Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Slippery Rock University

Finance, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA)

A student pursuing a bachelor of science in business administration degree can choose to major in finance. Finance teaches students about the financial operations and financial management of firms. Students learn about the financial records of firms, the character and appraisal of corporate securities, and financial techniques used in all phases of the discipline. In addition, students may choose elective subjects which permit them to aim at a particular segment of finance, such as corporate finance, commercial and investment banking, and financial planning. Certain courses are offered each semester; others are cycled every other semester or every other year to provide the greatest diversification possible.

Finance majors are encouraged to join the Finance & Economics, and Rock Solid Investment Club. These student organizations sponsor a variety of professional and social activities such as informal gatherings among students, invited guest speakers, annual networking trips, tours, and travel

All majors are encouraged to do an internship in the summer semester between their junior and senior year. Students may seek placements in their individual area of interest. Internships are available in the areas of banking, insurance, financial advising, financial services, manufacturing and government. In today’s market, employers often offer internships to attract qualified students to their firms.

Finance majors are particularly well suited for positions in the private or public sector that require knowledge of financial institutions and financial operations such as commercial banks, investment services companies, insurance companies, and real estate firms.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Communication: Students graduating with a degree in business administration will demonstrate competency in oral and written communication skills.  Students will:
    • Prepare in proper format and style the following documents: business report (one to two pages), business memo, research report and presentation.
    • Deliver an effective oral presentation on a business and/or professional topic.
  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Students graduating with a degree in business administration will demonstrate effective critical thinking and problem solving skills. Students will:
    • Apply critical thinking skills to analyze and interpret financial statements to judge business performance.
    • Apply critical thinking skills using quantitative techniques for problem solving and strategic decision making.
  • Degree Program Writing Competency: Students will create written business and professional documents in appropriate style and format.

  • Ethics: Students graduating with a degree in business administration will have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to meet professional competencies as business professionals and global citizens.  Students will demonstrate:
    • An understanding of the history and vocabulary unique to business disciplines. 
    • Knowledge of procedures, concepts, and technical business skills through practical application (forecasting, budgeting, financial statement analyses, business plans, strategic planning).  
    • The ability to read and interpret financial statements in the decision-making process.
    • Effective team work and collaborative skills in a simulated business environment.
  • Information Technology: Students will demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers and software to manage information with statistical analysis, spreadsheet, database and other appropriate applications.

  • Professional Proficiency: Students graduating with a degree in business administration will have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to meet professional competencies as business professionals and global citizens.  Students will demonstrate:
    • An understanding of the history and vocabulary unique to finance disciplines.
    • Knowledge of procedures, concepts, and technical finance skills through practical application (forecasting, budgeting, financial statement analyses, business plans, strategic planning).  
    • The ability to read and interpret financial statements in the decision-making process.
    • Effective team work and collaborative skills in a simulated business environment.

Related Links

Finance, BSBA Program Page

Accounting, Economics and Finance Department Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

Curriculum Guide

GPA Requirement

Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher
Core GPA: 2.0 or higher

Summary*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42-43
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Computer Competency0-3
Major Requirements60
Electives18

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits.  Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

Rock Studies 2 Requirements

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
Select one of the following:3-4
Quantitative Reasoning
Introduction to Applied Calculus
Calculus I
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15-16
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
SCI 101Science of Life3
Physical Sciences Inquiry
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World3
Subtotal15
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Required Thematic Thread Coursework:
Principles of Microeconomics
Total Hours42-43
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

Computer Competency

Demonstrate "computer competency" by one of the following:0-3
Pass Computer Competency Exam OR
Select one of the following at SRU or another post-secondary institution:
Introduction to Computing for Liberal Arts
Computer Concepts
Introduction to Computing and Programming
Technology for Wellness
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

