Finance Major and Learning Outcomes

Finance Major Mission Statement

The mission of the Finance Major is to provide a high-value business educational experience within the Salesian tradition. The three tracks within the major develop undergraduate students’ skills in knowledge areas such as corporate finance, investments, financial plan development, and financial markets and institutions in order to succeed in financial professions. The major is characterized by a strong faculty-student community; a compassionate and collegial working environment; the advancement of knowledge through high-quality teaching and academic programs, effective communication, and relevant experiential learning; and student engagement with the business world.

Division of Business General Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate from DeSales University with any major in the Division of Business will be able to:

1. apply management theories to make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness;
2. apply marketing principles to make decisions about the direction of an organization;
3. analyze economic data using macro and micro models to explain a business environment;
4. analyze accounting data to understand the financial position of an organization and to make managerial decisions;
5. analyze quantitative data to make business decisions, in particular the budgeting of capital among potential investments;
6. evaluate business decisions in light of regulatory and ethical frameworks, particularly with regard to Catholic Social Teaching.

Core Finance Track Student Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate from DeSales University with a major in finance, core finance track, will be able to:

1. describe the activities of financial markets and financing institutions, and explain their implications on the global economy;
2. explain the role of money in the economy, including knowledge of foreign exchange, capital and money markets, interest rates, and the roles of banks;
3. explain the features and functionality of debt and equity markets, calculate the valuation of financial instruments such as stocks, bonds, and derivatives, and hedge portfolio risk through a hands-on approach to analyzing and managing asset portfolios;
4. evaluate business or personal decisions utilizing a financial perspective, including concepts such as net present value, weighted average cost of capital, and free cash flows.

This business program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Financial Planning Track Student Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate from DeSales University with a major in finance, financial planning track, will be able to:

1. explain the role of money in the economy, including knowledge of foreign exchange, capital and money markets, interest rates, and the roles of banks;
2. explain the features and functionality of debt and equity markets, calculate the valuation of financial instruments such as stocks, bonds, and derivatives, and hedge portfolio risk through a hands-on approach to analyzing and managing asset portfolios;
3. analyze economic data using macro and micro models to explain a business environment;
4. analyze accounting data to understand the financial position of an organization;
5. apply U.S. income tax law to business transactions and develop an understanding of tax-planning techniques;
6. analyze personal financial situations, evaluating clients’ objectives, needs, and values to develop an appropriate strategy within a financial plan.

This business program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). This is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board Registered Program.