Finance plays a pivotal role in business decisions across all functions. A strong foundation in finance is highly valued by employers and provides excellent career options and flexibility upon graduation. St. Thomas finance courses and the degree program prepare students for careers in all areas of finance. Students gain in-depth knowledge and develop important analytical skills in the areas of corporate finance, investments and portfolio management, financial institutions and banking, and global finance. The finance degree program requires students to acquire training in the interrelated areas of accounting, economics and information technology as well.
Finance graduates find career opportunities in the interrelated areas of corporate finance, accounting, investments, security analysis, asset management, financial planning, commercial and investment banking, private equity and venture capital, real estate, insurance and risk management. Typical job titles of finance graduates include financial analyst, security analyst, equity analyst, research analyst, budget analyst, financial advisor, financial planner, financial consultant, loan officer, account specialist, treasury assistant, portfolio assistant and financial manager, among others.
All undergraduate business students are required to take liberal arts core curriculum courses, foundational and major-specific business courses, and allied courses from outside the College of Business in key areas such as economics, math, and statistics.
Financial Management Major Courses
St. Thomas also offers a minor in finance, which enables non-finance majors to develop their knowledge and skills in finance and thereby increase their employment and career prospects.
ACCT 100 Principles of Accounting I
BUSN 100 Business for the Common Good
ENTR 100 Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Begin allied courses in economics, math, and statistics
ACCT 200 Principles of Accounting II
BETH 300 Ethical Principles in Business
BLAW 300 Law for Business Leaders I
BUSN 200 Business Learning Through Service
CISC 200 Intro to Computer Technology and Business Application
FINC 310 Core Financial Management
MGMT 200 Working Skillfully in Organizations
MKTG 200 Introduction to Marketing
OPMT 200 Operations and Supply Chain Management
STUDY ABROAD: Your second or third years are ideal for semester-long or short-term (January) international programs.
As a junior and senior, you’ll take upper-level specialized courses specific to your chosen major, as well as business electives.
In addition to your major courses, you’ll also take interdisciplinary liberal arts courses in thethroughout your four years.
Students who complete the required coursework receive a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Financial Management.
Your professor is always available to help you with your coursework. If you need extra help with your core courses in accounting, finance, or operations, free tutors are also available. Whether you’re stuck on an assignment or want help preparing for an exam, our tutors are always glad to work with you. You can schedule a 30-minute one-on-one appointment, or drop in during open hours.
St. Thomas maintains a large network of alumni and local business connections, which leads to real-world learning opportunities, internships and—oftentimes—employment after graduation. When you’re ready for an internship, the Career Development Center can help you find a position that supports your professional goals.
All undergraduate business students are required to take liberal arts core curriculum courses, foundational and major-specific business courses, and allied courses from outside the College of Business in key areas such as economics, math, and statistics.
Financial Management Major Courses
St. Thomas also offers a minor in finance, which enables non-finance majors to develop their knowledge and skills in finance and thereby increase their employment and career prospects.
ACCT 100 Principles of Accounting I
BUSN 100 Business for the Common Good
ENTR 100 Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Begin allied courses in economics, math, and statistics
ACCT 200 Principles of Accounting II
BETH 300 Ethical Principles in Business
BLAW 300 Law for Business Leaders I
BUSN 200 Business Learning Through Service
CISC 200 Intro to Computer Technology and Business Application
FINC 310 Core Financial Management
MGMT 200 Working Skillfully in Organizations
MKTG 200 Introduction to Marketing
OPMT 200 Operations and Supply Chain Management
STUDY ABROAD: Your second or third years are ideal for semester-long or short-term (January) international programs.
As a junior and senior, you’ll take upper-level specialized courses specific to your chosen major, as well as business electives.
In addition to your major courses, you’ll also take interdisciplinary liberal arts courses in thethroughout your four years.
Students who complete the required coursework receive a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Financial Management.
