Finance

Finance Major Requirements and Courses

The BS in Finance program curriculum offers a balance of core finance and business courses, minor courses, general education, electives, and real-world learning opportunities. Courses you may take include:

• FIN 320: Investments
• FIN 330: Risk Management and Insurance
• FIN 340: Financial Institutions and Markets
• IBS 405: International Finance
• FIN 410: Managerial Finance II
• FIN 420: Derivative Securities
• FIN 430: Security Valuation

With a student-selected concentration area and an optional finance major internship, the Finance degree program is tailorable to your goals as an undergraduate.

Select a Minor Concentration

Every student in the Bachelor of Science in Finance degree program complements their degree with another area of study, deepening their experience and employability in a specialized field of their choice.

• Accounting Minor: Gain an understanding of taxes and accounting for private businesses and non-profit and governmental agencies.
• Business Analytics Minor: Data management and visualization techniques as well as in-depth training in data analytics.
• Economics Minor: Study economic principles related to business operations and real estate.
• Entrepreneurial Studies Minor: Immerse yourself in the process for successful entrepreneurship and develop real business ideas.
• Risk Management Minor: Get deeper experience in how to help organizations and individuals make the best financial decisions they can.

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance at York College of Pennsylvania

Pursue a Bachelor of Science in Finance degree at York College of Pennsylvania and gain the comprehensive training and real-world experience that prepares you for a range of finance roles and future career advancement.

Ready to launch your finance career with confidence? Request more information today.

Take the next step by visiting campus and beginning your application

Prepare for Financial Careers

With a BS in Finance, you can pursue entry-level positions in corporate finance, commercial and investment banking, financial planning, financial analysis, or risk management.

Begin your career in finance and financial services in roles such as:

• Financial or Budget Analyst
• Personal Financial Advisor
• Financial Manager
• Financial Planner
• Loan Officers or Credit Analyst
• Real Estate Broker or Real Estate Sales Agent
• Risk Analyst
• Wealth Manager
• Insurance Agent

Some roles, such as Certified Financial Planners (CFP) may require applicants to hold professional credentials, certifications, or licenses to practice in addition to a bachelor’s degree.

Alumni of York’s bachelor’s degree in Finance program have gone on to work for Aerotek, Glatfelter Insurance Group, T Rowe Price Associates, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Vanguard, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Federal Reserve Bank, BAE Systems, PFM Asset Management, Morgan Stanley, BNY Mellon, AXA advisors, and Northwestern Mutual.

Benefits of Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance

In addition to extremely competitive salaries, finance careers have many other benefits. This area of business expertise offers some of the strongest career outlooks, the highest-earning wage potential, and abundant leadership opportunities for those entering the profession.

Some of the most desirable benefits of pursuing a degree in finance include: 

• Opportunity to work with a wide range of employers in a variety of industries
• A stable career path with projected industry job growth
• Transferable skills that prepare you for a number of real-world job responsibilities
• A continually developing field that provides options for further learning, including specializations and certifications

Finance Degree Salary Outcomes

A bachelor’s degree in finance can help you qualify for rewarding roles at all stages of your career in this growing field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), occupations in the business and financial sector are projected to grow 7 percent from 2021 to 2031. Your on-the-job experience, professional certifications, location, and other factors influence your salary as a Finance program graduate.

Median salaries for common careers in finance from the BLS:

• Loan officers—$63,380/year
• Logisticians—$77,030/year
• Budget analysts—$79,940/year
• Financial examiners—$81,410/year
• Financial analysts—$95,570/year
• Personal financial advisors—$94,170/year
• Actuaries—$105,900/year
• Financial managers—$131,710/year

Readiness for Graduate School and Professional Training

Pursuing a graduate degree such as a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), Master of Finance (MFin), Master of Business Administration (MBA), or Master of Accounting (MAcc) can provide specialized training, elevate salary potential, and help you gain extra course credits or on-the-job training necessary for professional certification.

The BS in Finance degree program at York College of Pennsylvania offers excellent ground-floor preparation for pursuing advanced career pathways that require graduate-level training. Roles that you may advance to after gaining more training and experience include:

• Investment Banker
• Portfolio Manager
• Financial Controller
• Financial Risk Manager
• Quantitative Analyst

Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Pathway

In addition to confidently applying for graduate studies following completion of your four-year degree, Finance majors at York also have the option to pursue a 4+1 program leading to both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree during your time at York College.

York’s 4+1 degree option allows you to complete both a BS in Finance and a Master of Arts (MA) in Strategic Leadership and Management in as few as five years, amplifying your employability and experience in the fields of business and finance as you pursue career advancement.

Request information today to learn more about the BS/MA 4+1 pathway.

Finance Major Internships and Hands-On Learning

Real-world work experience with local, regional, or national organizations is highly encouraged. Finance majors may complete up to two three-credit internships that count toward their Bachelor of Science as electives.

