(Code 800-000)

Students that major in Business Finance acquire the ability to analyze financial data, make financial decisions, and communicate effectively with stakeholders. The undergraduate program in Finance covers courses in accounting, economics, statistics, calculus, business law, and finance. Some of the topics covered in finance courses include financial markets, portfolio management, capital budgeting, valuation, derivatives, and international finance. Students may also choose electives or concentrations in areas such as corporate finance and banking, financial markets and investments, and wealth management. A Finance major can also pursue professional certifications such as Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), or Financial Risk Manager (FRM) to enhance their skills and credentials. Some of the career options for students majoring in Business Finance are in various fields such as banking, investment, corporate finance, risk management, and financial planning. 

University Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
Credit Requirements
Minimum total for graduation 1		120
Upper division credits (courses numbered 300 and higher)		39
Core General Education		10 courses, 36 credits
Academic Concentrations
Grade Point Requirements 2
Total		2.00 average
Resident		2.00 average
Major		2.00 average
Minor		2.00 average
Certificate		2.00 average
University Residency Requirements
Minimum total		30
Senior year		23
Major, Standard, upper division in residence		12
Major, Comprehensive, upper division in residence		21
Certificate		25 percent of credits
Procedures Required for Graduation
Obtain admission to the degree program and/or the College offering it.
Apply for graduation on CampS.

¹

Certain programs exceed this minimum.

²

See special requirements in each College.

Applicability of Credits Toward Graduation

Junior College or Two-Year College Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in a junior college or two-year college will be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire.

Extension Credits. Credits earned in credit outreach courses offered by UW-Eau Claire are treated as resident credits. Credits earned in extension courses offered by other units of the Universities of Wisconsin System are treated as transfer credits. All other (non-UW) extension and correspondence credits are normally limited to one-fourth of the total required for graduation from any curriculum.

WTCS Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in college parallel programs at Madison Area Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Nicolet Area Technical College, or Chippewa Valley Technical College may be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire. A set number of general education courses will be accepted from other technical schools. Occupational and technical courses may also be considered for transfer if the quality and content of the course work from the technical college is judged to be comparable to course work at UW-Eau Claire. Refer to the Transfer Credit Wizard or contact the UW-Eau Claire Admissions Office for information about the current transfer policy.

USAFI Credit. UW-Eau Claire will accept up to 32 semester credits for work done through the United States Armed Forces Institute, under the provision for non-UW correspondence credit (see Extension Credits above).

Activity Credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184 courses) Students may count toward graduation no more than one credit of KINS 110-184 courses. Students may count toward graduation no more than four credits earned in any single activity course and no more than 12 credits resulting from any combination of activity courses (excluding KINS 110-184 courses). 

Other Restricted Credits. For other University restrictions, see the following: Cooperative Education; Credit by Examination; Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Registration; Transfer of Credits. College or departmental restrictions may also be placed on Independent Study (399-499 courses), Directed Study (395-495), and other types of credits.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
APPLICABILITY OF CREDITS TOWARD GRADUATION		Credit Restrictions
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Total degree credit		maximum 12
Major, Standard		maximum 1 course
Major, Comprehensive		maximum 2 courses
Minor		maximum 1 course
Credit by Examination
Total degree credit		maximum ¼ of total
Major or minor		maximum ½ of total
Two-Year College Credits
Total degree credit		maximum 72 credits
Activity credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184)
Total KINS 100-184		maximum 1 credit
Total Band, chorus, drama		maximum 12 credits
Single course band, chorus, drama		maximum 4 credits
Extension credits
UW-System		no maximum
Other extension/correspondence		maximum ¼ of total
USAFI
USAFI		maximum 32 credits