Major Requirements 

  • 30 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 30 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
Business Administration Core Requirements
ECON 201Principles of Macroeconomics 13
ACCT 209Financial Accounting 13
ECON 219Business Analytics I 13
or MGMT 219 Business Analytics I
ECON 319Business Analytics II 13
or MGMT 319 Business Analytics II
ACCT 322Business Analysis and Decision Making 13
MGMT 320Operations Management 13
MRKT 230Principles of Marketing 13
MGMT 351Organizational Behavior 13
FIN 303Issues in Global Business 13
or MGMT 303 Issues in Global Business
or MRKT 303 Issues in Global Business
FIN 320Managerial Finance 13
ACCT 340Legal Environment of Business 13
MGMT 458Business Capstone 13
MIS 265Management Information Systems 13
Subtotal39
Required Computer Science Course
CPSC 210Productivity Software 13
or MIS 210 Productivity Software
Subtotal3
Required Finance Courses 2
FIN 100Personal Financial Planning 23
FIN 321Investments 23
FIN 323Financial Markets and Institutions 23
FIN 326Intermediate Corporate Finance 23
FIN 427International Financial Management 23
Subtotal15
Required Electives 2
Select one of the following options:6
FIN 3XX/4XX
Finance 300/400-Level Electives 2
OR
FIN 3XX/4XX
Finance 300/400-Level Electives PLUS one of the following: 2
Macroeconomic Analysis 2
Microeconomic Analysis 2
Money and Banking 2
Introduction to Econometrics 2
Subtotal6
Total Hours63
1

Course counts for 50% of Major and not for Major GPA

2

Course counts for 50% of Major and Major GPA

*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

Co-curricular and Experiential Learning

Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. These opportunities can deepen and enhance the learning in accounting, economics and finance. In addition, there is a strong correlation between long-term student success and engagement in these opportunities:

  1. Internships
  2. Participation in student organizations
  3. International study programs (short-term, semester, and year-long)
  4. High-Impact Practice (HIP) designated classes
  5. Student-faculty research
  6. Student leadership development
  7. Service-learning classes
  8. Career education and development

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

FINANCE - BSBA (2342)
This program is effective as of Summer 2022
Revised 07.06.2022
UCC 03.22.2022

Recommended Four-Year Plan

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
ECON 201 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
Select one of the following: 3-4
Quantitative Reasoning
Introduction to Applied Calculus
Calculus I
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
CPSC 210
Productivity Software
or Productivity Software
3
 Hours16-17
Spring
ECON 202 Principles of Microeconomics 3
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
SCI 101
Science of Life
or Understanding the Physical World
3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
Humanities Inquiry 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
ECON 219
Business Analytics I
or Business Analytics I
3
ACCT 209 Financial Accounting 3
MIS 265 Management Information Systems 3
MRKT 230 Principles of Marketing 3
SCI 101
Science of Life
or Understanding the Physical World
3
Declare a Thematic Thread 2
 Hours15
Spring
ECON 319
Business Analytics II
or Business Analytics II
3
FIN 303
Issues in Global Business
or Issues in Global Business
or Issues in Global Business
3
MGMT 320 Operations Management 3
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall
FIN 320 Managerial Finance 3
ACCT 322 Business Analysis and Decision Making 3
MGMT 351 Organizational Behavior 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Free Elective 3 3
 Hours15
Spring
ACCT 340 Legal Environment of Business 3
FIN 321 Investments 3
FIN 323 Financial Markets and Institutions 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Free Elective 3 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
FIN 326 Intermediate Corporate Finance 3
Finance Elective 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Free Elective 3 3
Free Elective 3 3
 Hours15
Spring
FIN 427 International Financial Management 3
MGMT 458 Business Capstone 3
Finance Elective 3
Free Elective 3 3
Free Elective 3 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours**121-122
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.

*

Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.

3

Students may consider using Free Electives for a second major or minor in Accounting or Economics.

  • Note: By choosing the suggested options, students can finish with BSBA double majors in Finance and Economics, or a major in Finance with a minor in Economics.

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major Code: 2342
Revised: 05.10.2023