Finance Major Requirements
(18 credits)
Students must achieve a grade of “C-” or better in FIN 220 Introduction to Finance to be entered into the Finance major program.
In addition to the requirements below, students must select one area of concentration to complete.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Business Core | ||
| See Business Core Requirements | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| FIN 307 | Financial Markets & Institutions | 3 |
| FIN 309 | Intermediate Corporate Finance | 3 |
| FIN 312 | Investments | 3 |
| Three upper level FIN electives (300-400 level), excluding FIN 491 Finance Internship and FIN 399 Finance Co-op. | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Students must achieve a grade of at least “C-” in each of the major courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the major. Finance concentrations have stricter requirements that are designed to assist you in identifying the correct path within the discipline.
Finance Minor Requirements
(Available to all non-business majors)
(18 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 210 | Introduction to Accounting | 3 |
| ECO 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| FIN 220 | Introduction to Finance | 3 |
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Personal Financial Planning | ||
| Financial Markets & Institutions | ||
| International Finance | ||
| Intermediate Corporate Finance | ||
| Investments | ||
| Financial Modeling | ||
| Corporate Cash Management | ||
| Entrepreneurial Finance | ||
| Fixed Income and Derivatives | ||
| Financial Analysis and Ethics | ||
| Private Wealth Management | ||
| Investment Analysis | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Students must achieve a minimum 2.0 GPA in the minor with no course grade below a “C-.”
Finance Concentrations
Concentration in Private Wealth Management
Concentration in Investment Analysis
Concentration in Financial Management
Concentration in Private Wealth Management
(21 credits)
The Concentration in Private Wealth Management (PWM) prepares students for a career as a Financial Advisor. The course sequence will provide a foundation for students to take the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam during their senior year prior to graduation. The SIE is a portion of the Series 7 exam required by all brokerages and advisory firms and is the entry-level credential that all financial advisors must earn in order to advance in their career in Finance. Students will undergo frequent benchmark testing through their finance courses, assessing necessary knowledge and thinking to achieve mastery. (A double major or minor in Business Analytics is a recommended complement. Students who are sales-oriented may consider the concentration in Financial Services Marketing.)
Admission
This program is only available to Rider undergraduate Norm Brodsky College of Business students majoring in Finance. With the exception of Finance-Accounting double majors, all Finance majors with a GPA of 2.50 who have completed 30 credits are automatically enrolled in the Concentration in PWM. Transfer students entering with 30 credits are automatically enrolled in PWM during their first semester.
Finance-Accounting double majors are permitted to enroll in this concentration at their discretion. Students can switch to or add the concentration in Financial Management, if desired, after earning 30 credits. Students may “opt-out” of having a concentration with permission of the Department Chair.
Graduation Requirement
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 at graduation and a minimum grade of C is necessary in each of the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 210 | Introduction to Accounting | 3 |
| ACC 220 | Managerial Uses of Accounting | 3 |
| FIN 220 | Introduction to Finance | 3 |
| FIN 305 | Personal Financial Planning | 3 |
| FIN 307 | Financial Markets & Institutions | 3 |
| FIN 312 | Investments | 3 |
| FIN 405 | Private Wealth Management | 3 |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Concentration in Investment Analysis
(15 credits)
This program prepares students for a variety of careers in investments and corporate finance. By taking the required courses for the program, participants will receive in-depth training involving investment tools, valuation of assets, and management of investments that will position them to enter the fields of security analysis and portfolio management. Although the focus of the program is on investments, the knowledge that participants gain from the required courses is highly valued in other finance fields such as financial planning and treasury management. (A double major or minor in Business Analytics is a recommended complement).
This program is also designed to prepare students for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1 Exam. The CFA designation is globally recognized by employers and investment professionals. The content of the required courses for the concentration, along with the other required courses for a business undergraduate degree, cover a significant portion of the CFA Level 1 Exam curriculum.
Admission
Rider undergraduate Norm Brodsky College of Business students majoring in Finance or double-majoring in Finance may apply for this concentration after completing 60 credits. Students enrolled in the Concentration in Private Wealth Management are encouraged to add this second program if they meet the following criteria:
- minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25
- minimum grade of "B" in FIN 220
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses for the Concentration: | ||
| FIN 309 | Intermediate Corporate Finance | 3 |
| FIN 312 | Investments | 3 |
| FIN 360 | Fixed Income and Derivatives | 3 |
| FIN 370 | Financial Analysis and Ethics 1 | 3 |
| FIN 405 | Private Wealth Management | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
Students who are a double major in Finance and Accounting are permitted to waive FIN 370.
Graduation Requirement:
Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 in the 15 semester hours of required coursework and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 in order to successfully complete the program.
