Finance, Bachelor of Science (664)
Department website: http://www.wku.edu/finance
Program Coordinator
Indudeep S. Chhachhi, indudeep.chhachhi@wku.edu, (270) 745-2018
Why Choose Finance?
Finance is the art and science of managing money. Today's financial managers play a critical role in the process of raising and spending money, whether it is in a corporate, government, or personal setting. Career opportunities in Finance are both numerous and exciting in our fast-paced global marketplace.
Finance offers both a major and a minor, and within the major there are two options: the Business Finance Option and the Personal Financial Planning Option. In addition, we offer two Certificates: a Certificate in Financial Planning and an Accredited Financial Counselor Certificate. These opportunities are available to current students and individuals that already hold an undergraduate degree.
Business Finance focuses on decisions within corporations and financial institutions. Students may focus their study in one of four areas in the Business Finance concentration: 1) Investment, 2) Analyst, 3) Financial Services or 4) General Business Finance. The field of investments deals with considerations for the use of funds in order to maximize value. Financial Analysts examine information to help companies make business decisions. Financial Services is the sector of the economy that addresses the management of money which includes banks and insurance companies among others.
Financial Planning concentrates on the various aspects of personal financial planning for individuals including investing, personal budgeting, tax planning, retirement planning, estate planning, and insurance. The Finance faculty at WKU work closely with students in small classes, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the classroom. The Finance curriculum includes hands-on opportunities and state-of-the-art technology.
There are several notes of distinction regarding our programs. First, our Personal Financial Planning option in the Finance major and our Certificate in Financial Planning program are registered with Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board). As of December 2021, we are one of only three institutions in the state of Kentucky with Board registered degree programs! This registration confers a special advantage on our graduates.
Second, the WKU Finance Group is one of 24 programs in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) service region to be part of its Investment Challenge Program. As of January 2022, the student-managed investment portfolio was valued at $500,000! Read more about our program under TVA Investment Challenge.
Third, the Gordon Ford College of Business holds dual AACSB accreditation in business and accounting. The AACSB Accreditation is the world's highest standard of excellence in business education. Learn why AACSB accreditation matters.
If you have any questions about our programs, please contact the Department of Finance.
Concentrations
- Personal Finance Planning (FNPP)
- Business Finance (FNBF)
Students majoring in a program in this department may refer to the Gordon Ford College of Business introductory section for sample course schedules for the freshman and sophomore years.
When planning a program of study in this department, each student should be aware of the University’s academic requirements and regulations contained in this catalog in the chapter “Academic Information.” Specific attention should be given to the subsections in the chapter entitled (a) Academic Programs, (b) Colonnade Requirements, and (c) Academic Requirements and Regulations. Students should be aware that some academic programs may require additional scholastic regulations and standards not specified in the catalog. To obtain a copy of these regulations, students should contact the department chair.
The undergraduate finance program offers two areas of concentration within the major:
- Business Finance
- Personal Financial Planning
Finance majors must earn a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in 300 and 400 level finance courses. In addition, finance majors must earn a “C” or better in FIN 330 and FIN 332.
Program Requirements (78/88 hours)
A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.
Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.
Business Core
Employers are seeking business graduates who 1) are well-prepared in their specific major, 2) possess foundational knowledge about other business disciplines, and 3) are career ready and professional. All majors in the Gordon Ford College of Business complete MATH 123 (Mathematical Applications for Business) and a common set of business and career preparation courses (the business core) in addition to the courses specific for their selected major.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Business Foundations Courses | ||
| MATH 123 | Mathematical Applications for Business | 3 |
| ACCT 110 | Accounting for Decision Makers | 3 |
| BDAN 250 | Introduction to Analytics | 3 |
| ECON 206 | Statistics | 3 |
| ECON 202 | Principles of Economics (Micro) | 3 |
| FIN 330 | Principles of Finance | 3 |
| MGT 210 | Organization and Management | 3 |
| MKT 220 | Basic Marketing Concepts | 3 |
| MGT 498 | Strategy and Policy | 3 |
| or ENT 496 | Small Business Analysis and Strategy | |
| Career Preparation Courses | ||
| BA 170 | Business Student Basics 1 | 1 |
| or BA 175 | University Experience-Business | |
| or BA 220 | Special Topics in Business Administration (Lower Division) | |
| MGT 261 | Business Communication Fundamentals | 3 |
| FIN 399 | Career Readiness in Finance | 1 |
| FIN 499 | Senior Assessment in Finance | 1 |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
| 1 | BA 175 is only for Business LLC students. BA 220 is only for WKU students and transfer students who choose a business major as a sophomore or higher. |
All Finance Majors
All Finance majors will complete the following courses regardless of concentration. All majors must earn a C or better in FIN 330 and FIN 332 and must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all finance classes.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Finance Major Required Courses | ||
| ACCT 220 | Principles of Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ECON 307 | Financial Data Modeling | 3 |
| FIN 161 | Personal Finance | 3 |
| FIN 332 | Investment Theory | 3 |
| FIN 389 | Financial Analysis and Modeling | 3 |
| FIN 433 | Financial Markets and Institutions | 3 |
| FIN 437 | Corporate Asset Management | 3 |
| FIN 438 | Corporate Funds Management | 3 |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Business Finance Concentration
The Business Finance concentration requires 78 hours of professional and elective courses and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. No minor or second major is required or prohibited. The Business Finance concentration deals with the acquisition and use of funds to maximize the value of the firm and has four focus areas: 1) Investment, 2) Analyst, 3) Financial Services, and 4) General Business Finance. Financial managers make decisions about alternative sources and uses of funds. Proper financial management within the firm will help the business to provide better products at reasonable prices to its customers and greater returns to the investors who supply the capital needed to form and then operate the business.
