Finance is the study of financial decision-making for corporations and for investments. Finance majors develop analytical skills through 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 and portfolio construction.
Finance majors use industry-standard databases and analytical software in the Bentley Trading Room, where students apply theory and information technology to financial analysis, asset valuation, and risk management. The broad range of electives allows for specialization through concentrations in Personal Financial Planning, Corporate Finance, Capital Markets, and Sustainable Investing.
Students are encouraged to participate in internships as part of the Finance Major and often have their pick from a variety of career choices in commercial banking, corporate finance, private equity, financial planning, insurance, venture capital, money management, and more. The Finance degree also provides sound preparation for career opportunities in management development programs of major corporations, and prospective students are encouraged to visit Bentley’s Pulsifer Career Development Center to look at the excellent internship and career placement outcomes Bentley students have achieved.
Students interested in studying Finance can also explore the following related majors:
For further information about degree requirement policies and guidelines, see the Degree Requirements page.
Major Requirements
Major Courses (27 Credits)
Course List Course | Title | Credits |
| |
EC 112 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
FI 305 | Principles of Accounting and Finance | 3 |
FI 306 | Financial Markets and Investment | 3 |
FI 307 | Advanced Managerial Finance | 3 |
FI 347 | Financial Modeling | 3 |
FI 351 | International Finance | 3 |
| 9 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
The Business Environment (6 Credits)
Course List Course | Title | Credits |
CS 305 | Business Processes and Systems | 3 |
MG 300 | Strategic Management | 3 |
General Degree Requirements
Foundations for Success (15 Credits)
Course List Course | Title | Credits |
FDS 100 | Falcon Discovery Seminar | 3 |
| |
EMS 101 | Critical Reading and Writing | 3 |
or EMS 101L | Critical Reading and Writing with Lab |
or EMS 102 | Critical Reading and Writing for Multilingual Students |
or EMS 102L | Critical Reading and Writing for Multilingual Students with Lab |
| |
EMS 104 | Multimodal Communication | 3 |
or EMS 105 | Multimodal Communication for Multilingual Students |
CS 100 | Solving Business Problems with Information Technology | 3 |
| |
MA 105 | Mathematical Foundations for Business | 3 |
or MA 105L | Mathematical Foundations for Business with Lab |
or MA 107 | Applied Calculus for Business |
or MA 107L | Applied Calculus for Business with Lab |
or MA 131 | Calculus I |
or MA 131L | Calculus I with Lab |
Context and Perspectives (18 Credits)
Course List Course | Title | Credits |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Business Dynamics/Business Administration Minor (18 Credits)
Course List Course | Title | Credits |
| |
AC 115 | Introduction to Financial Reporting and Analysis | 3 |
EC 111 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
FI 118 | Introduction to Finance | 3 |
LA 100 | Business Law | 3 |
MG 116 | Human Dynamics in Organizations | 3 |
ST 113 | Business Statistics | 3 |
Communication Intensive
All students are required to take a three-credit course designated as a Communication Intensive. This requirement can be met within a variety of course subjects in both Arts & Sciences and Business. Communication Intensive courses are designated with a "Communication Intensive" course tag in Workday. Transfer students with a minimum of 30 credits will be waived from the Communication Intensive requirement.
Please note that certain majors have an additional three-credit Communication Intensive built into their major requirements, separate from the general CI requirement.
Additional Requirements
Arts and Sciences Electives (15 Credits)
Course List Course | Title | Credits |
| 15 |
Unrestricted Electives (21 Credits)
Course List Course | Title | Credits |
| 21 |
Total: 120 Credits