Finance
Undergraduate Programs
Description
The objective of the department is to prepare students for entry-level positions in the field of finance. Four areas of emphasis are available within this major.
The undergraduate finance program deals with the theory, organization and operations of the financial system from both the social and managerial perspectives. Students are expected to develop expertise in making organizational and personal judgements and decisions involving financial data. Additionally, students present their analyses in both written and oral form.
Students may select and complete one or more of the following emphases: Corporate Finance, Financial Planning and Insurance, General Finance, and Investment Analysis. In addition an interdisciplinary Certificate in Business Analytics is available through the department.
Majors |
Program | Locations | Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance BS Corporate Finance | BS - Bachelor of Science |
|
120 |
| Finance BS Financial Planning and Insurance | BS - Bachelor of Science |
|
120 |
| Finance BS General Finance | BS - Bachelor of Science |
|
120 |
| Finance BS Investment Analysis | BS - Bachelor of Science |
|
120 |
Certificates |
Program | Locations | Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Analytics CERT |
|
17 |
Minors |
Program | Locations | Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Planning Minor | 18 |
Policies & Faculty
Policies
Admission to the Finance Major Admission to the Finance major in the College of Business typically occurs at the beginning of the student’s sophomore year. Multiple criteria will be considered for admission to the Finance major. Admission is competitive; meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Deadlines for application are: October 1 for Spring Semester and March 1 for Fall Semester.
Criteria Considered for Admission to the Finance Major
- Minimum cumulative (including Transfer) Grade Point Average of 2.5.
- Completion of the following courses with a minimum grade of "C" (2.0): IT 101, MATH 130, ACCT 200, BUS 295, ECON 201.
Requirements for the Financial Planning Minor
- Students must be admitted to a major at Minnesota State Mankato, and
- Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher when starting the Finance minor.
Academic Advising. Students will initially receive their advising from the professional advisors in the College of Business Student Center. When a student applies to the College of Business (which is done during BUS 295), he/she will be assigned a faculty advisor in the major area of study. Questions regarding the assignment of advisors can be answered in the College of Business Advising Center, 151 Morris Hall, 389-2963.
College of Business Policies
Students who are business minors, non-business majors or those who are not seeking a four-year degree may take up to 24 credits in the College of Business.
Students must be admitted to a major to take upper division (300/400) courses in the College of Business.
Students must be admitted to the College of Business major to be granted a Bachelor of Science degree in any College of Business majors.
Residency. Transfer students must complete a minimum of 30 resident credits at the upper division (300-400) level in the College of Business at Minnesota State Mankato.
Transfer students pursuing a major or minor in the College of Business must complete at least 50% (one-half) of their major or minor coursework at Minnesota State Mankato.
GPA Policy. Students must earn a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (“C”) on the total courses taken in the College of Business and a 2.25 overall GPA to meet graduation requirements.
P/N Grading Policy. No more than one-fourth of a student’s major shall consist of P/N grades.
Assessment Policy. The College of Business believes that the ongoing assessment of its programs makes a vital contribution to the quality of those programs and to student learning. Student Participation is an important and expected part of the assessment process.
Internships. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in one or more internship programs related to their field of study before graduation. Qualifying internships may receive academic credit counting towards a student’s major, but are not required to be taken for credit. To receive academic credit, students must be registered during the semester the internship takes place. Registration instructions and other business internship resources can be found at: cob.mnsu.edu/internship/
Contact Information
College of Business
Department of Finance
150 Morris Hall
Faculty
Chair:
- Roger Severns, Ph.D.
Faculty
100 Level
Credits: 3
Fundamental concepts of managing cash flows: preparation of personal budget, personal debt management, financial goal establishment, savings and investments, insurance.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course prepares students for success by exposing them to the requirements, expectations, resources and opportunities of the COB. Students will have business experiences and will develop professional skills.Prerequisites: none
200 Level
Credits: 2
This course is required for admission to the College of Business for all business majors. The purpose of the course is to provide students with an overview of COB majors, allow students to create an academic plan for graduation, and develop professional skills needed for future job placement. Topics include cover letter and resume writing, interviewing skills, the process of networking, the internship program, etiquette skills, and requirements for graduation.Prerequisites: none
300 Level
Credits: 3
An introduction to finance relating to problems, methods, and policies in financing business enterprise.Prerequisites: ACCT 200, Jr. Standing
Credits: 3
Current topics of significance in Finance. May be repeated repeated for credit.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Introduction to analytic tools and techniques using business applications.Grading MethodPrerequisites: ECON 207
Credits: 3
BUS 397 is an applied course that entails developing, launching, managing, and closing a business with the cohort of students enrolled in the class. Students write and present a business plan as they seek financing for their start-up company. The business start-up experience creates a real-world context in which students can practice the concepts introduced in MGMT 330, MRKT 310, and FINA 362. BUS 397 is part of the United Prairie Bank Integrated Business Experience, and students must enroll concurrently in BUS 397 and sections of FINA 362, MGMT 330, and MRKT 310 that are designated for IBE students.Prerequisites: Must be admitted to a major.
