Finance Major
Why study finance at CMU?
The finance program at Central Michigan University helps to prepare students for careers in finance, including investments, financial institutions, and corporate finance. Consider these key features distinguishing this program at CMU:
- Courses that familiarize students with financial practice and theory used within modern corporations and financial institutions
- Internship opportunities for academic credit
- Personalized guidance from faculty members with significant background in many areas of finance
- Professional enrichment opportunities through involvement in student organizations such as the Financial Management Association
Career outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, for all occupations through the year 2014:
- Employment of financial managers and other related professions is expected to grow nine to 17 percent.
- The increasing need for financial expertise as a result of regulatory reforms and the expansion of the economy will drive job growth over the next decade.
- Organizations will continue to rely heavily on budget analysts to develop and analyze budgets.
- Because of the importance of financial analysis, employment should remain relatively unaffected by any downsizing in the nation's workplaces.
Career options
Graduates of the finance program at CMU will find a variety of career opportunities. Some of these may require additional education.
- Financial Manager
- Financial Analyst
- Money Manager
- Credit Manager
- Business Analyst
- Chief Financial Officer
- Bank Branch Manager
- Loan Counselor
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires.
For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin
AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education
courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Finance Major
The Finance Major prepares students for careers in banking, corporate finance, and investments.
( Total: 36 semester hours )
(9 hours)
Additional Common Body of Knowledge in Business Administration Courses
3
BUS 100 Essential Business Skills
Introduces students to the concept of a business, its disciplines, and essential business skills including decision making, team work, and oral and written communication.
3
BUS 300 Applied Business Statistics
Applications of statistical analysis to support business decision making. Covers collection of business data, analysis of business datasets, and presentation of results. Prerequisites: STA 282 or 382; Tier 2 Admission to Professional Business Studies.
3
MGT 499 Integrated Capstone-Strategic Management
An integrative capstone course applying and analyzing financial, marketing, supply chain and other business functions within a global strategic management perspective. Prerequisites: 86 semester hours completed; BUS 300, 301; MGT/MKT 303; FIN 302; MKT 304; Tier 2 Admission to Professional Business Studies. Preference given to graduating seniors.
(21 hours)
Required Courses
3
FIN 315 Principles of Investments
Provides students with basic knowledge about different investments and sources of information to enable them to make wiser investments and prepare to build portfolios. Prerequisites: 56 hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on a signed major or minor.
3
FIN 425 Options and Futures
Survey of markets for futures and options on financial securities and commodities. Valuation of futures/options and application for hedging risk. Prerequisites: FIN 302 or FIN 332, FIN 315 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on a signed major or minor.
3
FIN 442 Intermediate Financial Management
In-depth examination of financial management. Current theory and practices are discussed with applications including computer simulations, comprehensive cases, and a term project. Prerequisites: FIN 302 or FIN 332; 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on a signed major or minor.
3
FIN 448 Fundamental Financial Analysis
Methods of fundamental financial analysis necessary for evaluating and forecasting firm financial and operating performance. Prerequisites: FIN 302 or FIN 332; 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on a signed major or minor.
3
FIN 472 Money and Capital Markets
Survey of money and capital markets, strategies for growth, and timing of financial policy. Prerequisites: FIN 302 or FIN 332; ECO 201 or ECO 204, ECO 202 or ECO 203; 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on signed major or minor.
3
FIN 499 Advanced Financial Management
The capstone course in finance. Broad integrative topics within financial management are examined through cases, exams, and a written project. Required of finance majors. Prerequisites: FIN 332, FIN 442; 86 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on a signed major or minor. Recommended: FIN 448, FIN 472.
3
FIN 573 International Finance
Role of financial manager in international corporations. Environmental problems of foreign exchange. Techniques for making investment decisions, financing marketing operations, long-term capital structure and flow of funds. Prerequisites: FIN 302 or FIN 332; 56 semester hours completed and admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on signed major or minor.
Select hours from the following:
( Note: Any Finance course 300-level or above may be substituted in place of FIN 230. )
3
ACC 301 Intermediate Accounting I
Study of financial accounting processes, theory and principles. Includes analysis of financial statements and financial reporting issues. Pre/Co-Requisites: ACC 202 or ACC 255. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format.
3
ACC 302 Intermediate Accounting II
Continuation of ACC 301. Course includes in-depth study of special reporting issues related to financial accounting. Prerequisites: ACC 301; 56 semester hours completed, and admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on signed major or minor
3
ACC 311 Federal Income Taxation I
Basic concepts of federal income taxation, emphasizing individual taxpayers. Tax law covering taxable and excludable income, deductions, basis, tax-free exchanges, capital gains and losses, tax credits, deferral of tax, and depreciation. Prerequisites: 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on signed major or minor. Recommended: ACC 202 or 255
3
ACC 321 Managerial Cost Accounting
Accumulation and use of cost accounting information for planning and controlling. Process, job order, and standard cost systems. Prerequisites: ACC 202 or 255; STA 282 or 382; 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on signed major or minor.
3
FIN 335 Real Estate Principles
An introduction to real estate practice, institutions and participants with a focus on investment decision making, valuation, and debt financing. Prerequisite: ECO 202 or 203.