Finance Program

Chair: Dr. Ghirmay S.Ghebreyesus

Administrative Assistant: Ms. Adelea Holmes

Professors Emeriti: Dr. Jaswant R. Jindia

Professors: Dr. Donald R.Andrews, Dr. Ghirmay S. Ghebreyesus, Dr. Ashagre Yigletu, Dr. Sung C. No, and Dr. Aloyce Kaliba

Associate Professor: Dr. Vasantha Chigurupati

Assistant Professor: Dr. Hasib Ahmed

Instructor: Mr. Sherman Pittman

The Finance Program offers courses designed to provide students with basic information and current knowledge of the operation of the American economy and financial system. The department emphasizes innovative teaching, research, and professional service activities. It offers a four-year curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, with the opportunity for a concentration in Economics and Risk Management and Insurance.

The Finance program provides students with a comprehensive knowledge of financial theories and the ability to apply analysis of financial markets and operation of financial institutions. Additionally, students are provided with experience designed to equip them with the theoretical tools of investigation and promote critical thinking and analytical skills in business and finance.

Such knowledge will enable students to obtain the necessary skills for career opportunities one of the following areas:

• Financial institutions including banks, insurance companies, real estate firms and financial regulatory agencies.
• Corporate finance and the work ranges from making decisions regarding plant expansions to choosing what types of securities to issue when financing those expansions.
• Careers in investments includes working for brokerage houses as sales or security analyst; banks, mutual funds, or insurance companies as portfolio analyst; financial consulting firms advising individual investors or pension funds; or financial planner helping individuals develop long-term financial goals.

Finance majors are required to complete 123 credit hours, of which 24 credit hours must be in the field of finance. A grade of “C” or better must be attained in all finance courses presented to fulfill the credit hour requirement in the major. Finance electives in specialized areas are available to advanced students.

The Finance program has concentrations in Risk Management and Insurance and Business Economics. The Risk Management and Insurance concentration consists of four Risk/Insurance courses (12 credit hours) that can be used to satisfy the four elective courses required for the Finance degree curriculum. The Business Economics concentration also consists of four economics course (12 credit hours) that can be used to substitute the four elective courses required for the Finance degree program. Students should consult with the Chair of the Department for the specific course requirements necessary to obtain the concentrations. Those students currently enrolled in the Economics Degree program as of the 2010-2011 academic year will be allowed to complete their degrees in Economics as specified in this catalog or the relevant catalog at the time of their entry into the program.