Finance

Getting Started

Where You Can Get A Degree

The Bachelor of Science in Finance program is available at the following Alvernia University campus:

• Reading

General Notes

• A minimum of 123 credits are required for graduation.
• Credits earned for COM 100 and MAT 100 do not count toward the 123 credits required for graduation; however, COM 100 students may petition for elective credit.
• Where appropriate, courses required for the major can be used to satisfy General Education requirements. However, the credits earned for these courses are applied to either Gen Ed requirements or the major, not both.
• Paths of Knowledge coursework may count towards major or minor requirements, but may not fulfill a second Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration requirement.
• Students are expected to follow the catalog requirements for General Education, the major, and additional requirements.
• A minor or second major within the areas listed under Paths of Knowledge automatically fulfills that area of the Gen Ed requirements.

Application Instructions

Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the Alvernia web portal or The Common Application. To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.

Financing Your Education

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.

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Program Overview

Curriculum: General Education

Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours. In addition, Finance majors must complete 61 credits in the major.

First Year Curriculum: Enduring Questions

• SEARCH Seminar-Enduring Questions or Honor Search-Enduring Questions (3 credits: SRH 101 or HNR 160)
• COM 101 Composition & Research: Must earn a C or higher (3 credits)
• THE 105 Foundations of Theology (3 credits)
• PHI 105 Introduction to Philosophy (3 credits)

Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration Credits

• Exploring the Natural World (6-8 credits)
  • Lab Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
  • Math (Other than MAT 100, MAT 208, or MAT 209; MAT 110 is recommended.)
• Individuals & Communities (6 credits)
  • History or Political Science
  • PSY 101, HIS, POS, SOC, SSC, or ECON 3
• Culture & Language (9 credits)
  • Communication (Not COM 100 or 101; COM 344 will satisfy) 
  • World Language – 2 courses in sequence (6 credits)
• Creative Expressions (6 credits)
  • Literature (ENG)
  • Art, Music, or Theatre

Ethical Leaders and Followers Credits

• Theology or Philosophy (200-400 level) (3 credits)
• Theology or Philosophy (Ethics/Morality @ 200 level) (3 credits)

Curriculum: Paths of Knowledge

Paths of Knowledge may count towards minor or Related Requirements, but not Mid-Level Arts Exploration requirements. Choose one path.

PATH 1: Interdisciplinary Study (IS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level from the interdisciplinary minors of Women & Gender Studies, Digital Media, Community & Environmental Sustainability, Community Engagement, Cultural Studies, Leadership Studies or Pre-Law.

PATH 2: Multi-disciplinary Study (MS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level employing multiple disciplinary perspectives to explore the Enduring Questions in one of the following themes: Cultural & Global Studies, Imagination & Creativity, Peace & Conflict, Poverty & Wealth or Sustainability, Science & Technology.

PATH 3: In-depth Disciplinary Study (DS)

Three courses at the 200-400 level in one Liberal Arts discipline other than one’s major, guided by common ideas and methods of inquiry. Students choose from Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Theology, Theatre or World Languages. This path may be used to give students a firm foundation in a discipline supporting their chosen major, or to pursue an interest in one of the Liberal Arts disciplines.

Curriculum: Major Requirements

All Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-55 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours. In addition, Finance majors must complete 61 credits in the major.

Business Core (30 credits)

• BUS 101: Financial Accounting*
• BUS 200: Managerial Accounting OR BUS 250: Accounting Principals (this course is recommended for students considering an ACCT major; consult with BUS 101 professor)
• BUS 206: Management Principles*
• BUS 207: Marketing Principles*
• Choose between MAT 208 and MAT 209:
  • MAT 208: Introductory Statistics (pre-requisite: satisfactory score math placement) OR
  • MAT 209: Probability & Statistics (pre-requisite: HS algebra and satisfactory score math placement)
• BUS 315: Data Analytics & Information Systems
• BUS 342: Business Law
• BUS 410: Financial Markets (pre-requisite: ECON 248 or ECON 249)
• BUS 411: Corporate Finance (pre-requisite: BUS 200 or BUS 250)
• BUS 426: Strategic Management (pre-requisite: BUS 200 or BUS 250; pre- or co-requisite: BUS 411, senior-level standing)

* must earn a grade of "C" or better

Required Finance Courses (6 credits)

• BUS 205: Fraud Examination
• BUS 225: Insurance and Risk Management
• BUS 227: Financial Services
• BUS 312: International Business I (fulfills diversity)
• BUS 406: Investment Analysis I (pre-requisite: BUS 227)
• BUS 412: International Business II (pre-requisite: BUS 312; fulfills diversity)

 

 

Required Related Area Courses (9 credits)

• ECON 248: Macroeconomics
• ECON 249: Microeconomics
• COM 344: Writing for the Workplace

High Performer Development Series (3 credits)

• BUS 251: High Performer Development Series I
• BUS 351: High Performer Development Series II (pre-requisite: BUS 251)
• BUS 451: High Performer Development Series III (pre-requisite: BUS 351)

 

Professional Readiness (1 credit)

