Lehigh Finance Curriculum: Building Future Financial Leaders

Lehigh University’s Finance Department, housed within the College of Business, offers a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a dynamic and competitive global financial landscape. The program emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical applications, preparing graduates for a wide range of career paths.

The core curriculum provides a strong foundation in key financial principles. Students delve into corporate finance, investments, financial markets, and financial modeling. Courses like Principles of Finance and Financial Statement Analysis provide fundamental understandings, while Investment Analysis introduces students to asset valuation, portfolio management, and risk analysis. Quantitative skills are emphasized throughout, with courses requiring proficiency in statistical analysis and programming.

Beyond the core, students can tailor their studies to align with their specific interests through a variety of elective courses. Options include specialized areas such as:

• Financial Modeling: This equips students with the skills to build and analyze complex financial models, essential for roles in investment banking, private equity, and corporate finance.
• Fixed Income Securities: This explores the intricacies of the bond market, including valuation, risk management, and trading strategies.
• Real Estate Finance: Students learn about the financial aspects of real estate investment, development, and management.
• Derivatives: This course delves into the world of options, futures, and other derivative instruments, covering their pricing, hedging applications, and risk management considerations.
• International Finance: Students examine financial issues in a global context, including exchange rates, international investment, and multinational corporate finance.

The curriculum integrates experiential learning opportunities to further enhance practical skills. The Martindale Student Associates Program allows high-achieving students to conduct independent research projects, often in collaboration with faculty members. Students also have the opportunity to participate in case competitions, simulations, and internships at leading financial institutions. Lehigh’s location near major financial centers like New York City and Philadelphia provides excellent internship opportunities.

Furthermore, the program emphasizes ethical considerations in finance. Students are encouraged to develop a strong understanding of ethical principles and their application to financial decision-making. This is particularly important in today’s environment, where ethical lapses can have significant consequences.

Graduates of Lehigh’s Finance program are well-prepared for a variety of careers in investment banking, asset management, corporate finance, private equity, consulting, and other related fields. The combination of a strong theoretical foundation, practical skills, and ethical awareness ensures that Lehigh finance graduates are highly sought after by employers and poised for long-term success.