Concentration in Financial Management
(12-15 credits)
This program prepares Finance majors for careers in Corporate Finance that combine skills in both finance and accounting. Corporate Finance is used by both financial and non-financial firms, and by investment banks that help firms raise capital. The program is also designed to prepare students for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) examinations that students are encouraged to complete prior to graduation. This credential is valued in a number of careers relating to both Corporate Finance and Accounting. (A double major or minor in Business Analytics is a recommended complement.)
Admission
Rider undergraduate Norm Brodsky College of Business students majoring in Finance or any other business discipline excluding Accounting majors may choose this program after completing 30 credits and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
Graduation Requirement
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 at graduation and a minimum grade of C is necessary in each of the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| ACC 302 | Cost Management | 3 |
| FIN 309 | Intermediate Corporate Finance | 3 |
| FIN 315 | Financial Modeling | 3 |
| FIN 370 | Financial Analysis and Ethics 1 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
4-Year Academic Plan of Study
The following educational plan is provided as a sample only. Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year; who are in a Continuing Education Program; who change their major; or who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure a timely graduation. Each student, with guidance from their academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| ACC 210 | Introduction to Accounting | 3 |
| CIS 185 | Information Systems Essentials 1 | 3 |
| CMP 120 | Seminar in Writing and Rhetoric | 3 |
| ECO 200 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| MSD 105 | Quantitative Methods for Business 2 | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ACC 220 | Managerial Uses of Accounting | 3 |
| CBA 110 | Business in Action 1 | 3 |
| CMP 125 | Seminar in Writing and Research | 3 |
| ECO 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| MSD 205 | Business Statistics | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BDA 201 | Introduction to Business Analytics | 3 |
| CBA 236 | Career Planning | 3 |
| FIN 220 | Introduction to Finance | 3 |
| MGT 201 | Fund Management & Org Behavior | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CBA 212 | Business Communications | 3 |
| COM 290 | Professional/Strategic Speech | 3 |
| MKT 200 | Marketing Principles | 3 |
| FIN 305 | Personal Financial Planning | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BUS 300 | The Legal and Ethical Environment of Business | 3 |
| FIN 307 | Financial Markets & Institutions 5 | 3 |
| FIN 312 | Investments 5 | 3 |
| MGT 355 | Team Management (or MGT 363 or LDP 200 or IND 398) | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CIS 385 or GSC 385 |
Management Information Systems or Management Information Systems for Global Supply Chain Management |
3 |
| FIN 309 | Intermediate Corporate Finance 5 | 3 |
| MSD 301 | Operations Management | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Free Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BUS 400 | Strategic Management and Policy | 3 |
| FIN Major Elective (International Business) 4 | 3 | |
| Free Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Free Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Free Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| FIN Major Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Free Elective (International Business) 4 | 3 | |
| Free Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Free Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Free Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours for Graduation | 120 | |
- 1
CIS 185 Information Systems Essentials and CBA 110 Business in Action can be taken in the Fall or Spring of Year 1.
- 2
Students may be required to take MSD 104 Intro to Quantitative Methods based on placement. MSD 104 counts as a 3-credit Free Elective.
- 3
Students must take four liberal arts electives; 3 credits must be in Natural Science, 3 credits must be in Social Science, 3 credits must be in Humanities, and 3 credits can be any course offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.
- 4
Students are required to complete 6 credits of International Business Electives which can be fulfilled as major courses (FIN 308) or free electives.
- 5
FIN 307 Financial Markets and Institutions, FIN 309 Intermediate Corporate Finance, and FIN 312 Investments can be taken in Fall or Spring of Year 3 or Year 4. Finance majors with a Concentration may be able to take FIN 305 during the Spring of Year 2.
3-Year Academic Plan of Study
The following educational plan is provided as a sample only. Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year; who are in a Continuing Education Program; who change their major; or who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure a timely graduation. Each student, with guidance from their academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| ACC 210 | Introduction to Accounting | 3 |
| CIS 185 | Information Systems Essentials | 3 |
| CMP 120 | Seminar in Writing and Rhetoric | 3 |
| ECO 200 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| MSD 105 | Quantitative Methods for Business | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| JTerm | ||
| MKT 200 | Marketing Principles | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ACC 220 | Managerial Uses of Accounting | 3 |
| CBA 110 | Business in Action | 3 |
| CMP 125 | Seminar in Writing and Research | 3 |
| ECO 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| MSD 205 | Business Statistics | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| Liberal Arts Elective | 3 | |
| Liberal Arts Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BDA 201 | Introduction to Business Analytics | 3 |
| CBA 236 | Career Planning | 3 |
| COM 290 | Professional/Strategic Speech | 3 |
| FIN 220 | Introduction to Finance | 3 |
| MGT 201 | Fund Management & Org Behavior | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 18 | |
| JTerm | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CBA 212 | Business Communications | 3 |
| FIN 309 | Intermediate Corporate Finance | 3 |
| FIN 312 | Investments | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Leadership Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| FIN 307 | Financial Markets & Institutions | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BUS 300 | The Legal and Ethical Environment of Business | 3 |
| CIS 385 or GSC 385 |
Management Information Systems or Management Information Systems for Global Supply Chain Management |
3 |
| MSD 301 | Operations Management | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Major Course Elective * | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 18 | |
| JTerm | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BUS 400 | Strategic Management and Policy | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Int'l Business Elective * | 3 | |
| Major Course Elective * | 3 | |
| Major Course Elective * | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours for Graduation | 120 | |
- *
Students are required to complete 6 credits of International Business Electives which can be fulfilled as major course elective (FIN 308 International Finance) or free elective courses.
Notes:
- This accelerated plan assumes no AP or other credits were transferred into Rider University.
- Business Honors students will have a different sequence.
- Students may be required to take MSD 104 Intro to Quantitative Methods based on placement. MSD 104 counts as a 3-credit Free Elective.
- Students must take four liberal arts electives; 3 credits must be in Natural Science, 3 credits must be in Social Science, 3 credits must be in Humanities, and 3 credits can be any course offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.
- Students are strongly suggested to complete a credit-bearing experiential course (e.g., internship, co-op, study tour, study abroad, FIN 399 or FIN 491).
Courses and Descriptions
FIN 200 Managing Your Money 3 Credits
An introduction to the analysis of a wide range of financial decisions which individuals encounter over their careers and lifetime. Topics include financial goals, tax planning, home ownership versus renting, consumer credit, money management and investments, and managing risk with insurance. This course is open to all Rider students, and it counts as a free elective or a business elective. It cannot be used as finance elective.
FIN 220 Introduction to Finance 3 Credits
An introduction to the environment, concepts, and techniques of financial management. Topics include forms of business organization, taxes, analysis of financial performance, financial planning, financial markets and interest rates, time value of money, bond and stock valuation, risk and return, capital budgeting, cost of capital, and international financial management.
Prerequisite(s): ACC 210 and ECO 201.
FIN 305 Personal Financial Planning 3 Credits
This course focuses on practical issues and problems involving personal financial planning, budgeting, use of credit and banking regulations, behavioral finance and investments, tax planning, education and retirement planning. Other topics to be covered include: risk exposure identification and mitigation, legal aspects of insurance, insurance policy needs analysis and selection. Students will gain practical knowledge of various types of insurance, including: life insurance, property and casualty insurance, health and disability insurance. An important objective of the course is to provide the student with the tools that are utilized in making personal financial decisions and how to apply those tools for a variety of financial needs. Students will be introduced to the financial planning process and how to analyze and prepare financial planning statements. Students will be expected to present 2 group case studies as part of the course.
Prerequisite(s): FIN 220.
FIN 307 Financial Markets & Institutions 3 Credits
This course provides an introduction to the organization and behavior of financial markets and institutions in the economy. The factors determining security prices and interest rates in the money and capital markets are analyzed. An overview of all major financial institutions is presented. In addition, market returns, the regulatory environment, and monetary policy are examined.
Prerequisite(s): FIN 220 or concurrent with FIN 220.
FIN 308 International Finance 3 Credits
Financial management in the international environment. Topics include balance of payments, foreign exchange markets, arbitrage, hedging of currency risk, country risk management, and the evaluation of foreign investment opportunities.
Prerequisite(s): FIN 220.
FIN 309 Intermediate Corporate Finance 3 Credits
This course builds on and extends the concepts of financial management learned in FIN 220. The course examines long-term corporate financing and investment decisions and how those decisions interface with each other. Topics covered include: cost of capital, financial planning and analysis, capital budgeting, capital structure and dividend policy.
Prerequisite(s): FIN 220.
FIN 312 Investments 3 Credits
The fundamentals of investing in stocks, bonds, and other negotiable instruments are covered. Major topics include trading on securities markets, mutual funds, international investing, margin accounts, short sales, determinants of securities prices, and investment risks. Stock options, financial futures, convertible securities, and implications of taxes on investment decisions are also discussed.
Prerequisite(s): FIN 220.
FIN 315 Financial Modeling 3 Credits
Provides instruction in computer use beyond what is available in other finance courses. Topics include more sophisticated applications of computers in financial management, investments, and other areas of finance and business. Students work on cases and projects which require more advanced usage of spreadsheets and other software and databases.
