EIC

Business finance Degree

A business finance degree includes coursework in accounting, statistics, economics, and business law, opening doors to exciting and lucrative career paths

In finance, professionals manage money and advise their clients on investment strategies. Professionals with bachelor of finance degrees work as financial analysts, personal financial advisors, and investment analysts. Many of these careers offer above-average salaries and strong projected job growth rates.

After earning bachelor of finance degrees, finance professionals can advance their careers by pursuing master\"s programs or professional certification. This guide provides information on several high-paying careers available to finance majors.

What Kinds of Finance Degrees Are There?

Degree-seekers can study finance at the associate, bachelor\"s, master\"s, and doctoral levels. These degrees prepare graduates for specialized careers like financial analyst, financial manager, or finance professor.

When researching finance careers, prospective students should carefully consider their professional goals. For example, most management-level roles require a graduate degree, so candidates who want to advance to that level should consider earning at least a master\"s.

Associate Degree in Finance

An associate degree in finance introduces enrollees to fundamental financial concepts. Degree-seekers learn about financial accounting, investments, and financial markets. Associate programs also include general education courses in the humanities, mathematics, and the social sciences.

Earning an associate degree generally takes two years. Associate degree-holders can find employment as financial clerks or insurance sales agents. They can also use their credits to transfer into bachelor\"s programs, where they can complete their degrees in half the time.

Bachelor of Finance Degree

Bachelor-level finance majors study financial analysis, financial reporting, and investment strategy. They also take classes in statistics, economics, and business to strengthen their analytical and critical thinking skills. Some programs include a capstone project, which helps students gain pratical experience.

Earning a bachelor\"s degree generally takes four years for full-time students, though learners with prior college credit can often complete their degrees in less time.

Bachelor\"s degrees in finance prepare graduates for employment as budget analysts, financial analysts, and financial examiners. Many personal financial advisors also hold a bachelor\"s degree in finance.

Master Degree in Finance

Management-level roles, such as financial manager, credit manager, and risk manager, typically require master\"s degrees. A master\"s degree in finance usually takes two years to complete, though some programs offer accelerated pathways, which can take just 12 months.

Graduate students study portfolio management, derivatives, and investment strategies. Depending on the program, degree-seekers may also take classes in business management, organizational behavior, or strategic management. Many programs incorporate internships or capstone projects to help enrollees build experience.

What is the Difference Between a Master Degree in Finance and an MBA in Finance?

A master\"s in finance and a master of business administration (MBA) in finance both provide graduate-level training for careers as financial managers, personal financial advisors, or portfolio managers. However, an online MBA includes more general business courses, while a master\"s in finance focuses on practical finance skills.

In either type of master\"s program, finance graduate students receive specialized training and prepare for supervisory and leadership careers.

Doctoral Degree in Finance

A doctorate in finance prepares graduates for the most advanced roles in the finance field. During a doctorate, graduate students usually specialize in areas like corporate finance, financial management, or international finance. A Ph.D. in finance is a research-based degree, culminating in doctoral exams and a doctoral dissertation. Some programs offer a doctor of business administration in finance, which focuses more on practical skills.

Earning a doctorate typically takes 3-6 years. Professionals with doctorates in finance can find work as finance professors and finance researchers. They can also pursue employment as chief financial officers.