Penn State Finance Major Requirements: A Comprehensive Overview

Pursuing a finance major at Penn State requires a structured curriculum designed to equip students with the analytical, quantitative, and communication skills necessary for success in the financial world. The program emphasizes a blend of theoretical foundations and practical applications, preparing graduates for a wide array of career paths.

Entrance to Major (ETM) Requirements

Before officially declaring Finance as your major, you must meet specific Entrance to Major (ETM) criteria. These requirements typically include:

• Completion of a designated number of credits (usually around 29-30).
• Achieving a minimum cumulative GPA, which fluctuates based on demand. Always consult the Smeal College of Business website for the most up-to-date GPA requirement.
• Successful completion of specific prerequisite courses with a minimum grade, such as:
  • Calculus (MATH 110 or MATH 140)
  • Introductory Microeconomics (ECON 102 or ECON 104)
  • Introductory Macroeconomics (ECON 104 or ECON 002)
  • Accounting (ACCTG 211)
  • Business Statistics (Smeal STAT 200 or STAT 250)

Meeting these requirements doesn’t guarantee acceptance into the Finance major, as admission is competitive. Students should strive to exceed the minimum GPA and excel in prerequisite courses.

Core Finance Courses

Once admitted to the Finance major, you’ll delve into a rigorous curriculum of core courses, providing a strong foundation in financial principles. These courses typically cover:

• Financial Management: Principles of corporate finance, including capital budgeting, working capital management, and financial analysis.
• Investments: Analysis of investment vehicles, portfolio management, and asset pricing models.
• Financial Markets: Understanding the structure and function of financial markets, including securities, derivatives, and regulations.
• Financial Modeling: Developing skills in building and analyzing financial models using software such as Excel.

Finance Electives

In addition to core courses, the Finance major requires students to complete elective courses, allowing for specialization in areas of interest. Common elective areas include:

• Corporate Finance: Advanced topics in corporate finance, such as mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, and risk management.
• Investment Management: Deeper exploration of investment strategies, portfolio optimization, and alternative investments.
• Financial Institutions: Study of banks, insurance companies, and other financial intermediaries.
• Real Estate: Principles of real estate finance and investment.
• International Finance: Examination of global financial markets and international financial management.

Other Requirements

Beyond finance-specific courses, Penn State also requires students to fulfill general education requirements, including courses in:

• Writing and Communication
• Quantification
• Arts
• Humanities
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Natural Sciences

Students should consult the Penn State Undergraduate Bulletin and the Smeal College of Business academic advising resources for the most accurate and up-to-date information on Finance major requirements. Proactive planning and seeking guidance from academic advisors are crucial for navigating the program successfully and achieving your academic and career goals.