Core General Education Requirements (CGER)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CGER Categories
Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning (MQR)		4 credit hours, 1 course min
Includes University Math Requirement 1
Communication & Literacy (CL)		8 credit hours, 2 course min (including CL-W)
Includes University Writing Requirement (CL-W) 2
Natural Sciences & Wellness (NSW/NSWL)		6 credit hours, 1 course min (NSW-Lab required)
Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS)		6 credit hours, 2 course min
Humanities & Arts (HA)		6 credit hours, 2 course min
Civics & Perspectives (CP)		6 credit hours, 2 course min
CGER Totals 3
Credits		minimum 36 credits
Courses		minimum 10 courses

¹

University Mathematics Requirement:

Students satisfy the University Mathematics Requirement in one of four ways:

• completing an approved university-level mathematics course (MQR) with a grade of C (not C-) or above
• achieving a suitable score on the UW Math Placement Test
• achieving a suitable score on an exam such as the Advanced Placement Calculus or Advanced Placement Statistics exams
• achieving a suitable score on a Credit by Examination administered by the Department of Mathematics.   

²

University Writing Requirement:

Students satisfy the University Writing Requirement in one of four ways:

• completing a Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing course (WRIT 102, WRIT 114, WRIT 116, WRIT 118, or WRIT 120) with a grade of C (not C-) or above
• achieving a suitable score on the English Placement Test (WPT ENGL)
• achieving a suitable score on an exam such as the Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition or Advanced Placement English Language and Composition exams
• achieving a suitable score on the University Writing Program Portfolio.

³

Completion via Placement Tests

• Writing: If the CL-W subcategory is satisfied through a placement test, the CGER Communication and Literacy requirement will be reduced from 8 credits (2 courses) to 3 credits (1 course).
• Mathematics: If the University Math Requirement is satisfied through a placement test, the CGER Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning requirement will be considered fully met, replacing the 4-credit (1 course) requirement.
• Students must still complete 36 credits across 10 courses, with any remaining credits or courses eligible to be taken from any CGER category.

College Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Business Administration Degree Requirements

Credits for Graduation

All candidates for the BBA degree need a minimum of 120 credits to graduate.

Student Professional Development Program

All students pursuing a major in the College of Business must complete the Student Professional Development Workshops. All students pursuing a minor in the Department of Management and Leadership Programs must complete the Student Professional Development Workshops. The program is designed to equip students with the skills needed to present themselves professionally during their job search and upon entering their chosen careers. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the workshops prior to the end of their third semester on campus. The program consists of four workshops: The Business Professional, Professional Image, Professional Etiquette, Professional Networking Event. For more information, visit the College of Business website.

Grade Point Requirements

Candidates for the BBA degree must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in their major and in courses taken in residence. (See the special requirements for the Comprehensive Major in Health Care Administration.) If a minor is required, or is to be listed as an official minor, the candidate must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the minor.

• Unless otherwise indicated, no College of Business course may be taken on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis as part of a major, minor, or certificate described by one of the departments in the College of Business. This excludes courses that are only offered on an S/U basis. Specific programs (major, minor, certificate) may have additional requirements. Please check program requirements.  
• Business courses may be taken on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis only concurrent with or following completion of the student’s major or business minor.

Major Requirements

(Code 800-000)

Proficiency Requirements

Proficiency requirements include basic prerequisite courses and/or entry-level competencies for the major.  These are not counted as credits in the major.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
BSAD 180	Foundations for Success in Business	3
ECON 103	Principles of Microeconomics	3
ECON 104	Principles of Macroeconomics	3
MATH 104	Finite Mathematics with Applications 1	4
or MATH 109	Algebra for Calculus
MATH 246	Elementary Statistics	4
or MATH 247	Elementary Statistics with Algebra Review II

