Indiana State University

The University offers a bachelor of science (BS) in finance.

The Finance Program provides the knowledge and training finance experts need to make and implement decisions regarding managing, investing, and distributing financial resources for businesses and individuals.

Coursework includes a required core of business courses plus one of the following concentrations:

• Financial Analysis and Investment Management Concentration (General Finance): The understanding and management of the financial interests of businesses, non-profit organizations, and individual investments is fundamental to the growth and success of the world's economy. Study in the finance program provides the knowledge and training financial experts need to make and implement decisions regarding managing, investing, and distributing financial resources within businesses and on individual levels. This concentration will help students prepare for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam.
• Financial Planning Concentration (Personal Financial Planning): The financial planning concentration provides an approved, practical, and theoretical approach to personal financial planning. Successful completion of the curriculum will satisfy the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards requirements for education and qualifies students to take the CFP Board Examination. The concentration provides students with information and analytical skills in financial planning, insurance, investments, portfolio management, employee and retirement benefits, tax planning, and estate planning.

In addition, students complete the University's Foundational Studies Program, which provides the knowledge students need in critical thinking, leadership, and interpersonal and communication skills.

The University's Finance Program is taught by professors who are qualified academic and financial professionals. Small classes encourage close interaction between faculty and students and ensure an education where classroom learning is combined with practical experiences to provide the latest training in technology to access and analyze information.

Practical field experiences, including internships that earn college credit, can lead to full-time jobs after graduation. Recent internship sites have included Conseco, Eli Lilly and Co., Northwest Airlines, Crane Naval Base, Lockheed Martin, Edward Jones, and Market Street Wealth Advisors. Upper-level students (juniors and seniors) also have opportunities to conduct research with faculty as part of the classroom experience.

Student may join the Financial Management Association, the Investment Club, and the Financial Planning Association. These organizations provide opportunities to interact with the business community through field trips, guest professional speakers, and social activities. Included among these activities are annual visits to financial markets in Chicago, Illinois, and participation in Financial Planning Day in Indianapolis.

Finance majors also may be invited to join the business honorary fraternity, Beta Gamma Sigma, or the professional business fraternities, Delta Sigma Pi and Alpha Kappa Psi. These organizations also provide professional learning and networking opportunities and social activities where students meet other finance majors, business students, and faculty.