University Catalogues

Finance Major

Finance is the study of the purchase and sale of assets by individuals and institutions. Understanding the markets and the terms of financial transactions in a global context is integral to the study of finance. Finance majors develop analytical skills through required courses that emphasize the financial environment of business, the decision-making process of corporations, key principles underlying the investment and valuation process, and the expanding international context of financial analysis, portfolio construction and trading.

Finance majors use real-time data in the Trading Room, housed in the Hughey Center for Financial Services, where students apply theory and information technology to financial analysis, asset valuation and risk management. The broad range of electives offered allows for specialization through concentrations in Financial Planning, Corporate Finance, Capital Markets and Sustainable Investing. Students are encouraged to participate in internships (paid or unpaid) as part of the Finance major, and often have their pick from a variety of career choices in commercial banking, corporate finance, financial planning, insurance, money management and more. The Finance degree provides sound preparation for career opportunities in management training programs of major corporations, financial services firms, insurance and financial planning and also for graduate education in business, finance, law and other disciplines.

In addition to the specific major requirements described below, students must also complete all designated requirements in Foundations for Success, Contexts & Perspectives in the Arts & Sciences, Business Dynamics, Communication Intensive coursework, and the additional degree requirements for business majors.  Details can be found in the Degree Requirements section of the catalogue, including the Overview and the Business Majors tabs.

Course Title Credits
Program Requirements
EC 112Principles of Macroeconomics3
FI 305Principles of Accounting and Finance3
FI 306Financial Markets and Investment3
FI 307Advanced Managerial Finance3
FI 347Financial Modeling3
FI 351International Finance3
Select a concentration9
Total Credits27
Course Title Credits
Concentration Requirements
FI 335Derivatives3
Choose two of the following: 6
Quantitative Portfolio Management
Equity Research
Sustainable, Responsible, and Impact (SRI) Investing
Mutual Fund Operations and Management
Operations of Financial Institutions
Fixed Income Securities
Advanced Financial Modeling
Internship in Finance
Introduction to FinTech
Blockchain Applications and Decentralized Finance
Investment Applications of Natural Language Processing
Subject to department permission, any other relevant elective.
Total Credits9
Course Title Credits
Required Courses
FI 345Applied Corporate Finance3
Choose two of the following: 6
Equity Research
Fixed Income Securities
Advanced Financial Modeling
International Project Finance
Mergers and Acquisitions
Internship in Finance
Introduction to FinTech
Blockchain Applications and Decentralized Finance
Investment Applications of Natural Language Processing
Subject to department permission, any other relevant elective.
Total Credits9
Course Title Credits
Concentration Requirements
Any three Finance (FI) or Finance and Technology (FT) courses not otherwise required.
Total Credits9
Course Title Credits
Concentration Requirements
FI 360Introduction to Personal Financial Planning3
FI 361Comprehensive Financial Plan Development3
Select one of the following:3
Quantitative Portfolio Management
Sustainable, Responsible, and Impact (SRI) Investing
Mutual Fund Operations and Management
Insurance and Risk Management, Retirement Planning and Estate Planning
Internship in Finance
Introduction to FinTech
Blockchain Applications and Decentralized Finance
Investment Applications of Natural Language Processing
Subject to department permission, any other relevant elective.
Total Credits9
Students enrolled in the above Personal Financial Planning Concentration have the option to also satisfy the requirements for successful completion of the undergraduate CFP Board Registered “Financial Planning Concentration”1 by specifically completing the following four courses in addition to the required FI360 and FI361 (Capstone) courses (a total of 18 credits):
Financial Markets and Investment
Investments
Advanced Managerial Finance
Corporate Finance: Applications and Advanced Topics
Insurance and Risk Management, Retirement Planning and Estate Planning
Financial Modeling
Financial Modeling
1 Students completing this CFP Board Registered Program at Bentley will have met the Education requirement for CFP® Certification Examination administered by CFP Board.
Course Title Credits
Concentration Requirements
FI 316Sustainable, Responsible, and Impact (SRI) Investing3
Choose one of the following: 3
Quantitative Portfolio Management
Equity Research
Choose one of the following: 3
Energy Alternatives
Science of Sustainability
Global Climate Change
Science of Environmental Policy
Subject to department permission, any other relevant elective.
Total Credits9