• UNIV 200: Career & Internship Preparation

Recommended Cooperative Education (at least 3 credits; 9 credits max for BUS 441 and BUS 442)

• BUS 441: Cooperative Education in Business I (pre-requisite: Senior standing, completed 90 credits
  and UNIV 200)
• BUS 442: Cooperative Education in Business II (pre-requisite: Senior standing, completed 90 credits
  and UNIV 200, BUS 441)

 

Business Minor

Students who major in another area can minor in business by earning 21 credits. Required courses for a business minor are:

• BUS 101 Financial Accounting
• BUS 200 Managerial Accounting
• BUS 206 Management Principles
• BUS 207 Marketing Principles
• BUS 342 Business Law
• BUS 410 Financial Markets
• ECON 248 Macroeconomics OR ECON 249 Microeconomics

Major Notes

To graduate with a Business degree, students must:

• Have earned and maintain an overall grade point average of 2.0
• Have earned 60 credits
• Earn a “C” or higher in BUS 101, BUS 206, BUS 207 and the math course taken to fulfill the Liberal  Arts General Education.
• There is a 75 Hour Experiential Learning Graduation Requirement for all business majors. Please consult with your academic advisor for more information. 

Experiential Learning Opportunities

• 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 provides a support system that can elevate aspiring and existing entrepreneurs as well as provide experiential learning opportunities for students, clients and mentors. Services
  are delivered through an integrated network of partners, mentors, staff and student expertise. Fields include accounting, business development, communications, digital design, engineering and marketing.
• The Future Business Leaders of America, Inc. (FBLA) is the largest business career and technical student organization in the
  world. FBLA Collegiate is the collegiate division of FBLA and is dedicated to inspiring and developing the next generation of
  leaders by preparing members for careers in business and business-related fields.
• Business faculty at Alvernia conduct research in a variety of areas, including leadership, management, organizational development, strategy, market research, international marketing, time management, conflict resolution, international leadership and hiring of part-time employees. As a business major, there may be an opportunity for you to assist in faculty research, and to benefit from the knowledge gained through faculty research.

Accreditation Statements

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

Career Outlook

After earning your Bachelor of Science in Finance , you can pursue a variety of careers, including:

• Financial planner
• Wealth management advisor
• Commercial real estate agent
• Risk or financial project manager
• Credit officer
• Underwriter
• Broker of stocks, bonds, and commodities
• Positions at federal agencies such as the Federal Reserve, Treasury Department or Internal Revenue Service

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the range of jobs available with a bachelor’s degree in accounting 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.

Opportunities for Majors

Phi Beta Lambda

Phi Beta Lambda provides opportunities students to develop vocational competencies for business and office occupations and business teacher education. The specific goals are to promote competent, aggressive business leadership, understand American business enterprise, establish career goals, encourage scholarship, promote sound financial management, and develop character and self-confidence and to facilitate transition from school to work. The Alvernia College PBL Chapter has won many awards on both state and national levels. In competitions, the Alvernia PBL Chapter regularly participates in state and national workshops and conferences, is active in campus projects and completes community service projects.

The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)

IMA is the world's largest organization devoted to management accountants, financial management and information management professionals. IMA Student Chapters promote careers in those areas and helps to develop leadership skills.

Internship Opportunities

Internship placements for our students have included Citizen’s Bank, Walt Disney World, Rohm & Haas, Vanguard, GVA Smith Mack, Haines & Kibblehouse, US Department of Treasury, US Department of Finance, Stroehmann/Maier’s Bakery, Webb Insurance, InRoads, Reading Royals, Olsen/DeTurck, Philadelphia Eagles, Cott Beverage, Four Seasons Produce, Morgan Stanley, Ernst & Young and the Camden Riversharks.

The Washington Center Experience

Alvernia students have an opportunity to earn college credit by spending a semester or summer in Washington, D.C. where they serve as interns in a congressional office, government agency, major corporation, newspaper or news network, or agencies devoted to legal affairs, international relations, or business and economics. Participants are customarily juniors or seniors who have achieved grade point averages of 2.5 or better and who have the endorsement of the appropriate academic area. In addition to their internship, students select one seminar dealing with the arts and humanities, communication, public policy, the legal system, business, and government. Interested students should see their academic advisor.

Delta Mu Delta

Delta Mu Delta is a business honor society that recognizes and encourages academic excellence of students to create a community that fosters the well-being of its individual members and the business community through life-time membership.

Bloomberg Terminal

Alvernia University students have access to the Bloomberg Terminal, located in the CollegeTowne building. The Bloomberg Terminal provides real-time and historical data, market moving news, and analytics to help leading business and financial professionals worldwide make better informed investment decisions. The university’s subscription to the Bloomberg Terminal will enable students to become family with tools used in financial services while reinforcing classroom theory.

Get to Know Your Faculty

For more information about Alvernia’s Finance program contact the Admissions Office at 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to Header School of Business Chair Tufan Tiglioglu at 610-796-8278 or tufan.tiglioglu@alvernia.edu. To see a list of lecturers in the College of Business, Communication, and Leadership, click here.