Credits: 0
Curricular Practical Training: Co-Operative Experience is a zero-credit full-time practical training experience for one summer and an adjacent fall or spring term. Special rules apply to preserve full-time student status. Please contact an advisor in your program for complete information.Prerequisites: At least 60 credits earned; in good standing; instructor permission; co-op contract; other prerequisites may also apply.
400 Level
Credits: 3
Principles and techniques for estate planning. Examination of various retirement plans available, and the legal and tax environment impacting an estate's portfolio.Prerequisites: FINA 100 or FINA 362
Credits: 3
Fundamental concepts of personal financial management: insurance, budgeting, credit, savings, investments, retirement and estate planning, and consumer debt management.Prerequisites: FINA 470, FINA 100 or FINA 362
Credits: 3
Formulation of investment policy of individuals and institutions, factors influencing the values of securities, and techniques of portfolio selection and management.Prerequisites: FINA 362
Credits: 3
This course encompasses advanced principles and concepts concerning the nature and types of debt financing, the valuation and use of leases, the process and tools of risk management, the calculation and estimation of financial ratios, the financial planning and forecasting processes, and the understanding of working capital.Prerequisites: FINA 362
Credits: 3
Applications of financial principles and analytical tools through the use of case studies and problems from local businesses.Prerequisites: FINA 362
Credits: 3
Tools and techniques to aid in individual and institutional portfolio management.Prerequisites: FINA 362 and FINA 460
Credits: 3
Introduction to money and capital markets, instruments and institutions. Consideration of the management problems of financial institutions.Prerequisites: FINA 362
Credits: 3
Fundamental concepts of employee benefits in relation to pertinent legislation, modern management techniques, and financial constraints that affect the formulation and implementaion of a benefit plan.Prerequisites: FINA 100 or FINA 362
Credits: 3
Examination of the fundamentals of the insurance industry; the risk management process; and commercial insurance exposures and policies including commercial property, general liability, and workers' compensation.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Principles and practices of risk management in the recognition and treatment of exposure to potential financial loss and with primary emphasis on property and liability insurance for individuals and families.Prerequisites: FINA 467
Credits: 3
Financing investments and working capital management problems in multi-national environments.Prerequisites: FINA 362
Credits: 3
Examination of personal insurance exposures and policies including auto, health, home and life.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Principles and techniques of real estate valuation. The market, cost and income methods for the basic structure of the course. A professional appraisal report is required.Prerequisites: FINA 362
Credits: 3
Fundamental principles: valuation, brokerage, financing, law, property management, land descriptions and basic investment.Prerequisites: FINA 100 or FINA 362
Credits: 3
Property productivity analysis utilizing discount cash flow methodology, urban growth and taxation factors, and economic base analysis.Prerequisites: FINA 362
Credits: 3
Guest lecturers and discussions with students by visiting senior executives of major companies coordinated by faculty. The course will include analysis of several individual companies. May be repeated.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Trading practices and procedures utilizing these contracts in hedging and risk management policies for business.Prerequisites: FINA 362
Credits: 3
Fundamental concepts of commercial bank management: banking trends and performance evaluations. Managing the balance sheet and evaluating loan requests.Prerequisites: FINA 362
Credits: 1
The first capstone course will begin with the student identifying a business problem based on feedback solicited from management, peers, faculty, and/or mentors. The scope of the project definition will be documented and reviewed with a key business stakeholder who will work directly with the student throughout both capstone courses. A mutually acceptable project plan will represent an appropriate level of complexity to achieve the final project goal and solve a business problem of strategic importance for the business organization.Prerequisites: All other BBA program courses (excluding two capstone courses) must be complete with a mastery of 70% or higher.
Credits: 1-4
.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
Study tours are led by Minnesota State University, Mankato faculty and provide students with opportunities to visit companies and attend lectures by renowned experts from key sectors of economy, government, and business.Prerequisites: Permission Required
Credits: 3
The student will demonstrate and apply knowledge gained from the first capstone course (BUS491) and overall BBA program into the real-world project experience. Business skills and professional development will be challenged for the student to integrate relevant knowledge through the project-based learning experience. The final written and oral presentation of the project results will demonstrate the problem-solving and critical thinking context beyond the classroom.Prerequisites: BUS 491
Credits: 1-6
Students are responsible for generating investment ideas consistent with the Maverick Fund Investment Policy Statement. Coreq: FINA 460Prerequisites: FINA 362.
Credits: 1-9
Supervised experience in business, industry, state or federal institutions.Prerequisites: Permission Required
Credits: 3
Supervised experience in business, industry, state or federal institutions.Prerequisites: Permission Required
Credits: 1-3
.Prerequisites: Permission Required
