Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Study Finance Online: Overview of Finance Degrees by Level

Preparation to manage money in business and other organizational settings is the substance of a finance degree. Programs teach the core principles of finance while fostering an ability to analyze, take on leadership roles and understand related subjects like accounting and economics.

Online Bachelor's Degree in Finance Overview

A finance degree gives students an in-depth understanding of business and the financial practices that keep it running. Through their study, students build a strong foundation in accounting, economics and analytical skills. The bachelor's degree is offered from within the sciences or business administration. Students may learn under a specific finance major or as business majors with a concentration in finance.

Program Information and Requirements

Online bachelor's degrees take four years to complete and often can be done entirely off campus. Distance learning students generally follow a school calendar, though they complete their coursework asynchronously; that is, they choose to complete courses at their convenience within the larger framework of the semester or quarter. Assignments and exams must be submitted by certain deadlines. Most colleges provide students with a virtual campus system where students can turn in work online, connect with their peers and instructors and follow their course schedules.
Most schools recommend students have access to a computer with both ample memory and hard-drive space plus access to a high-speed Internet connection. Students should also have a Web browser compatible with their college's portal system, checking the requirements in advance. In general, students must have Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

List of Common Finance Courses

Finance majors take both the general education requirements plus classes in their field, accounting, business and economics.

Principles of Accounting Course

The course lays the foundation of accounting, which will become a central part of the overall finance program. Students learn about financial reports, cycles and creation of statements.

Financial Management Course

Students gain an understanding of common financial practices, honing their analytical skills in the process. The course covers topics such as budgeting, capital management, capital markets and risk analysis.

Business Ethics Course

The course covers ethics and corporate social responsibility. Students discuss values, conduct and moral issues as they relate to the business environment.

Global Finance Course

Students explore financial management through the prism of international business. The course takes a look at topics like global strategy and foreign trade.

Career Information for Graduates

A bachelor's degree in finance can be the first step toward a job as a financial manager, a field that is expected to grow by eight percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). The average salary of a finance manager in May 2009 was $54.68 per hour, or $113,730 a year, according to the BLS.

Continuing Education Information

Those looking to advance in the corporate setting and expand their business acumen can enroll in a master's of business administration or a master's in finance program. Depending on a person's long-term goals, other professional certifications such as a chartered financial analyst or a management accountant are also available.

Online Master's Degree in Finance Overview

An advanced finance degree allows students to gather a comprehensive understanding of the financial industry and attain the skills to become a leader in it. Those enrolled in a master's program can expect to learn more advanced financial skills and to enhance their knowledge of finance, including investments, management, operations and regulations. Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree prior to admission. Students can choose from a finance degree or a broader business administration degree with a concentration on finance.

Program Information and Requirements

Graduate programs in finance can take between 12-18 months to complete online. Most schools create an online environment that closely mirrors the traditional classroom but can be done asynchronously. Students log into their college's portal system to check and submit assignments, interact with their classmates and instructors and follow their course schedule. The course length will depend on the school, but classes generally span eight to ten weeks each. Most distance education programs in finance are designed for completion entirely online.

List of Common Finance Courses

At the graduate level, finance majors build up their knowledge of markets and capital while sharpening their analytical and decision-making skills.

Financial Markets Course

Students are introduced to common financial markets and the agencies that revolve around them. The course also covers the role of the Federal Reserve as well as other related financial institutions, regulations and policies.

Financial Strategy Course

Students learn the ways to work with capital within a business entity. They gain an understanding of acquisitions, buyouts, restructuring, venture capital and other financial transactions. Case studies are a common part of the course.

International Finance Course

Knowledge of the global market is the primary role of the course. Students learn about exchange markets, international banking and trade tariffs. They study the impact of foreign business on a country's society, the economy and its politics.

Career Information for Graduates

With a master's degree, graduates may find work as a financial analyst or an economist. Financial analysts earned an average of $40.98 per hour or $85,240 annually in May 2009 while economists earned an average of $46.31 per hour or $96,320 a year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Between 2008 and 2018, growth for financial analyst jobs is expected to be 20%, which is much faster than all other occupations, according to the BLS. Over the same period, growth for economists was estimated at six percent, which is slower than average.

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