Completion of an approved transfer associate degree from a Virginia Community College (Transferable Associate Degrees - JMU) will guarantee complete fulfillment of JMU's General Education requirements.
Completion of a Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS) or Passport program from a Virginia Community College will guarantee partial fulfillment of JMU's General Education requirements. Visit our website for specific requirements that are fulfilled (Credit From a Virginia Community College - JMU).
Students who will not be earning an approved transferable associate degree will be responsible for completion of JMU's general education program. For guidance about courses that can be used to complete core community college requirements and will assist with the satisfaction of general education requirements at JMU visit (VCCS and RBC Course Equivalents for JMU's General Education Program - JMU).
Program Details
Bachelor of Business Administration, Major in Finance
Bachelor of Business AdministrationJames Madison University
One or more Transfer Guides are available in the Resource Center for this Institution. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.
The B.B.A. degree with a major in finance requires a minimum of 120 credit hours of undergraduate course work. Fifty percent of this work, or 60 credit hours, must be taken outside of the College of Business. In counting the 60 credit hours of non-business courses, students may include all hours taken in General Education, up to a total of nine hours in economics (ECON courses must be counted as economics), and three hours of COB 191. Business Analytics I. The remaining hours, to bring the total to 60, must be taken from any department outside the College of Business. Students should carefully select these non-business electives to help them gain additional knowledge and expertise for their careers and personal lives.
Students enrolled at James Madison University who wish to change their major to finance should go to the Student Center in MyMadison to submit a request. Students must be in good academic standing to change their major to finance and, if they have taken any FIN prefix courses at the time of the change request, must meet the prerequisites for the required courses in the finance major.
Students who plan to major in finance and earn a score on the Math Placement Exam sufficient for placement into MATH 235 are strongly encouraged to enroll in MATH 235.
Required major courses provide finance majors with a foundation in financial management, investments and institutions. Electives within the major permit students to obtain an additional emphasis and explore other areas within the field of finance.
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | Finance is quantitative, so an interest and ability of applying mathematics to analyze and solve problems is needed. Are you doing well in math and statistics? Are you a problem solver? Are you interested in helping businesses and other entities do well? Are you a good communicator? If so, Finance is right for you. As a Finance major, you will learn the fundamentals of investment decision-making, financial planning, and analyzing funds in different types of entities. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | The Finance major offers opportunities to concentrate in a specific area, including Financial Analysis, Risk Management, and Financial Technology and Analytics. The Financial Analysis concentration covers a large portion of the material on the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level I and II exams, and the Risk Management concentration covers a large portion of the material on the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) exam. For students choosing a minor, the following complement the major well: Computer Information Systems, Business Analytics, Math, Statistics, Economics, and Computer Science. Other opportunities to inquire industry, professional and technical skills include: SAS, Analytic Solver, Crystal Ball, Bloomberg Terminals, Bloomberg Market Concepts Certificate, Madison Investment Fund, Financial Management Association, Women-in-Business Club, the Society of Real Estate, the Madison Venture Group, CFA Investment Research Challenge, Community Bank Case Competition as well as study abroad programs. The department is proud to present the Madison Investment Fund, a student-lead equity investment fund that manages a six-figure portion of the James Madison University endowment. The Fund focuses on providing students with a real-world, professional forum to learn the fundamentals of investments and basics of financial theory while fulfilling the fiduciary duties associated with diligent portfolio management. ÂOther opportunities to gain professional experience and network include the Career Trek program offered through Office of Professional Development and Engagement, the department-sponsored Financial Management Association, the Women-in-Business Club, the Society of Real Estate, the Madison Venture Group, and many other student organizations. ÂDepartment faculty members are active in advising student groups participating national competitions. Each year, we participate CFA Investment Research Challenge, and Community Bank Case Competition. The JMU Banking Team recently took 2nd place in the nationwide 2020 Community Bank Case Study Competition, sponsored by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS). In addition to the College of Business’s Antwerp program, there are short-term study abroad opportunities. These vary each summer, but provide students with the opportunity to earn credit toward the Finance major and to enrich their learning experience in a different cultural and economic environment. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | The College of Business is among only 5% of business schools with accreditation by AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). The finance program is in the CFA University Affiliate program, and we offer CFA scholarships each year to graduating seniors who participate in the CFA level I program. You can view more highlights for the finance program at https://www.jmu.edu/cob/finance/about/highlights.shtml. Based on a sample population, the vast majority of College of Business graduates are employed, in graduate school, continuing education or engaged in other career-related endeavors within 6 months of graduation. You can find data about the successes of recent graduates at https://www.jmu.edu/cob/prospective-students/polishing-performance.shtml. |