¹

MATH 104 or MATH 109 or UWX MA116 or beyond, or competency to enter MATH 111

The BUSCORE

The BUSCORE is the common body of courses taken by all BBA students with the exception of the Health Care Administration major. It consists of the following courses:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
BUSCORE Courses
ACCT 201	Introduction to Accounting	3
BCOM 206	Business Communication: Writing, Speaking, and Collaborating 1	3
or BCOM 207	Business Communication: Persuasive Messaging, Conversations, and Professional Development
BLAW 305	Legal and Regulatory Environment	3
BSAD 300	Cultural Competence for Today’s Workplace	1
FIN 320	Principles of Finance	3
IS 240	Information Systems in Business	3
MKTG 330	Principles of Marketing	3
MGMT 340	Organizational Behavior: Leading and Developing People, Teams, and Culture	3
MGMT 449	Strategic Management in a Global Business Environment 2	3
OSCM 341	Operations Management	3
Total Credits		28

¹

Students must earn a grade of C or above in BCOM 206/BCOM 207.

²

MGMT 449 is a capstone course that requires prior completion of all other BUSCORE courses.  This prerequisite is strictly enforced.

Business Finance Major 

Sixty-one semester credits including the 28-credit BUSCORE plus 33 additional credits as follows:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Finance Foundation Courses		12
FIN 321	Financial Markets and Institutions	3
FIN 322	Investments	3
FIN 327	Long Term Financial Management	3
FIN 328	Introduction to Derivative Securities	3
Required Business Courses		3
ACCT 202	Principles of Accounting	3
Finance Elective Courses - Select from the following: 1		12
FIN 325	International Financial Management
FIN 326	Short Term Financial Management
FIN 330	Wealth Management
FIN 337	Financial Modeling
FIN 339	Investment Strategy
FIN 396	Topics in Finance
FIN 420	Corporate Valuation
FIN 424	Portfolio Management
FIN 426	Topics in Finance
FIN 429	Advanced Wealth Management
FIN 439	Advanced Investment Strategy
FIN 495	Finance Internship 2
Accounting Elective Courses - Select from the following		6
ACCT 301	Intermediate Accounting I
ACCT 302	Intermediate Accounting II
ACCT 314	Cost Accounting
ACCT 321	Individual Federal Income Taxation
ACCT 423	Corporate, Partnership, and Other Entity Tax

¹

Finance elective courses: at least 3 of the 12 credits must come from one of the 400-level courses (excluding FIN 495). 

²

 FIN 495 maximum of 3 credits can count towards the Business Finance major and graduation requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students in this program are assessed on their ability to meet the following COB learning goals:

• Written and Oral Communication: Students will be effective communicators.
• Problem Solving: Students will be effective problem solvers.
• BBA Common Body of Knowledge: Students will demonstrate discipline-specific knowledge (represented by the BUSCORE).

Additionally, students completing this program will be expected to meet the following learning outcomes:

• Compute the value of securities
• Analyze a security’s risk in light of its return
• Apply criteria for accepting or rejecting an investment based on discounted cash flow analysis
• Compute the value of derivative securities
• Identify and explain appropriate measure of risk
• Apply knowledge, skills, or responsibilities gained in one academic or experiential context to other contexts

B.B.A., Business Finance (Comprehensive Major)

