Finance is a discipline that deals with allocation of resources on corporate, institutional and personal levels.

Although finance has traditionally consisted of three separate fields—corporate financial management, investments and financial institutions—this distinction has begun to blur with deregulation and globalization. Additionally, many other fields within finance, such as real estate and insurance, have an important impact within a financial education and also within a student’s career choices.

A student may focus in the areas of corporate finance, investment banking and analysis of financial markets. Students examine:

Visit the Department of Finance website

Degree Requirements

Includes foundation courses required for Professional Admission, general education requirements, professional core courses, free electives and a set of specific Finance courses. Sample list of Finance courses:

• Quantitative Financial Management
• Corporate Financial Problems
• International Finance
• Risk Management and Derivatives
• Applied Investment Management
• Financial Modeling
• Bloomberg Certification
• Investments

* Students must achieve Professional Admission (a competitive and selective application process) to move from the pre-professional phase to the professional phase. 
** Check the Degree/Academic Progress Report (APRR's) for your specific academic program requirements per the catalog.

Other Preparation

Internships and Work Experience 
The finance department sponsors an internship program through which students get practical experience, supplemented with academic work. Finance majors should contact the department for further information. Students must earn passing grades in ACCT 400, FIN 360, FIN 360L FIN 412 and FIN 421 before applying for an internship for finance elective credit. Volunteering, summer internships and part-time jobs at financial institutions are encouraged in order to gain valuable work experience and develop skills.

Clubs and Organizations
The college has a wide variety of professional fraternities, honoraries and student clubs. Student organizations offer: career information; networking opportunities; social and professional activities; and provide leadership roles and skills building opportunities. 

Student organizations for Finance majors include:

• Commercial Real Estate Club is a student organization that focuses on developing technical knowledge of commercial real estate while networking with professionals in the industry.
• The Financial Management Association is a professional and academic association whose student members interface with professionals from dynamic financial institutions as well as with representatives from major investment firms.
• The Investments Club is a student organization that facilitates an environment where students can develop a better understanding of investment strategies while interacting with professionals in the investment community. 
• The CFA Club meets weekly to learn more about and prepare for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exams. The Club maintains a partnership with the CFA Society of Tucson, allowing members the opportunity to attend speaker events with current charter holders and engage in topic reviews.

Visit the Federation of Eller Student Organizations website for more information.

Master of Science in Finance (Online and In-Person)
The Eller College Finance Department offers Master of Science in Finance (MSF) programs in person and online. These programs can be pursued after completion of a degree without any requisite work experience in the interim. For more information, please contact Celine Lucas at celinelucas@arizona.edu. 

Accelerated Master of Science in Finance
For students looking to complete their master’s degree in just two semesters, the Accelerated Master if Science in Finance (AMP-MSF) is a great option. Interested students should email Erin McGuinness at erinkmcguinness@arizona.edu.

Career Opportunities

The need for skilled finance professionals is increasing due to the demands of global trade, the proliferation of complex financial instruments, changing federal and state laws and regulations and the entry of baby boomers into retirement with a bewildering array of investment choices.

Types of jobs include:

Finance Careers Overview

Certification and Licenses

Financial managers may broaden their skills and exhibit competency in certain fields by attaining professional certification, such as:

• Chartered Financial Analyst (Association for Investment Management and Research)
• Credit Business Associate, Credit Business Fellow, Certified Credit Executive (National Association of Credit Management)
• Certified Cash Manager (Treasury Management Association)
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
• Certified Financial Manager (CFM)
• Chartered Financial Consultant

The Series 7 is the NASD/NYSE exam required by most broker-dealers for their registered representatives.

Salaries

Starting salaries vary by size and type of employer, location, and experience. In addition, finance positions often include bonuses and commissions. The mean noted below is from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

• National mean starting salary, Finance/Financial Management: $72,227 (Spring 2023 - NACE)

Professional Associations

Recruitment Opportunities

Finance graduates obtain jobs through various avenues, leading to placements with a wide range of firms and organizations. On-campus recruitment opportunities include the fall and spring Eller Expo and Career Showcase, hosted by the Eller College, and the fall and spring "Career Days", hosted by the University of Arizona Student Engagement and Career Development.

A sample of employers that have hired Eller Finance majors for full-time placement through the Eller Professional Development Center: