An online bachelor's degree in finance prepares students for careers in the financial industry and for graduate study.
Choosing an Online Bachelor of Finance Degree Program
When researching the best finance schools, students should consider several factors, such as cost, transfer policies, and on-campus requirements. We cover several important program considerations for prospective bachelor of finance students below.
Program Cost
Students can typically save money by attending a public institution rather than a private institution. Additionally, some online programs offer tuition discounts to in-state students, while others charge all distance students the same tuition rate, regardless of residency.
Transfer Policies
Transfer policies vary by school. Students who already hold some college credits should look for schools with generous transfer policies to ensure they can receive credit for prior academic work. Some schools also offer transfer credit for professional, military, and volunteer experience.
School Size and Type
Some students prefer to attend larger schools, which typically provide more diverse course offerings and programs than small schools. Alternatively, some learners prefer the more individualized attention often found at smaller schools.
Program Length
A bachelor of finance program typically takes four years of full-time study to complete, but some programs offer accelerated timelines that may allow students to graduate in less time.
On-campus Requirements
Some online programs may offer or require on-campus requirements. Students should ensure they can meet all of a program's requirements before committing to a school.
Thesis, Fellowship, and Work Requirements
Students planning to pursue graduate school benefit from attending a program with a thesis requirement, while students planning to work immediately after graduation may benefit more from a program with a fellowship or internship requirement.
Accreditation for Online Finance Degrees
Accreditation indicates that a school meets high academic standards with respect to faculty qualifications, student learning outcomes, and academic rigor. Attending an accredited school expands a student's employment, education, and financial aid opportunities. Schools may hold national or regional accreditation, with regional accreditation generally considered the more prestigious of the two. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education oversee six independent regional accrediting bodies that accredit schools based on where a school is located.
Attending an accredited school expands a student's employment, education, and financial aid opportunities.
Certain programs within a school may also receive specialized accreditation. Students pursuing a bachelor's degree in finance should look for programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor's Degree in Finance?
An online bachelor's degree in finance typically takes four years of full-time study to earn. However, some programs offer accelerated timelines, allowing students to expedite graduation. Additionally, students seeking to balance their studies with work and family obligations may prefer to study part time, which extends the length of a program.
Online Finance Degree Curriculum
Courses vary by program, but online bachelor's degree in finance programs typically cover topics like investments, bank management, and financial statements. We cover several common courses for bachelor of finance students below.
Investments
Investment courses cover common investment terminology and models. Topics include trade mechanics, security markets organization, security classification, financial intermediation, and the application of general asset principles. Students learn how to apply financial principles to various types of investments, including real estate, variable-returns, futures, and brokerage operations.
Bank Management
This class covers basic bank management topics, like loan type classifications, asset-liability management, domestic and international banking laws, and the role of the Federal Reserve system. These courses often incorporate guest lectures from banking professionals that allow students to ask questions about standard bank management offerings and operations.
Analyzing Financial Statements
This course covers various types of financial statements and how to analyze them. Learners examine topics like international accounting standards, generally accepted accounting principles, and international financial statement production. Students learn how to extract and analyze financial statement data to improve financial outcomes.
Introduction to Financial Management
This introductory course covers basic financial management principles and how to use them to stabilize and increase company valuations. The course examines principles of accounting, economics, and statistical methods to help students understand concepts such as cash flow, risk analysis, capital budgeting, and capital management.
Applications for Managerial Finance
With a focus on corporate financial principles, this class examines how to maximize company value. Learners study topics like corporate finance theories, value-based capital management, payout policies, capital structure, and ongoing trends and challenges in managerial finance.
Graduates with a bachelor's degree in finance can work in roles such as financial planner, financial analyst, and actuary.
The best bachelor's degree in finance is one that aligns with a student's academic abilities, career aspirations, and financial needs.
Full-time students can typically earn an online bachelor's degree in finance in four years.
Typically, schools offer a bachelor of business administration in finance or a BS in finance.
Aside from generalist finance studies, some programs offer concentrations in areas such as financial accounting, risk management, and corporate finance.
