Northern Illinois University: Finance Program Overview

Northern Illinois University (NIU) offers a robust Finance program within its College of Business, known for its practical approach, strong faculty, and career-focused preparation. The program aims to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and analytical skills necessary to succeed in various finance-related roles.

Curriculum and Specializations

The Bachelor of Science in Finance at NIU provides a comprehensive curriculum covering key areas such as:

• Financial Accounting
• Corporate Finance
• Investments
• Financial Institutions
• Risk Management

Beyond the core curriculum, NIU offers specialization options, allowing students to tailor their studies to specific career interests. These may include:

• Financial Planning: Focuses on advising individuals and families on wealth management, retirement planning, and investment strategies.
• Investment Management: Delves deeper into portfolio management, security analysis, and trading strategies.
• Corporate Finance: Explores financial decision-making within organizations, including capital budgeting, mergers and acquisitions, and working capital management.

Experiential Learning and Opportunities

NIU emphasizes experiential learning through various initiatives. Students can gain practical experience through:

• Internships: NIU actively facilitates internship opportunities with leading financial institutions and corporations in the Chicago area and beyond.
• Student Managed Portfolio: A program where students manage a real investment portfolio, gaining hands-on experience in investment analysis and portfolio construction.
• Case Competitions: Participation in national and international case competitions provides opportunities to apply finance knowledge to solve real-world business problems.
• Student Organizations: Finance-related student organizations, such as the Finance Student Association, offer networking events, workshops, and guest speaker series.

Faculty and Resources

The Finance faculty at NIU comprises experienced academics and industry professionals who bring real-world insights into the classroom. Faculty members are actively engaged in research and are committed to providing students with personalized attention and mentorship.

NIU also provides access to state-of-the-art resources, including:

• Financial Databases: Access to industry-standard financial databases like Bloomberg Terminal and WRDS.
• Trading Simulation Software: Simulation software to practice trading strategies and manage investment portfolios.
• Career Services: Dedicated career services to assist students with resume building, interview preparation, and job search strategies.

Career Prospects

Graduates of NIU’s Finance program are well-prepared for a wide range of careers in:

• Investment Banking
• Financial Analysis
• Corporate Finance
• Financial Planning
• Portfolio Management
• Risk Management

NIU’s strong alumni network and its location near Chicago, a major financial center, provide graduates with excellent career opportunities.