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Finance (B.S.)

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IT’S NO SECRET that virtually every type of private and public business organization needs people trained in finance. With a Johnson & Wales University Finance degree, you’ll develop a solid foundation in capital management, investment and portfolio management, financial institutions, and personal finance that will prepare you for a career in a variety of settings, including the financial markets, investment banking, and securities.

JWU’s Finance program gives you an advantage. Its distinct, student-centered teaching and hands-on experiential approach to learning help make you job-ready. In a lab-based environment, you’ll have the chance to develop and apply both specialized technical skills and soft skills that are crucial for success in today’s financial industry and the constantly changing world of business.

You’ll work in teams alongside industry-credentialed faculty mentors for case discussions, spreadsheet analysis, and investment projects. Our small classes allow you to get to know your professors well — and they’ll get to know you, giving you access to their networks of companies and employers.

Top Alumni Skills

Accounting • Customer Relationship Management • Financial Services • Financial Analysis • Investments • Portfolio Management 

Participating in the Global Asset Management Education (G.A.M.E.) Forum competition has made such a positive impact on my outlook in both personal and career development. TONY GIORDANO '18

Top Occupations for JWU Finance Alums

  • Accountants & Auditors
  • Financial Risk Specialists
  • Chief Executives
  • Securities, Commodities & Financial Services Sales Agents
  • Financial & Investment Analysts
  • Personal Financial Advisors

19 students for every 1 faculty member and a 97.7% career outcomes rate

For an explanation of the career outcomes rate and other information, visit JWU Student Consumer Information.

This program is available in Providence. To view a full course listing, see the JWU Catalog link below.

 

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Featured Finance Faculty

Professor Dias Carlos
Carlos Diaz

Associate Professor

In addition to teaching, Diaz is involved with JWU’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. He also serves as a speaker at JWU’s ESL Transition workshops.

JWU Faculty Profile Default
Jean Holt

Associate Professor

Associate Professor Holt has experience working in large financial institutions as a FINRA-licensed Financial Advisor. She teaches a wide range of finance courses, from foundation to senior seminar.

Professor Stevan Labush
Stevan Labush

Associate Professor

With 30 years of finance experience, Associate Professor Labush holds a Life, Health & Annuity license, a Series 6 (Limited-Investment Securities) license, and a Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent) license.

Sample Finance Courses

  • Investments
  • Portfolio Management & Analysis
  • Corporate Finance Futures and Options
  • International Finance
  • Experiential Education Projects in Financial Modeling and Valuation

Explore the full JWU Catalog course listing:

Providence

In addition to classes, free elective credit can be applied to a number of options such as Directed Experiential Education (DEE), internship, minor or study abroad. You are encouraged to contact an advisor before scheduling free elective credits.

Top Employers of JWU Finance Alums

  • Bank of America Corporation
  • JP Morgan, Chase, Inc.
  • Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Fidelity Investments
  • State Street Corporation

Expand Your Finance Knowledge Outside the Classroom

How would you like to help manage a portion of the JWU endowment as a portfolio manager, director of investment research or sector analyst? As a finance or accounting major, you can.

The JWU Wildcat Investment Value Fund (WIVF) is a campus-based internship opportunity available to qualified students beginning in the junior year. Unlike investment programs at other universities, at JWU you’ll work in an entirely virtual platform, utilizing the latest platforms from Money.net and Zoom or MS Teams. And WIVF is a great internship option for international students who often face regulatory barriers to internships in U.S. financial services groups.

In addition, you can get a head start on your career as early as your first year at JWU by getting involved in the Finance and Investment Academy (FIA) and accessing a valuable alumni network.

There, you can learn portfolio management skills through the Kantor Challenge; master financial modeling with the Wall Street Prep Advanced Excel Workshop; and gain perspectives from financial and investment professionals and compete in a student-managed portfolio competition through the Global Asset Management Education (G.A.M.E.) Forum.

Propel Yourself Further

You’lll also have an opportunity to investigate the dynamic relationship between finance and accounting, management or economics by double majoring in one of these subject areas. Or you can develop expertise in areas that complement your finance major by adding a minor, such as economics. Either of these options can add value to your understanding of the business world.

JWU’s Added Value

In our finance classrooms,you’ll be able to develop advanced Excel skills so that you can apply the analytical and conceptual skills necessary to add value to a finance-based position.

  • This in-depth course of study will help prepare you for SEC Securities Industry Essentials Exam, Level 1 of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and/or Certified Financial Planner(CFP) designations.
  • Upon successful completion of Experiential Education Projects in Financial Modeling and Valuation (FISV3199), you’ll receive an industry-recognized certificate in Advanced Excel, Financial Statement Analysis and Financial Modeling by completing the Wall Street Prep Advanced Excel course.
  • $76,721: Estimated Average Salary of JWU Finance Alums

Related Reading

MEET THE FINANCE & INVESTMENT ACADEMY

GET IN THE G.A.M.E.

Faculty Contact

PROVIDENCE

Timothy Howes
Department Chair
401-598-1404
Email

JWU Rankings + Badges 2020-21: Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, U.S. News