Wustl Finance Major Requirements

Washington University in St. Louis’ Olin Business School offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a major in Finance. The finance major provides a strong foundation in financial theory and practice, preparing students for careers in investment banking, asset management, corporate finance, and more.

The Finance major requires a combination of core business courses, finance-specific courses, and general education requirements. Here’s a breakdown:

Core Business Courses:

All BSBA students, regardless of their major, must complete a set of core business courses. These courses provide a broad understanding of business principles and practices. Key areas include:

• Financial Accounting: Understanding financial statements and accounting principles.
• Managerial Accounting: Using accounting information for internal decision-making.
• Statistics for Business: Applying statistical methods to business problems.
• Microeconomics: Understanding market behavior and resource allocation.
• Macroeconomics: Understanding the overall economy and government policies.
• Legal Environment of Business: Examining the legal framework for business operations.
• Marketing Management: Principles of marketing and consumer behavior.
• Organizational Behavior: Understanding individual and group dynamics in organizations.
• Operations and Supply Chain Management: Managing the flow of goods and services.
• Strategy: Developing and implementing competitive strategies.

Finance Major Courses:

The finance major itself includes specific courses designed to provide in-depth knowledge of financial topics. These typically include:

• Corporate Finance: Covers capital budgeting, valuation, financing decisions, and risk management.
• Investments: Explores investment strategies, portfolio management, and security analysis.
• Financial Markets and Institutions: Examines the structure and function of financial markets and institutions.
• Financial Modeling: Learning to construct financial models in excel to evaluate projects or company performace.
• Electives: Students typically choose a few elective courses from a range of advanced finance topics, such as derivatives, fixed income securities, real estate finance, or international finance. The number of electives may vary, but they allow students to specialize in areas of interest.

General Education Requirements:

In addition to the business and finance coursework, students must also fulfill general education requirements to ensure a well-rounded education. These requirements typically include courses in:

• Humanities: Literature, philosophy, history, or other humanities disciplines.
• Social Sciences: Psychology, sociology, political science, or other social science disciplines.
• Natural Sciences: Biology, chemistry, physics, or other natural science disciplines.
• Quantitative Reasoning: Mathematics and statistics courses beyond the core business requirements.
• Writing: Developing strong written communication skills.

Important Considerations:

• GPA Requirements: Students must maintain a certain GPA in their business and finance courses to remain in good standing within the Olin Business School.
• Prerequisites: Many upper-level finance courses have prerequisites, so it’s essential to plan coursework carefully.
• Study Abroad: Olin encourages students to study abroad, and there are opportunities to take finance-related courses in other countries.
• Experiential Learning: Olin offers various experiential learning opportunities, such as internships and case competitions, which can provide valuable practical experience.

For the most up-to-date and detailed information, it’s recommended to consult the official Washington University in St. Louis Olin Business School website and speak with an academic advisor.