Online BBA in Finance: Degree Program Overview

Online Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance degrees are available from several accredited colleges and universities. This degree program prepares students for careers in corporate, banking, investment and financial institutions.

Online Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance Degree Program

An online Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in finance is an undergraduate program that teaches students about commercial banking, capital investments and forecasting in order to prepare them for a professional career in a corporate or financial setting. Curriculum in online BBA in Finance degree programs includes studies in financial markets, security analysis, accounting, working capital and management of finance institutions, along with general marketing, business and accounting courses. Graduates are skilled in financial theory and techniques, information analysis, interpretation and reporting.

Program Information and Requirements

Online BBA in Finance degrees are completed in the same 4-year timeframe as traditional programs. In an online program, students must have the appropriate computer hardware and Internet access to attend virtual classes, lectures and other portions of the program. Some schools offer BBA programs in mixed format of online courses and on-campus classes.
Students in distance learning finance programs consult with their professors via e-mail or the school's distance learning system, such as Blackboard. Another common mode of communication is discussion board threads with other students in the class. Assignments are completed and sent via e-mail, file exchange systems or assignment manager applications. Some finance programs require students to complete internships where students learn practical financial skills from a professional in the field and apply them to real-life situations.

List of Common Online Courses in a BBA in Finance Program

Like all bachelor's degree programs, general education courses are required in this finance program. These required courses typically include English, social sciences, laboratory sciences, literature, humanities and math. Common specialty courses include studies in accounting, statistics, finance and economics.

Principles of Accounting Course

The basic theories of financial accounting, including preparing financial statements and accounting life cycles, are covered in this online course. Students also learn about assets and liabilities, cost control procedures and budgeting for a business.

Business Statistics Course

Students in this finance course learn decision and sampling theories, testing of hypothesis, probability distributions, regression and statistics. Distance learning students also learn to apply these statistics skills to business and management.

Financial Management Course

Corporate financial decisions are analyzed in this course. Using case studies and written materials, online students use financial concepts to manage short and long-term finances, assess organizational financial health, determine the value of companies, analyze risk, study capital markets and make decisions on investments.

Economics Course

Both microeconomics and macroeconomics are common course requirements in online BBA programs in finance. Microeconomics concentrates on scarcity of resources for individuals and management of those resources. Macroeconomics emphasizes maximization of profits and efficient use of resources in government, businesses, organizations and society as a whole.

Career Information for Graduates

Graduates from online BBA in Finance degree programs often work as financial analysts, although some employers require a master's degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov), financial analysts held 250,600 jobs in 2008 and employment is expected to grow much faster than average, at a rate of 20%, from 2008-2018. The median wage for financial analysts was $73,150 in May of 2008, excluding annual performance bonuses.

Continuing Education and Certification Information

For those who wish to continue their education, online Master in Business Administration programs with a concentration in finance are also available at many schools. Some online finance BBA degree programs include MBA courses in the syllabus and graduates are awarded a simultaneous BBA in Finance and Master of Business Administration.
Though not required, financial certifications are also available to enhance professional standing in the field. One is the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, which requires a bachelor's degree and four years of experience. In addition, hundreds of hours of self-study are necessary to successfully pass three exams covering financial topics.