All Business Finance Majors must complete the following courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Common Courses for all Business Finance Majors | ||
| FIN 436 | International Financial Management | 3 |
| Select 3 hours of Upper-Level Business Electives, including prefixes ACCT, BDAN, CIS, ECON, ENT, FIN, MGT, and MKT | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Investment Focus Area
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Investment Focus Area Required Courses | ||
| FIN 331 | Applied Investments | 3 |
| FIN 419 | Behavioral Finance and Investing | 1.5 |
| FIN 439 | Security Analysis and Portfolio Management | 3 |
| FIN 449 | Practicum in Portfolio Management | 3 |
| Upper-Level Finance Electives | 4.5 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Analyst Focus Area
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst Focus Area Required Courses | ||
| BDAN 310 | Business Data Analytics | 3 |
| BDAN 430 | Data Visualization | 3 |
| Upper-Level Finance Electives | 6 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| FIN 439 | Security Analysis and Portfolio Management | 3 |
| or FIN 449 | Practicum in Portfolio Management | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Financial Services Focus Area
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Services Focus Area Required Courses | ||
| FIN 333 | Advanced Topics in PFP | 3 |
| FIN 350 | Risk Management and Insurance | 3 |
| FIN 405 | Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Personal Financial Planning | 1.5 |
| FIN 419 | Behavioral Finance and Investing | 1.5 |
| FIN 435 | Commercial Bank Management | 3 |
| MKT 325 | Personal Selling | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
General Business Finance Focus Area
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Business Finance Focus Area Required Courses | ||
| Upper-Level Finance Electives | 12 | |
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| FIN 439 | Security Analysis and Portfolio Management | 3 |
| or FIN 449 | Practicum in Portfolio Management | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Personal Financial Planning Concentration
The Personal Financial Planning concentration requires 87-88 hours of professional and elective courses and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. The personal financial planning concentration deals with the process of developing comprehensive financial plans for individuals. Financial planners help individuals determine financial goals and objectives and the best strategies for obtaining these goals. The rapid growth of multi-income families in the U.S. has placed more and more people in a position of need to apply sophisticated financial planning techniques to their personal economic affairs. As a result, one of the fastest growing career paths in the financial services industry is financial planning, and the Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP) ® designation has become the most widely recognized financial planning credential among consumers.
The Personal Financial Planning concentration is registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards in Washington D.C. We are one of only three registered universities in the state of Kentucky! This registration confers a special advantage on our graduates. Upon completion of our CFP® board certified program, students are allowed to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination.
Western Kentucky University does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, Certified Financial PlannerTM, and CFP® (with flame logo) certification marks. The CFP certification is granted only by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards to those persons who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met its ethics, experience, and examination requirements.
The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the marks CFP®, Certified Financial PlannerTM, and CFP® (with flame logo) which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Financial Planning Concentration Required Courses | ||
| FIN 331 | Applied Investments | 3 |
| FIN 333 | Advanced Topics in PFP | 3 |
| FIN 350 | Risk Management and Insurance | 3 |
| FIN 405 | Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Personal Financial Planning | 1.5 |
| FIN 419 | Behavioral Finance and Investing | 1.5 |
| FIN 422 | Personal Financial Planning Practice Management | 3 |
| FIN 445 | Estate Planning | 3 |
| FIN 444 | Retirement Planning | 3 |
| FIN 450 | Financial Plan Development | 3 |
| FIN 439 | Security Analysis and Portfolio Management | 3 |
| or FIN 449 | Practicum in Portfolio Management | |
| Choose 3-4 hours from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Business Data Analytics | ||
| Data Visualization | ||
| Commercial Bank Management | ||
| Practicum in Portfolio Management | ||
| Security Licensing and Investment Accreditations Lab | ||
| Personal Selling | ||
| Total Hours | 30-31 | |
Finish in Four Plans
Finance majors must earn a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in 300 and 400 level finance courses. In addition, finance majors must earn a “C” or better in FIN 330 and FIN 332.
