Bachelor of Science in Finance
In today’s world, the financial implications involved in making decisions for business and government are becoming increasingly complex. Financial considerations play an important part in research, engineering, production, marketing, and other areas. Graduates of our finance program are prepared for key financial roles critical to business and governmental operations.
Our finance program gives students numerous ways to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world personal and business financial practices. The Burnell D. Kraft Trading Floor houses multiple Bloomberg terminals with a vast amount of historical and real-time data, news feeds, analyses, and a wide array of tools for simulations and trading of stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies, and many other financial instruments.
Degree Requirements
The Finance program track is accomplished by fulfilling the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree.
- Total Degree Requirements: 120 credit hours
- University Core Curriculum: 39 credit hours
- Professional Business Core: 47 credit hours
- Major Requirements: 27 credit hours
- Electives: 7 credit hours
Check out the undergraduate Curricular Guide, which helps you outline what courses you would want to take each semester for all four years.
Minor
Many business students earn a minor in finance to complement their business-oriented bachelor’s degree in accounting, business analytics, marketing or management.
The minor also will differentiate recent graduates from other job candidates without a finance background, making new professionals from SIU more attractive in the eyes of hiring managers.
Concentrations
Our finance program offers specialized tracks to match your career goals. Financial Management covers budgeting, forecasting, and capital planning. Financial Institutions focuses on banking, markets, and real estate. Investments prepares you for security analysis and portfolio management. Financial Economics blends economic analysis with financial decision-making. Financial Analytics combines finance and data analysis to support data-driven financial decisions. The General track offers flexibility across finance courses.
Accredited Program
SIU College of Business is among the top five percent of business schools in the world, holding accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International.
It’s recognition of our diverse faculty with industry-oriented research interests, our innovative curriculum, and our student career opportunities.
Living and Learning
At SIU, many students from the College of Business and Analytics live in a residential setting known as Living and Learning Communities (LLCs). These provide a space and a structure for people to align around a shared goal. Students living in an LLC enjoy getting to know professors and classmates better, greater access to academic resources and specialized programs right in their residence halls.
Kraft Trading Floor
Kraft Trading Floor
Hands-on learning isn't just something we talk about. It's something we immerse our students in and you need look no further than The Burnell D. Kraft Trading Floor for proof. There, our students experience real time simulation of commodities and financial trading via the latest technology.
The trading floor, open since late 2003 and housed in Room 326 at Rehn Hall, is one of few in the nation. The facility features a stock ticker showing stock prices from financial markets across the globe. We even added seven Bloomberg terminals in June 2012, providing our students with the absolute latest news and financial market information. It's our very own "Wall Street."
Our students gain this invaluable experience thanks to Burnell D. Kraft, a Chester native and 1956 accounting graduate of the University, who secured $285,000 to create the unique classroom. Kraft, who enjoyed a long and successful career in business before retiring in 2001 as senior vice president of Archer Daniels Midland, said the room gives our students the equivalent of 5-10 years experience in just a year or two. Other generous benefactors enable us to continually update and enhance our very own "Wall Street."
Student Organizations
Student Organizations
Students studying finance also may participate in the Saluki Student Investment Fund (SSIF). The initiative is set up like a real investment firm, providing our students hands-on experience in day-to-day portfolio management and investment research with extensive utilization of twelve Bloomberg terminals. Students manage an investment portfolio currently worth over $3.5 million and learn about the responsibility, discipline, and diligence it takes to manage someone else’s money.
Internships
Internships
A paid finance internship established through partnerships at investments companies and corporations across the nation may open up networking opportunities and assist our students in getting a foot in the door at the company. An intensive internship often pays off with solid experience that often leads to employment opportunities after graduation.
Services
The SIU College of Business and Analytics faculty and staff pride themselves on providing top-quality services to their students. Whether you are a prospective or current student, we are here to serve you.
Accreditation
Accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, International, places us among the top 5 percent of business schools worldwide.
Scholarships
The College of Business and Analytics offers need-based and merit-based scholarships exclusively for business students, helping offset the cost of your degree.
Study Abroad
The SIU College of Business and Analytics has a well-established, one-month study abroad program in France with our partner school, Grenoble Graduate School of Business. This program occurs from mid-May to mid-June every year.
