UIUC Finance Graduation Requirements

Graduating with a finance degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) involves satisfying a comprehensive set of requirements spanning university, college, and major-specific criteria. Prospective graduates must diligently plan their coursework and track their progress to ensure timely completion.

University Requirements

All UIUC undergraduates must fulfill general university requirements, including:

• Minimum Credit Hours: A total of 120 credit hours is mandatory for graduation.
• GPA: A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is required.
• Campus Residency: At least 30 credit hours must be earned in residence at UIUC.
• General Education Requirements: Students must complete coursework in various categories like Composition I & II, Quantitative Reasoning, Natural Sciences & Technology, Humanities & the Arts, and Social & Behavioral Sciences. Specific courses fulfilling these requirements are outlined in the university’s course catalog.

College of Business Requirements

As a finance major within the Gies College of Business, students must also meet college-specific requirements:

• Business Core Courses: Completion of the business core curriculum is essential. This includes foundational courses in areas like accounting, economics, statistics, marketing, operations management, and business law. These courses provide a broad understanding of business principles.
• GPA: A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in business core courses.
• Credit Hours in Business Courses: A minimum number of credit hours (typically around 60) must be earned in courses offered by the Gies College of Business.

Finance Major Requirements

The finance major has its own set of specialized course requirements designed to provide students with in-depth knowledge and skills in financial analysis, investment management, and corporate finance.

• Core Finance Courses: These are mandatory courses that form the foundation of the finance curriculum. They typically include courses such as Corporate Finance, Investments, Financial Institutions, and Derivatives.
• Advanced Finance Courses: Students choose electives from a range of advanced finance courses to specialize in areas of interest. Examples include Portfolio Management, International Finance, Real Estate Finance, and Financial Modeling. Specific options vary and may have prerequisites.
• Experiential Learning: Opportunities for experiential learning, such as internships or case competitions, are strongly encouraged and sometimes partially fulfill requirements. These provide practical application of theoretical concepts.

Advising and Planning

It is highly recommended that finance students meet regularly with academic advisors within the Gies College of Business. Advisors can provide guidance on course selection, degree planning, and career options. Students should utilize online resources such as degree audits to track their progress towards graduation. Furthermore, proactive planning, considering course prerequisites and sequencing, is crucial for ensuring timely completion of the degree.