Finance with Business Finance Concentration
Investment Focus
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| BA 170 | 1 | ACCT 110 | 3 |
| FIN 161 (E-SB) | 3 | Colonnade: Arts & Humanities (E-AH) | 3 |
| COMM 145 (F-OC) | 3 | HIST 101 or HIST 102 (F-SB) | 3 |
| ENG 100 | 3 | Colonnade: Literary Studies (F-AH) | 3 |
| MATH 123 (F-QR) | 3 | ECON 202 | 3 |
| General University Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ACCT 220 | 3 | ECON 206 | 3 |
| MGT 261 | 3 | MKT 220 | 3 |
| BDAN 250 | 3 | Colonnade: Connections (K-SC or K-LG or K-SY)1 | 3 |
| MGT 210 | 3 | Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences (E-NS) | 3 |
| Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences with lab (E-SL) | 3 | General University Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| General University Elective | 3 | FIN 332 | 3 |
| ECON 307 | 3 | FIN 389 | 3 |
| FIN 399 | 1 | FIN 419 | 1.5 |
| FIN 330 | 3 | FIN 331 | 3 |
| Colonnade: Connections (K-SC or K-LG or K-SY)2 | 3 | Colonnade: Connections (K-SC or K-LG or K-SY)3 | 3 |
| Colonnade: Writing in the Disciplines (F-W2) | 3 | ||
| 16 | 13.5 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| FIN 437 | 3 | FIN 439 | 3 |
| FIN 438 | 3 | Finance Upper-Division Elective | 3 |
| Business Elective | 3 | Finance Upper-Division Elective | 1.5 |
| FIN 433 | 3 | MGT 498 or ENT 496 | 3 |
| FIN 449 (by application only) | 3 | FIN 499 | 1 |
| FIN 436 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 14.5 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
Analyst Focus
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| BA 170 | 1 | ACCT 110 | 3 |
| FIN 161 (E-SB) | 3 | Colonnade: Arts & Humanities (E-AH) | 3 |
| COMM 145 (F-OC) | 3 | HIST 101 or HIST 102 (F-SB) | 3 |
| ENG 100 | 3 | Colonnade: Literary Studies (F-AH) | 3 |
| MATH 123 (F-QR) | 3 | ECON 202 | 3 |
| General University Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ACCT 220 | 3 | ECON 206 | 3 |
| MGT 261 | 3 | MKT 220 | 3 |
| BDAN 250 | 3 | Colonnade: Connections (K-SC or K-LG or K-SY)1 | 3 |
| MGT 210 | 3 | Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences (E-NS) | 3 |
| Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences with lab (E-SL) | 3 | General University Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| General University Elective | 3 | FIN 332 | 3 |
| ECON 307 | 3 | FIN 389 | 3 |
| FIN 399 | 1 | Finance Upper-Division Elective | 3 |
| FIN 330 | 3 | Business Elective | 3 |
| Colonnade: Connections (K-SC or K-LG or K-SY)2 | 3 | Colonnade: Connections (K-SC or K-LG or K-SY)3 | 3 |
| Colonnade: Writing in the Disciplines (F-W2) | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| FIN 437 | 3 | Finance Upper-Division Elective | 3 |
| FIN 438 | 3 | BDAN 430 | 3 |
| BDAN 310 | 3 | FIN 436 | 3 |
| FIN 433 | 3 | MGT 498 | 3 |
| FIN 439 or FIN 449 (by application only) | 3 | FIN 499 | 1 |
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
Financial Services Focus
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| BA 170 | 1 | ACCT 110 | 3 |
| FIN 161 (E-SB) | 3 | Colonnade: Arts & Humanities (E-AH) | 3 |
| COMM 145 (F-OC) | 3 | HIST 101 or HIST 102 (F-SB) | 3 |
| ENG 100 | 3 | Colonnade: Literary Studies (F-AH) | 3 |
| MATH 123 (F-QR) | 3 | ECON 202 | 3 |
| General University Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ACCT 220 | 3 | ECON 206 | 3 |
| MGT 261 | 3 | MKT 220 | 3 |
| BDAN 250 | 3 | Colonnade: Connections (K-SC or K-LG or K-SY)1 | 3 |
| MGT 210 | 3 | Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences (E-NS) | 3 |
| Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences with lab (E-SL) | 3 | General University Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| General University Elective | 3 | FIN 332 | 3 |
| FIN 333 | 3 | ECON 307 | 3 |
| FIN 399 | 1 | FIN 419 | 1.5 |
| FIN 330 | 3 | FIN 405 | 1.5 |
| Colonnade: Connections (K-SC or K-LG or K-SY)2 | 3 | Colonnade: Connections (K-SC or K-LG or K-SY)3 | 3 |
| Colonnade: Writing in the Disciplines (F-W2) | 3 | FIN 350 | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| FIN 437 | 3 | MKT 325 | 3 |
| FIN 438 | 3 | FIN 435 | 3 |
| FIN 389 | 3 | FIN 436 | 3 |
| FIN 433 | 3 | MGT 498 or ENT 496 | 3 |
| Business Elective | 3 | FIN 499 | 1 |
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
General Business Finance Focus
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| BA 170 | 1 | ACCT 110 | 3 |
| FIN 161 (E-SB) | 3 | Colonnade: Arts & Humanities (E-AH) | 3 |
| COMM 145 (F-OC) | 3 | HIST 101 or HIST 102 (F-SB) | 3 |
| ENG 100 | 3 | Colonnade: Literary Studies (F-AH) | 3 |
| MATH 123 (F-QR) | 3 | ECON 202 | 3 |
| General University Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ACCT 220 | 3 | ECON 206 | 3 |
| MGT 261 | 3 | MKT 220 | 3 |
| BDAN 250 | 3 | Colonnade: Connections (K-SC or K-LG or K-SY)1 | 3 |
| MGT 210 | 3 | Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences (E-NS) | 3 |
| Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences with lab (E-SL) | 3 | General University Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| General University Elective | 3 | FIN 332 | 3 |
| ECON 307 | 3 | Finance Upper-Division Elective | 3 |
| FIN 399 | 1 | Finance Upper-Division Elective | 3 |
| FIN 330 | 3 | Business Elective | 3 |
| Colonnade: Connections (K-SC or K-LG or K-SY)2 | 3 | Colonnade: Connections (K-SC or K-LG or K-SY)3 | 3 |
| Colonnade: Writing in the Disciplines (F-W2) | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| FIN 433 | 3 | Finance Upper-Division Elective | 3 |
| FIN 437 | 3 | FIN 439 or FIN 449 (by application only) | 3 |
| FIN 438 | 3 | FIN 436 | 3 |
| FIN 389 | 3 | MGT 498 or ENT 496 | 3 |
| Finance Upper-Division Elective | 3 | FIN 499 | 1 |
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
Personal Financial Planning Concentration
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| BA 170 | 1 | ACCT 110 | 3 |
| FIN 161 (E-SB) | 3 | HIST 101 or HIST 102 (F-SB) | 3 |
| ENG 100 (F-W1) | 3 | ECON 202 | 3 |
| MATH 123 (F-QR) | 3 | Colonnade: Literary Studies (F-AH) | 3 |
| COMM 145 (F-OC) | 3 | Colonnade: Arts & Humanities (E-AH) | 3 |
| Colonade: Connections (K-SC or K-LG or K-SY)1 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ACCT 220 | 3 | ECON 206 | 3 |
| MGT 261 | 3 | MKT 220 | 3 |
| BDAN 250 | 3 | Colonnade: Connections (K-SC or K-LG or K-SY)2 | 3 |
| MGT 210 | 3 | Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences (E-NS) | 3 |
| Colonnade: Natural and Physical Sciences (E_SL) | 3 | Colonnade: Writing in the Disciplines (F-W2) | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| FIN 331 | 3 | FIN 332 | 3 |
| ECON 307 | 3 | FIN 389 | 3 |
| FIN 330 | 3 | FIN 419 | 1.5 |
| FIN 399 | 1 | FIN 405 | 1.5 |
| FIN 350 | 3 | FIN 445 | 3 |
| COLONNADE: CONNECTIONS (K-SC OR K-LG OR K-SY)3 | 3 | FIN 403 | 1 |
| 16 | 13 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| FIN 437 | 3 | FIN 439 or FIN 449 (by application only) | 3 |
| FIN 438 | 3 | FIN 450 | 3 |
| FIN 444 | 3 | FIN 499 | 1 |
| FIN 333 | 3 | MGT 498 or ENT 496 | 3 |
| FIN 433 | 3 | FIN 422 | 3 |
| Business Elective from approved list | 3 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Total Hours 121 | |||