The Graham School of Business and its faculty are entrenched in the financial industry, maintaining close relationships with a variety of companies and employers in the York area where Finance majors often find internship placements.

Learn about undergraduate internships at York College.

Become Bloomberg and Morningstar certified in the NASDAQ Trading Lab

The NASDAQ Trading Lab is where Finance majors get hands-on practice with the same software, devices, and services they’ll encounter in the workplace after graduation. All upper-level Finance classes meet in the Trading Lab, where students bring their understanding beyond classroom theories into real financial markets.

Housed in the Willman Business Center on Main Campus, the NASDAQ Trading Lab includes all of the following, in addition to other standard office software and classroom equipment: 

• A NASDAQ-sponsored ticker displaying real-time financial data and market information
• Four Apple TV screens displaying financial news
• 32 retractable student workstations
• An interactive Eno smart board
• A touch screen market wall
• Bloomberg terminals
• Morningstar Direct
• ProBanker
• StockTrak

In addition to familiarizing Finance majors with industry technology, the NASDAQ Trading Lab is an incubator for students wishing to become certified in Bloomberg and Morningstar software.

Learn about Graham School of Business facilities and the NASDAQ Training Lab.

Student Managed Fund

The Student Managed Fund is a student-run organization that provides members with the opportunity to invest with real money, allocated by the College’s endowment fund. 

Student participants follow a value-driven strategy as they research and make strategic choices for their investments. The Student Managed Fund began in 2016 with $250,000 and now exceeds a value of $400,000.

Apply to be a part of the Student Managed Fund.

Valuable Faculty Guidance

As you pursue your BS in Finance degree at York College, industry-trained faculty provide one-on-one support in both academic and career concerns. They ensure you understand common professional tools and financial technology, as well as engage your personal goals and interests.

Student Support

York College is where you can be as involved or as independent as you'd like, with support to help you achieve your goals in college and beyond. No matter the challenges you face along the way or experiences you want to pursue, our Student Success Division and Student Development and Campus Life resources will support you along the way.

Learn about the student support services and engagement opportunities at YCP:

• Counseling and mental health services
• Health services
• Residence life and housing
• Academic Success Center
• Student Accessibility Services
• Student organizations

Skills for Finance Careers

From knowing how to use Excel like a pro to communicating with clients and intermediaries, the skills you’ll learn as a Finance major at York College will help you every day in your finance or business career.

Through both academic and non-academic learning and development, you'll exhibit a wide range of skills essential to well-versed professionals:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Financial analysis and reporting
• Investment and portfolio management
• Risk assessment
• Market forecasting techniques
• Financial technology (fintech), including software applications and databases
• Effective communication and presentation skills

Confidently Pursue Finance Certifications

The Bachelor of Science in Finance degree program helps you prepare for further education and professional credentials after graduating.

If you are interested in pursuing one or more of the professional designations below, your support system at York will help you take the right courses and know what to expect from the certification process, including any remaining requirements.

• Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Certification
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Certification
• Financial Risk Manager (FRM) Certification

Accreditation & Professional Recognition

The Finance, B.S., program is accredited by ACBSP.

This accreditation focuses on recognizing teaching excellence, determining student learning outcomes, and a continuous improvement model. ACBSP’s student-centered teaching and learning approach, which is measured and analyzed for quality, ensures that students gain the right skills from their educational investment. Institutions with programs accredited by ACBSP are committed to continuous improvement that ensures their business program will give students the skills employers want.

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts many careers in business and finance fields, including financial analysts, actuaries, and personal financial advisors, will experience faster growth than the average for all occupations from 2021-2031. As global and emerging markets create new investment opportunities and boost economic growth, the demand for trained finance professionals is expected to increase in the upcoming years.

Finance majors study a range of topics related to financial management, investments, and the global financial system. Common subjects include:

• Financial analysis
• Corporate finance
• Investment management
• Risk management
• Financial markets
• Financial institutions

They also gain proficiency in financial modeling, data analysis, and decision-making techniques. The curriculum equips finance majors to excel in careers where duties include assessing financial performance, analyzing investment opportunities, managing risks, and making informed financial decisions

A finance degree opens up various career paths in both the corporate and financial service sectors. Finance graduates can pursue roles such as financial analyst, investment banker, portfolio manager, financial advisor, risk manager, or corporate finance specialist. They can work in industries such as:

• Banking
• Investment firms
• Consulting firms
• Insurance companies
• Corporate finance departments

With experience and additional credentials, finance majors can advance to higher-level positions, including executive roles in finance or specialized fields such as private equity, mergers, and acquisitions, or financial planning. Additionally, some finance majors choose to pursue graduate education, such as an MBA or specialized master's degree, to further enhance their career prospects.