Learning Objectives

Finance majors will be able to

1. demonstrate command and knowledge of fundamental and technical concepts of finance;
2. effectively and accurately interpret, analyze and present financial data and information in oral, written and graphic forms;
3. apply critical-thinking and problem-solving skills in financial-related business areas;
4. determine when change is appropriate and adapt to change as it occurs;
5. demonstrate a sense of ethics, responsibility, and service to users of financial data and information;
6. demonstrate an awareness of the global financial and business environment; and
7. better discern personal interests and establish career objectives.

Major Requirements

A total of 13.5 units consisting of the following:

Other Information

Majors and minors should be declared no later than the sophomore year. In order to declare one of the department majors or minors, a student must have either a) a 2.5 cumulative University grade point average, or b) a 2.0 cumulative University grade point average and have earned a B in one course taken in the intended major or minor track.

Some major/ minor combinations in the Economics and Business department are permitted, but a minor in business or economics may not be combined with a major in management economics, or international business.

A general principle followed by the department is that no more than three courses may be counted towards completing requirements in more than one program.  For example, a Finance major (13.5 units) also completing an Accounting major (12 units), may not count more than three courses for both programs, so additional coursework (beyond 22.5 units) will be required to complete requirements for this combination of programs.  Additionally, if the Accounting major is combined with another major or minor in the department (business administration major, finance major, management economics major, business minor), ACCT 341 , ACCT 348 , or ACCT 349  may only be utilized for one designation.

It is recommended that the statistics course (MATH 105  or MATH 230  or PSYC 210 ) be completed by the end of the sophomore year as it is a prerequisite to ECON 251 and ECON 252. MATH 105  may not be taken for credit after receiving credit for MATH 110  or above.  (This includes AP calculus or equivalent.)

Only one unit of 495 may be counted and a maximum of two units from 490, 491, and 495 may be counted toward any major in the Economics department.

All elective courses must be upper-level (numbered 250 or above). Students must attain a minimum 2.0 grade point average in their major to graduate. Courses eligible to be counted in the major or minor cannot be taken credit/no entry. All prerequisite courses must be successfully passed with a grade of C- or better to qualify for enrollment in the subsequent course.

A maximum of 13 units of credit in any one discipline (accounting, business, economics, or finance) and 17 total units of credit in the economics department may be counted in the 34 units required for graduation. Additional discipline or department units will result in greater than 34 units required for graduation.

Competencies

ECON 110  and FIN 361  meet the Reason Formally and Quantitatively competency. 

ECON 251  meets the Question Scientifically competency.

Students may use a proficiency examination to meet the requirements of ECON 110 . Information on the proficiency examination for ECON 110  will be given during new student orientation.

Students who transfer courses to Ohio Wesleyan University should consult with the department chair regarding the appropriate credit to be awarded. If several courses are transferred at less than 1.0 unit (3.7 credits), additional courses may be required. For all majors and minors in the department, a majority of the courses must be completed at OWU.