Wake Forest Finance Major Requirements
The Wake Forest University School of Business offers a rigorous and comprehensive Finance major designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in various finance-related careers. The curriculum blends theoretical foundations with practical applications, preparing graduates for roles in investment banking, asset management, corporate finance, and more.
Core Business Curriculum
Before diving into the specific finance coursework, all business majors, including finance students, must complete the foundational business core. This core provides a broad understanding of key business disciplines.
- ACC 111: Financial Accounting: An introduction to the principles and practices of financial accounting.
- ACC 112: Managerial Accounting: Focuses on the use of accounting information for internal decision-making.
- MKT 111: Marketing Management: Provides an overview of marketing concepts and strategies.
- OPM 201: Operations Management: Explores the management of processes and resources to produce goods and services.
- BUS 110: Business and Society: Examines the ethical, social, and political environment of business.
- QBA 111: Business Statistics: Introduces statistical methods for business decision-making.
- QBA 212: Business Analytics: Explores data analysis techniques for extracting insights and improving business performance.
- Economics Courses: Principles of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics (ECON 150 and ECON 160).
Finance Major Specific Courses
The finance major itself builds upon the core curriculum with a series of specialized courses designed to provide in-depth knowledge of financial theory and practice.
- FIN 220: Principles of Finance: A foundational course covering core finance concepts such as time value of money, risk and return, and capital budgeting.
- FIN 321: Investments: Explores the principles of investment analysis and portfolio management.
- FIN 322: Corporate Finance: Focuses on the financial decisions made by corporations, including capital structure, dividend policy, and working capital management.
- FIN 325: Financial Modeling: Develops skills in building and using financial models for valuation and decision-making.
- FIN 390: Financial Markets: Provides an overview of the structure and function of financial markets.
Electives
In addition to the required finance courses, students must also choose elective courses to further specialize their knowledge in areas of interest. Common elective options include:
- FIN 323: Fixed Income Securities: In-depth study of bonds and other fixed-income instruments.
- FIN 326: Real Estate Finance: Covers the principles of real estate investment and financing.
- FIN 327: Derivatives: Explores the use of options, futures, and other derivative securities.
- FIN 391: International Finance: Examines the financial issues faced by multinational corporations.
- FIN 393: Financial Statement Analysis: Develops skills in analyzing financial statements to assess firm performance and value.
Additional Requirements and Recommendations
- A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in all business courses.
- Students are strongly encouraged to participate in internships to gain practical experience.
- Consider pursuing a minor in a related field such as mathematics, statistics, or economics to enhance your quantitative skills.
- Networking with alumni and industry professionals is highly recommended.
By successfully completing the required coursework and engaging in extracurricular activities, Wake Forest finance majors are well-prepared to launch successful careers in the finance industry.