Finance Major
Finance Major
Finance is concerned with corporate management of money and investment in various financial instruments, often through financial institutions such as banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies, and real estate brokerages.
Even though these areas may seem to involve quite different ideas and applications, such concepts as risk and the time value of money play important roles in all these ventures. The finance program emphasizes effective teaching and student involvement in the educational process with an eye to the concept of lifelong learning. We hope to prepare students not only for entry-level positions, but also with the skills necessary to adapt and grow in a satisfying career.
Careers
Visit the Finance career planning Web site and explore a range of career opportunities. The site is organized based on broad areas of career interest including business financial management, financial institutions, investments & portfolio management, insurance & risk management, and real estate management. Information provided includes career paths, alumni profiles, professional certification, professional publications, faculty, course information, and student organizations. This site was developed in collaboration with the Finance Advisory Board, financial executives who provide advice to the FIL chair and faculty on curriculum, job placement, and many other matters that affect students in the Finance program.
Curriculum
The finance major at Illinois State University prepares students for successful careers by building on the core business curriculum required of all business majors. Required finance courses cover corporate financial management, investments, financial institutions, and financial theory. After students specialize through selected elective courses and internship experiences, they are ready for entry-level positions in finance and future career growth.
Educational Investment Fund
The Educational Investment Fund (EIF) is a real-money, student-run investment portfolio. Students in their senior year are selected on the basis of merit. A Board of Directors of industry professionals meets regularly with the students and provides individual mentorship. Fund proceeds are used for scholarships, awards, and other departmental and student needs. The Financial Markets Lab in the College of Business Building is the home for EIF. The room is equipped with state-of-the art technology and the latest in financial software.
Faculty
Outstanding scholars teach all courses, sharing their professional experiences and academic research with their students. Several faculty are nationally known for their teaching ability and dedication to their students. Faculty members are active in leadership positions in academic organizations; several have published textbooks; and all have been published in leading academic journals. Their dedication to their profession is outstanding.
Internships and Student Involvement
Internships are available to provide on-the-job experience and the department sponsors a student chapter of the Financial Management Association that fosters interaction among finance students, faculty, and industry professionals.