Prerequisite(s): CIS 185 and FIN 220.
FIN 330 Corporate Cash Management 3 Credits
This course is designed for business students seeking an understanding of modern principles and techniques for corporate treasury management. The course material is useful for finance, accounting, and banking professionals or small business owners. Topics include analysis of liquidity and solvency, credit and accounts receivable management, cash collection and disbursement systems, short-term investment and borrowing, management of treasury information and technology, multi- national cash management, and other related topics.
Prerequisite(s): FIN 220.
FIN 340 Risk Management 3 Credits
This course examines the risk management process as applied to the firm as a whole. It integrates the management of all risks facing the firm: strategic, financial, hazard, and operational. Techniques for identifying risk, measuring and analyzing it, and selecting an appropriate treatment will be explored.
Prerequisite(s): FIN 220.
FIN 350 Entrepreneurial Finance 3 Credits
This course covers the techniques for acquiring financial resources as a firm advances through successive business stages: seed, start-up, struggling, growing, and stable. In addition, it examines recent trends in credit markets and the latest financial innovations as they impact the process of financing the venture’s growth.
Prerequisite(s): FIN 220.
FIN 360 Fixed Income and Derivatives 3 Credits
This course centers on the quantitative portion of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) level 1 curriculum, which includes materials on fixed-income risk and return, fundamentals of risk analysis, derivative instruments and risk management applications of option strategies. The goal is to help students prepare for the exam, as well as introduce them to a variety topics in finance.
Prerequisite(s): FIN 312.
FIN 370 Financial Analysis and Ethics 3 Credits
This course covers the topics of financial reporting and analysis and related ethical issues. The course would benefit students interested in augmenting their ability to understand, analyze and apply the information in financial statements. It provides essential knowledge for students seeking either the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certifications. Specifically, the course covers the Ethics and Professional Standards of the CFA curriculum, and materials on financial reporting quality and financial statement analysis for the CFA level 1 exam. Course goals are to help students prepare for the certification exams, as well as introduce all interested students to a variety of topics in financial analysis and ethics.
Prerequisite(s): FIN 312 or POI.
FIN 380 Real Estate 3 Credits
Real estate finance and related subjects in real estate are examined. Topics include measuring cash flows and taxes, valuation methods for real estate investment decisions, location and value in real estate, home ownership, legal matters, and financing methods and techniques.
Prerequisite(s): FIN 220.
FIN 399 The Co-Operative Experience 6 Credits
The co-op program provides students with an opportunity to work full-time in a company and apply what they have learned in their finance and other business classes. It also enhances students’ employment opportunities since many employers use a co-op program as a first step before they hire full¬ time employees. Eligible students include finance majors with at least junior status, a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in any finance coursework completed prior to the submission of the co-op application. Co-op credits can be applied toward business or free elective requirements but not toward finance elective requirements for majors. Grading is on a pass/fail basis.
Prerequisite(s): FIN 220.
FIN 405 Private Wealth Management 3 Credits
This course utilizes the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) curriculum and focuses on private asset management for high-net-worth investors. A wide range of topics including managing individual investor portfolios, taxes, estate planning, concentrated single-asset positions and individual risk management will be covered via lecture discussions. The main objective for the course is to help students develop the skills for a career in wealth management.
Prerequisite(s): FIN 305.
FIN 412 Investment Analysis 3 Credits
Real-world application of the concepts and techniques of investment analysis and portfolio theory introduced in FIN 312. Students interact with and make recommendations to professional portfolio managers. Topics include analysis and forecasts of business conditions, market interest rates, international opportunities, and corporate profits. Emphasis is placed on the valuation of securities, stock selection, investment timing, technical analysis, and management of portfolio risk with options, futures, and other tools.
Prerequisite(s): FIN 312 or permission of instructor.
FIN 469 Special Topics in Finance 3 Credits
This course is occasionally offered, with the topics and prerequisites set by the finance program.
FIN 490 Independent Study: Research and Creative Expression 3 Credits
Topic to be approved in advance by supervising instructor, chairperson, and academic dean. Available for juniors and seniors. No more than 12 credits allowed toward graduation. This course can be used as a business or free elective, but with prior approval it can also be used as finance elective.
FIN 491 Finance Internship 1-3 Credits
The internship offers qualified junior and senior finance majors supervised employment with participating companies. The internship may be taken during the fall or spring semester or during the summer session. Students are evaluated periodically by senior staff members of the participating firms and are required to complete a term paper that will be reviewed by the major’s internship director. Internship credits can be applied toward business or free elective requirements but not toward finance elective requirements for majors. Grading is on a pass/fail basis.
Prerequisite)s): permission of instructor.