Finance (Adult Education)

The adult education Bachelor of Science in Finance program is available at the following Alvernia University campuses:

• Reading
• Philadelphia
• Pottsville

Through a rolling admission process, prospective students may apply to Alvernia at any time. Multiple start dates throughout the year allow accepted students to begin a program of study at an accommodating time. We continually review applications and accept students for each of the six term starts (August, October, February, March, May, and July).

Keeping on track is important throughout the process. We encourage you to work with an admission team member to submit all materials and meet all deadlines. Our dedicated team will work directly with you to identify the best options that work for you and your unique situation.

Once your application is complete, you will not have to wait long for a decision. We continually review applications and notify students as soon as a decision has been made.

To get started, visit our Adult Education Application page for a list of instructions and documents needed.

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. Finance majors must complete 57 to 58 credits in the major, including 30-31 in the Business Core and 21 that are specific to finance. Requirements include a six-credit Business Seminar.

Required courses (57-58 credits)

BUS 101 Financial Accounting
BUS 200 Managerial Accounting I or BUS 250 Accounting Principles
BUS 206 Management Principles
BUS 207 Marketing Principles
MAT 208 Statistics OR MAT 209 Probability & Statistics
BUS 305 Accounting Information Systems - or -
BUS 311 Principles of Management Information Systems                          
BUS 342 Business Law
BUS 410 Financial Markets
BUS 411 Corporate Finance
BUS 426 Strategic Management
BUS 438 Business Seminar
BUS 205 Fraud Examination
BUS 225 Insurance and Risk Management
BUS 227 Financial Services
BUS 312 International Business I
BUS 406 Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management
BUS 412 International Business II

Related Requirements (6 credits)

ECON 248 Macroeconomics
ECON 249 Microeconomics

**A total of 123 credits and 3 credits in a human diversity course are required to complete a Bachelor’s degree. To adhere to Franciscan values, community service hours are also required. In addition, at least 30 credits at the 300/400 levels must be taken at Alvernia University. Program requirements are subject to change. Contact your admissions counselor for the most up-to-date information.

• In the John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne, our business lab and Bloomberg Terminals provide financial real time, historical data, market moving news and analytics.
• The O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship offers resources to students and businesses to assist with economic development. Students interested in starting a business or securing a patent have access to the O'Pake Institute business incubator. 
• Customized skills are put into practice with a final project in the capstone course Executive Leadership Seminar.

• Alvernia University’s Business Department programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council of Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP).
• Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the range of jobs available with a bachelor’s degree in finance is projected to grow up to 17 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than average for all occupations. The median annual wage in those professions in 2021 ranged from $80,000 to $179,000.

• Financial analysis
• Banking
• Insurance or investments
• Financial planner 
• Wealth management advisor 
• Commercial real estate agent
• Risk or financial project manager
• Credit card officer
• Underwriter
• Broker of stocks, bonds and commodities
• Positions at the Federal Reserve, Treasury Department or Internal Revenue Service