Prospective students who wish to pursue an
online degree program in the field of banking and finance can find
opportunities to do so on the certificate, bachelor's and master's
degree levels. Many educational institutions offer degree programs
entirely online, and a number of banking and finance courses are common
to all degree program curricula.
Overview of Online Certificate Programs in Banking and Finance
Online certificate programs in banking and finance are available to
prospective students who want to work toward a higher degree, as well as
finance professionals who want advanced training in their field. Many
certificate programs are simply the introductory courses to an
associate's or bachelor's degree in the same field. While there is
variance between academic institutions on the curriculum depth and
length, most students can earn a certificate in banking and finance in
15-20 credit hours.
Many schools offer banking and finance certificate programs that are
available exclusively online. Students who wish to participate in an
online program are first encouraged to take a personal assessment to
ensure their ability to learn independently without the aid of direct
interaction with an instructor. Many colleges and universities offer
tutorials that educate the student in how to succeed in an online
learning course. Some certificate programs have prerequisite courses
that need to be completed prior to enrolling, such as reading and
English.
Though the course material is taught online, standard textbooks on
finance topics must still be purchased for some courses. Once enrolled,
students will need a computer, preferably one that they own, since they
will have to spend a good amount of time accessing the online material.
In addition, the student will need access to a printer and a high-speed
Internet connection.
List of Common Online Banking and Finance Certificate Courses
Many online certificate programs in this field begin with
introductory business courses, which lay the foundation for the rest of
the program.
Fundamentals of Business Course
In this online course, students learn about the relationships between
businesses, workforces and the government. Emphasis is also placed on
the basics of business ownership, finance, marketing, management,
production and budgets.
Fundamentals of Banking and Finance Course
Students in this introductory course are taught about the principles
of the financial services industry. They learn about the relationship
between funds management, financial performance and bank investments.
The principles of banking are taught, including banking history, legal
aspects and monetary policy.
Financial Markets and Institutions Course
This course introduces the parameters that influence financial
institutions and the financial markets that they depend on. The
relationship between financial entities, the banking industry and the
Federal Reserve is explored. Upon completion of this online course,
students will be prepared to anticipate and adapt to future changes in
the financial marketplace.
Principles of the Credit and Loan Industry Course
In an online class that analyzes commercial lending, students learn
the factors that influence decisions of lending agencies and the effects
these decisions have on the borrowing business or person. The course
covers the different types of loans and the legal regulations that
affect each loan. Through analyzing the credit process from both the
lending and borrowing perspective, students will gain the skills to make
informed credit decisions in both their personal lives and their
professional careers in banking and finance.
Many entry-level office and administrative positions in banks require
only a high school diploma, but certificate-holders with knowledge of
the finance industry are better-suited to advance. According to the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment and salary rates in the
banking industry were projected to grow by eight percent between
2008-2018 (
www.bls.gov). Banks are especially looking to expand
their branches to more locations, and this will result in the demand for
entry-level employees.
Overview of an Online Bachelor's Degree in Banking and Finance
Many colleges and universities offer an online delivery system for
programs such as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a
concentration in finance or banking. Unlike certificate programs,
bachelor's-level programs often introduce students to global
perspectives in finance and banking, preparing them to manage more
complex financial practices. Most positions in banking and financial
administration require at least a bachelor's degree.
Depending on the school providing the courses, some exams and
orientation sessions may need to be taken in person on campus. Other
schools offer completely off-campus learning. Some institutions offer an
accelerated 18-month bachelor's degree program in banking and finance
if the student has already earned an associate's degree in the same
field, as opposed to the average 4-year program.
List of Common Online Bachelor's-Level Banking and Finance Courses
Specific course topics vary between degree programs; for example, a
finance-focused business administration program may include a wider
variety of business and management courses, while a Bachelor of Science
in Finance may have a narrower emphasis on money matters. However, many
core classes are common to all curricula.
Finance and Accounting Fundamentals Course
In some versions of this online course, students might create a
hypothetical business enterprise, then develop and analyze its financial
status from a market perspective. Typically, students also study real
publicly traded enterprises and analyze the relationship of their
financial reports to their business performance.
Real Estate Finance Course
Students in this online course learn the factors that influence
property value through the study of mortgage markets, real estate
construction and development partnerships. Concepts of taxes involving
property transactions are also covered.
Principles of Taxation Course
Online courses in this complex topic may be divided into 2-semester
programs. Students learn the fundamentals of taxes and how they apply to
individuals as well as businesses. Through the study of tax laws,
business partnerships, corporations and the variance of tax factors on
different types of transactions, the student gains a fundamental
understanding of the influence of taxation laws on the financial
marketplace.
International Finance Course
Students in an online class in international finance study the
financial marketplace on a global scale. The course focuses on the
factors that influence the actions of multinational business firms,
including foreign economic policy, international tax legislation and
exchange rates.
Bachelor's-degree holders in banking and finance can find
opportunities for employment in many financial sectors. These include
careers in cash and credit management, financial reporting, investment
management, payroll, real estate, budget analysis and more. Personal
financial advisors, who usually need a bachelor's degree in finance,
made an average of $94,180 in 2009, according to the BLS (
www.bls.gov).
Overview of an Online Master's Degree in Banking and Finance
Master's degrees in banking and finance can be earned in a completely
online format. A bachelor's degree or equivalent is needed to pursue a
degree on the graduate level, and many online master's programs have
specific prerequisite classes that need to be completed prior to
beginning the program, such as courses in economics and business
statistics. Common graduate degree programs that can be found online are
a Master of Science in Banking and Financial Services Management and a
Master of Science in Finance.
Once enrolled in a master's degree program, students gain access to
an online course environment, which may be powered by a system like
Blackboard or Moodle. Through this course system, they can watch
streaming videos of class lectures and post on discussion boards to
communicate with instructors and fellow finance students. An online
master's degree program in banking or finance can usually be completed
in two years.
List of Common Online Master's-Level Courses in Banking and Finance
Graduate courses are usually more specialized than bachelor's-level
courses; for example, an undergraduate course might provide an overview
of taxation laws, but a graduate course may focus on one topic - like
the requirements for nontaxable corporate acquisitions - in depth.
Investments Course
An online course in investments will teach students about the many
factors that go into building a good investment portfolio. Through
analyzing derivatives, equity and debt securities - as well as
determining a company's stock value - students learn to make informed
decisions regarding the risks associated with investing. Many courses
have students work together online as a team to build a mock investment
portfolio using a set amount of allocated funds.
International Economics and Finance Course
Students who enroll in an online course in international economics
and finance focus on the global economy and the multitude of factors
that help to shape it, including international politics, multinational
corporations, supply and demand chains, foreign economic systems and
currency exchange. Students evaluate all of these factors to determine
the risks of practicing
international business; they also develop the skills to make choices that diminish these risks.
A master's-level online course in finance focuses on the in-depth
workings of a business firm, usually utilizing case studies and
problem-solving methods. Students study concepts that include corporate
takeovers, mergers, asset liquidation, restructuring, cost and benefit
analysis, cash flow and capital budgeting. Upon completion of this
course, the student will have a thorough understanding of current
financial issues facing businesses, from the small business to the
multinational firm.
According to the BLS, students who obtain a master's degree in this
field are well-suited to compete for positions in management and
finance; these jobs, including such titles as financial manager and loan
officer, make up about 25% of the banking and finance job market (
www.bls.gov). The BLS expected job growth in this area to rise by 11% between 2008-2018.
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