The core finance course, BUAD 306: Business Finance or BUAD 308: Advanced Business Finance, is a requirement that must be completed before declaring this emphasis and is the best course to help students decide if this Emphasis is right for them. We encourage students interested in this emphasis to enroll in BUAD 306 or BUAD 308 as early as possible. In addition, BUAD 308 is recommended for students interested in pursuing this Emphasis. 

BUAD 308 is a bit more fast-paced in comparison to BUAD 306 because it is intended for students interested in pursuing the Finance emphasis and/or a career in finance. What distinguishes BUAD 308 from BUAD 306 is its in-depth exploration of core subjects, including discussions on economic theory, additional practical application involving data and real-life cases, and an extension to other courses within the FBE department curriculum. 

In addition to the Finance and Business Economics emphasis faculty advisor, students can consult their BUAD 306/308 professor, or any professor in the Finance and Business Economics department. Student organizations and Marshall Undergraduate Career Services are also excellent resources to explore FBE-related career opportunities and connect with students, staff, alumni and professionals to gain personal insights and advice.

There is no dominant quality or skill aligned with Finance and Business Economics-related careers. The range of positions across corporate finance, financial services, investment management and financial and economic consulting is vast. Typically, employers seek candidates who combine strong analytical and critical thinking skills with excellent communication and interpersonal abilities. Actively exploring industry and career opportunities as you enhance your skills and refine your interests throughout your undergraduate experience is the best way to align your class choices with your career ambitions.

Students have flexibility to choose classes that provide a breadth of knowledge and skills as a finance generalist; OR to choose classes that provide a depth of knowledge and skills aligned with a specific sub-field or career path. Some representative skills and knowledge include: financial modeling and valuation, institutional and market knowledge, financial strategy including risk management and capital raising, and investment and wealth-management strategies and techniques.

The Finance and Business Economics Emphasis can prepare students for careers in investment or commercial banking (including sales and trading, financial strategy advisory, underwriting, valuation, and M&A advisory), investment management (including research and valuation, portfolio management, private wealth management, and private equity), financial and economic consulting, and corporate financial management (including financial planning, risk management, valuation and corporate development, corporate treasury, and financial analysis and strategy).

Students who participate in the Marshall International Exchange program (IEP) may fulfill up to 6 units towards this emphasis while studying abroad. In order for the courses to be applied towards this emphasis, students must complete approved classes while abroad (a list of approved classes for each exchange location can be found on the IEP outgoing website). Students will work with the International Programs office to ensure that the approved classes they take abroad will be applied towards their emphasis.

This emphasis has been approved by the university to be STEM-eligible under the Department of Education CIP code of 52.1301 designation of Management Science. The degree stated on the I-20 refers to this designation. Students can find a memo of support from the department for the CIP code designation here.