in business, insurance and banking, and government service.  Three tracks are available within the finance major - financial analysis, financial planning and financial services.

Plan of Study

Through judicious choice of electives, a student majoring in finance can complete a double major with economics, accounting, marketing, management information systems, international business. Additionally, a student can create a concentration within the field of finance in the areas of business finance, insurance company operations, financial institutions management, securities and investment analysis, international business, and public finance. Many of the courses offered in the finance major include training in specific skills such as micro-computer use, statistics and quantitative analysis, use of finance databases, and oral and written communications of finance topics in a professional manner.

Field of Concentration Curriculum

Finance/Financial Analysis Track (21 credits)
FIN 325 Investment Analysis (3 credits)
FIN 350 Financial Statement Analysis (3 credits)
FIN 401 Advanced Managerial Finance (3 credits)
Nine credits from the following (9 credits):
     ECO 315 Money and the FInancial System (3 credit)
     FIN 366 Finance Internship (3 credit)
     FIN 425 Security Analysis and Portfolio Management (3 credits)
     FIN 435 Portfolio Practicum I (3 credits)
     FIN 436 Portfolio Practicum II (3 credits)
     FIN 491 The Financial World: A Campus and Travel Course (3 credits)
     Three credits of Finance electives (3 credits)
Three credits from the following (3 credits):
     ACC 313 External Financial Reporting Issues (3 credits)
     ACC 315 Managerial Accounting for Decision Making (3 credits)
     ACC 538 International Accounting (3 credits)
     MBA 701 Accounting Applications Managerial Decision Making (3 credits)
     MSA 722 Fixed Income and Derivatives I (3 credits)
     MSA 724 Quantitative Analysis (3 credits)

Finance/Financial Planning Track (21 credits)
ACC 343 Principles of Taxation (3 credits)
FIN 340 Principles of Insurance (3 credits)
FIN 353 Personal Financial Planning (3 credits)
FIN 325 Investment Analysis (3 credits)
FIN 511 Retirement Planning (3 credits)
FIN 512 Estate Planning & Taxation (3 credits)
Three credits approved Finance electives (3 credits)

Finance/Financial Services Track (21 credits)
FIN 325 Investment Analysis (3 credits)
FIN 353 Personal Financial Planning (3 credits)
ECO 315 or FIN 361 Money & Fin Systems or Financial Institutions Management (3 credits)
Three credits of approved Marketing electives (3 credits)
Nine credits approved Finance electives (9 credits)

Finance/Insurance & Risk Management (21 credits)
ACC 343 Principles of Taxation (3 credits)
FIN 340 Principles of Insurance (3 credits)
FIN 325 Investment Analysis (3 credits)
FIN 512 Estate Planning & Taxation (3 credits)
FIN 513 Life Insurance Financial Planning (3 credits)
FIN 514 Planning for Business & Professionals (3 credits)
Three credits from the following (3 credits):
     BUS 401 Legal Aspects of Life Insurance (3 credits)
     FIN 353 Personal Financial Planning (3 credits)
     FIN 511 Retirement Planning (3 credits)
 

Outcomes

Graduates in finance find professional career opportunities in a wide variety of areas, including corporate finance, investments, money and capital markets.  

Entry level positions for students earning a BSBA in Finance include financial analyst, project manager, financial planning analyst, securities analyst, loan analyst, pension fund investments, group insurance sales, securities sales, credit manager, assistant treasurer, comptroller, mortgage and commercial loan officer, risk manager, personal lines insurance sales, underwriter, claims adjuster, and many others. A BSBA in Finance can also help in the preparation for a number of professional certifications including Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certificate in Management Accounting (CMA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), several real estate certifications, Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Risk Management (ARM), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

The average starting salary for a 2011 Creighton graduate in Finance was $48,000. 

New York Trip

Senior students have the chance to visit New York’s world financial center as part of their coursework, blending classroom and on-site study of finance. The trip includes tours of Wall Street, visits with top investment bankers and stock and commodities exchanges professionals, and opportunities for job interviews.

For more information, contact Dr. John Wingender.

Financial Management Association

FMA membership is open to anyone interested in financial management including freshman and sophomore students. The award-winning chapter focuses on professional development of the finance student through guest lectures, social events with local professionals, and chapter field trips to observe local and regional financial professionals at work. The FMA also sponsors a chapter of the National Honor Society which honors students with high academic performance and active participation in the FMA Chapter.

Portfolio Practicum

Portfolio Practicum is a two semester "hands-on" undergraduate course in the College of Business. The class oversees a student managed investment fund with approximately $2.5 million in equity investments for the Creighton University Endowment Fund. Eligible students apply for the class during the Spring semester of their Junior year. Applicants enter an interviews process to gain acceptance to the class for the following academic year. The Fall semester of the class focuses on equity research and valuation techniques. Students also will revalue the existing stocks in the portfolio. In the Spring semester, students learn about the concepts central to portfolio construction and portfolio management. Students also present investments they believe would be good additions to the portfolio. The student managed fund is held to the same level of accountability as other outside managers by the University Investment Committee. Students brief the committee on an annual basis regarding the investment decisions made during the previous year.

To learn more, visit the Portfolio Practicum website.