SFSU Finance Major Requirements
A Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance at San Francisco State University (SFSU) provides students with a strong foundation in financial theory and practice. The program prepares graduates for diverse career paths in areas like investment banking, portfolio management, corporate finance, and financial analysis.
Core Requirements
All students pursuing a Finance concentration must complete a set of core business courses, providing a broad understanding of business principles. These courses typically include:
- Financial Accounting (ACCT 101): Introduces fundamental accounting principles and practices.
- Managerial Accounting (ACCT 102): Focuses on the use of accounting information for internal decision-making.
- Business Statistics (DS 110 or equivalent): Covers statistical methods relevant to business analysis.
- Business Law (BLAW 230): Provides an overview of legal principles relevant to business operations.
- Microeconomics (ECON 101): Examines individual decision-making and market dynamics.
- Macroeconomics (ECON 102): Explores the behavior of the overall economy.
- Principles of Management (MGT 300): Introduces fundamental management concepts and practices.
- Principles of Marketing (MKTG 301): Covers the basic principles of marketing strategy and implementation.
- Information Systems (ISYS 263): Explores the role of information systems in organizations.
- Business Communications (ENG 214 or equivalent): Develops effective written and oral communication skills.
Finance Concentration Requirements
In addition to the core business courses, Finance majors must complete specific courses focused on finance principles and applications. These courses build upon the core foundation to provide specialized knowledge in the field.
- Introduction to Finance (FIN 300): This foundational course introduces core financial concepts, including time value of money, risk and return, and financial statement analysis.
- Financial Modeling (FIN 423): Students learn to build and analyze financial models using spreadsheet software, essential for financial forecasting and decision-making.
- Investments (FIN 425): This course covers investment strategies, portfolio management, and the analysis of different types of securities.
- Corporate Finance (FIN 427): Explores corporate financial decisions, including capital budgeting, dividend policy, and working capital management.
Elective Courses
Students typically have the opportunity to choose elective courses within the Finance area, allowing them to specialize in areas of particular interest. Examples of elective courses may include:
- International Finance
- Real Estate Finance
- Financial Derivatives
- Fixed Income Securities
- Financial Institutions
General Education Requirements
All SFSU undergraduates must also fulfill the university’s General Education (GE) requirements, which ensure a broad education across various disciplines. These requirements include courses in areas such as humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and critical thinking.
Important Considerations
- Prerequisites: Many upper-division Finance courses have prerequisites. Students should carefully plan their course schedule to ensure they meet all prerequisites before enrolling in required courses.
- Minimum GPA: A minimum GPA may be required for courses within the major.
- Advising: Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an academic advisor regularly to discuss their academic progress and ensure they are on track to graduate.
Students should consult the official SFSU Bulletin and the Lam Family College of Business website for the most up-to-date and accurate information on program requirements. It is crucial to verify requirements directly with the university, as they may be subject to change.