Program Credit Requirements
The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between James Madison University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completion of an approved transfer associate degree will guarantee fulfillment of JMU's General Education requirements. https://www.jmu.edu/transfer/VCCStransfer/ASDegrees.shtml |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School |
| Credit for Prior Learning | JMU accepts and reviews AP, IB, CIE and CLEP for all students with eligible scores, which may be different than at your prior institution. JMU will complete an independent review of the test score to apply credit to the JMU student record. Credit for prior learning (CLEP) is awarded on a per case basis for Adult Degree (Individualized Studies Majors) and RN-BSN students only and in consultation with the department of expertise, with the exception of military service credit. Credit for learning acquired in military service is awarded by the registrar's office using the ACE guide credit recommendation for study/experience listed on the military transcript and in consultation with the department of expertise. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | JMU is a mid to large size institution that behaves more like a smaller institution. Faculty and staff hold students as the top priority. JMU has a 96% satisfaction rate. 89% of classes have less than 50 students. JMU is the #1 most recommended public University in the US by the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education; JMU is the #1 Best College for Employment in Virginia according to U.S. Department of Education statistics compiled by Zippia. JMU has the highest post-graduation job levels of all Virginia colleges. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Transfer applicants applying through the Guaranteed Admissions Agreement must submit a Letter of Intent prior to applying to JMU. Requirements and forms are available at: https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/transfer-GAA.shtml |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Bland College | Associate of Science-Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | Online, In-Person |
| Radford University | BBA in Finance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Business Administration | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Financial Management-BSBA | Bachelor | BS in Business Admin. | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Bridgewater College | Business Administration Major - BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Finance, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Finance with concentration in Risk Management and Insurance, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Roanoke College | Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Business Administration | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Business - Finance (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Business - Management (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Business - Marketing (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Regent University | B.S. in Financial Management | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | Hybrid |
| University of Lynchburg | BA in Financial Economics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13-2022.00 | Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | Appraise and estimate the fair value of tangible personal or business property, such as jewelry, art, antiques, collectibles, and equipment. May also appraise land. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-2031.00 | Budget Analysts | Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 25-1011.00 | Business Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 11-1011.00 | Chief Executives | Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers. | Management Occupations |
| 11-1011.03 | Chief Sustainability Officers | Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy. | Management Occupations |
| 13-1141.00 | Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | Conduct programs of compensation and benefits and job analysis for employer. May specialize in specific areas, such as position classification and pension programs. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-2041.00 | Credit Analysts | Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decisionmaking. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 11-3031.00 | Financial Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment. | Management Occupations |
| 13-2099.01 | Financial Quantitative Analysts | Develop quantitative techniques to inform securities investing, equities investing, pricing, or valuation of financial instruments. Develop mathematical or statistical models for risk management, asset optimization, pricing, or relative value analysis. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-2054.00 | Financial Risk Specialists | Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-2099.00 | Financial Specialists, All Other | All financial specialists not listed separately. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-2051.00 | Financial and Investment Analysts | Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-2099.04 | Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts | Obtain evidence, take statements, produce reports, and testify to findings regarding resolution of fraud allegations. May coordinate fraud detection and prevention activities. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 11-1021.00 | General and Operations Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors. | Management Occupations |
| 11-3031.03 | Investment Fund Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors. | Management Occupations |
| 13-2072.00 | Loan Officers | Evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of commercial, real estate, or credit loans. Advise borrowers on financial status and payment methods. Includes mortgage loan officers and agents, collection analysts, loan servicing officers, loan underwriters, and payday loan officers. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-2052.00 | Personal Financial Advisors | Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 11-3031.01 | Treasurers and Controllers | Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization. | Management Occupations |
Cost To Complete