Your professor is always available to help you with your coursework. If you need extra help with your core courses in accounting, finance, or operations, free tutors are also available. Whether you’re stuck on an assignment or want help preparing for an exam, our tutors are always glad to work with you. You can schedule a 30-minute one-on-one appointment, or drop in during open hours.
St. Thomas maintains a large network of alumni and local business connections, which leads to real-world learning opportunities, internships and—oftentimes—employment after graduation. When you’re ready for an internship, the Career Development Center can help you find a position that supports your professional goals.
Students studying financial management select upper-level elective coursework relevant to their interests. The finance department offers a variety of courses that provide experiential learning opportunities within the field.
The Aristotle Fund is both a real-world, student-managed investment fund and a unique learning vehicle for University of St. Thomas students. Every year, a new group of students from the Opus College of Business manages a multi-million dollar portfolio of equity securities, incorporating new stocks and divesting others. The fund is overseen by an independent Board of Advisors, composed of qualified investment professionals who also act as mentors to the student managers.
Emerging Financial Markets in China is a study-abroad elective course that includes both on-campus and on-site lectures, experiential learning and cultural engagement activities. The course covers Chinese economic, monetary and financial system and policies, the role of Chinese manufacturing and trade in the Chinese and global economy and financial markets, and issues and challenges facing the economy and financial markets in China.
Students develop their financial skillset through case study analysis and presentation in this off-campus course that provides an overview of the financial services industry. Senior professionals working on Wall Street act as hosts for business site visits. Corporate partners and site visits for this course have included Piper Jaffray, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo Securities, The Capital Group, Abbott Downing, The Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Stone Arch Capital and the New York Stock Exchange.
Financial management students have access to an active network of professors, peers, and alums supporting them at St. Thomas. They gain invaluable skills and knowledge that are in demand in the finance industry.
A Fauth Business Scholar, Hannah decided to double major in Financial Management and Economics. Connections with professors and the Tommie Alumni network led to practical experience and networking opportunities through internships at the St. Thomas Alumni Office, TCF Bank, Parametric and Wells Fargo to further explore careers in finance. Prior to her senior year, Hannah received the opportunity to participate in the Aristotle Fund, a student managed investment fund. St. Thomas and the Opus College of Business provided Hannah with a well-rounded foundation and network to ensure continued success.
Matt received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Management in 2018. While in school, he gained valuable hands-on experience and connections as a member of the Aristotle Fund, where he worked with a group of both undergraduate and graduate students in actively managing a mid-cap equity portfolio. Matt says that the combination of outstanding faculty, small class sizes and the power of the Tommie alumni network supported him in securing an investment banking analyst role at TripleTree 9 months before graduation.
Peder remembers his relationship with professors and involvement in extra-curricularsat St. Thomasfondly.Not only did Peder'sprofessorsteachhim thefundamentalsoffinance, but theyconnected him withnetworking opportunities that led to an internship at Merrill Lynch- where he was offeredafull-time role in their Financial Advisor Rotational Programafter graduation.Peter was also active in theInvestments Club,which exposed him toprofessionals in the industrywho gave valuable career insight and advice.
Typical jobs in financial management include:
Scholarships
Scholarships
The Opus College of Business awards this competitive scholarship to incoming students who intend to major in Business. Each year, up to four $10,000/year scholarships are awarded.
90% of financial management graduates surveyed report having at least one internship
$50-55k is the most frequently reported starting salary range
94% of graduates surveyed secured employment within 4 months of graduation
Mary Daugherty is the founding faculty member of the Aristotle Fund, a $6 million student managed investment fund at the University of St. Thomas.
Jim Shovein has almost 20 years of industry experience, including his position of Vice President of Finance at Best Buy and Vice President of Finance at Ecolab.
Mufaddal Baxamusa is widely published in leading academic journals and has been invited for presentations at universities, and prestigious national conferences, including the annual meeting of the American Finance Association.
The experts in the Career Development Center can help you find internships, develop job hunting skills, and put you in touch with business leads—both alumni and St. Thomas connections in the broader Twin Cities business scene. We can help you:
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.