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the current catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Core General Education Requirements (CGER).  CGER course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as CGER CL, CGER HA, and CGER NSWL to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of the course.  Please click here for a description of the outcomes and requirements. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
MATH 104	Finite Mathematics with Applications (CGER MQR)	4
or MATH 109	Algebra for Calculus
SOMETIME IN THE FIRST YEAR
BSAD 180	Foundations for Success in Business	3
ECON 103	Principles of Microeconomics (CGER SBS)	3
ECON 104	Principles of Macroeconomics (CGER SBS)	3
WRIT 114	Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (CGER CL)	5
or WRIT 116	Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing
or WRIT 118	Accelerated Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing
SOMETIME IN THE FIRST OR SECOND YEAR
ACCT 201	Introduction to Accounting	3
CGER Option: Natural Sciences & Wellness (NSW)		3
CGER Option: Natural Sciences & Wellness with Lab (NSW/L)		4
CGER Option: Humanities & Arts (HA)		3
CGER Option: Humanities & Arts (HA)		3
SPDP: Student Professional Development Program (SPDP) workshop completion recommended by the end of the 1st year, 2nd semester—but no later than the end of the 3rd semester or 45 credits earned. 1
Study Away: Students have options: Study Abroad or NSE! Students participating in study abroad may opt-in to complete one of the two Integrative Learning 1 (I1) experiences. Many courses taken at approved study-abroad institutions will satisfy LE or program requirements. Students choosing to pay UW-Eau Claire tuition to study in the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S Virgin Islands should explore the many participating NSE schools listed on the National Student Exchange (NSE) website. Consult the Transfer Credit Wizard and consult with your academic advisor to plan which LE or program courses to take while studying away. See third-year note below regarding upper-division business courses.
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
ACCT 202	Principles of Accounting	3
SECOND SEMESTER
FIN 320	Principles of Finance	3
SOMETIME IN THE SECOND YEAR
BCOM 206	Business Communication: Writing, Speaking, and Collaborating (CGER CL)	3
BCOM 207	Business Communication: Persuasive Messaging, Conversations, and Professional Development (CGER CL)	3
IS 240	Information Systems in Business	3
MATH 246	Elementary Statistics (CGER MQR)	4
or MATH 247	Elementary Statistics with Algebra Review II
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
FIN 321	Financial Markets and Institutions	3
FIN 322	Investments	3
ACCT Elective: See catalog and degree audit for list of approved courses.		3
SECOND SEMESTER
FIN 327	Long Term Financial Management	3
ACCT Elective: See catalog and degree audit for list of approved courses.		3
SOMETIME IN THE THIRD YEAR
BLAW 305	Legal and Regulatory Environment	3
BSAD 300	Cultural Competence for Today’s Workplace	1
MGMT 340	Organizational Behavior: Leading and Developing People, Teams, and Culture	3
MKTG 330	Principles of Marketing	3
OSCM 341	Operations Management	3
FIN 495 internship recommended		3
SOME TIME IN THE THIRD OR FOURTH YEAR
Study Away for Business Finance Majors: For institutions with the most direct course equivalencies, consider especially Australia (Southern Cross and Perth), Ireland (Limerick), New Zealand (Massey), and South Africa (Stellenbosch). Courses that transfer to UWEC as 907U courses with a program prefix (e.g., ACCT, FIN, ECON) might contribute as major electives. Students participating in the National Student Exchange (NSE) program can use the “majors” search option on the NSE website to identify discipline-specific programs. Work closely with your academic advisor to plan for your study away experience. 2
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
FIN 328	Introduction to Derivative Securities	3
FIN Electives		3-6
SECOND SEMESTER
FIN Elective		3-6
SOMETIME IN THE FOURTH YEAR
MGMT 449	Strategic Management in a Global Business Environment	3
ELECTIVE CREDITS: Additional credits needed to reach 120 credits
CGER Option: Civics & Perspectives (CP)		3
CGER Option: Civics & Perspectives (CP)		3
Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

¹

Please see this webpage for more information regarding the SPDP program.

²

Please see this webpage for more information regarding Your Major + Study Abroad.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs)

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study Abroad, Intercultural Immersion, Internships, and/or Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire.

B.B.A., Accounting-Finance (Comprehensive Double Major)

The following is a hypothetical schedule, based on the current catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your personalized degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year. 

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Core General Education Requirements (CGER).  CGER course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as CGER CL, CGER HA, and CGER NSWL to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of the course.  Please click here for a description of the outcomes and requirements. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST SEMESTER
MATH 104	Finite Mathematics with Applications (CGER MQR)	4
or MATH 109	Algebra for Calculus
SOMETIME IN THE FIRST YEAR
BSAD 180	Foundations for Success in Business	3
ECON 103	Principles of Microeconomics (CGER SBS)	3
ECON 104	Principles of Macroeconomics (CGER SBS)	3
WRIT 114	Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (CGER CL)	5
or WRIT 116	Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing
or WRIT 118	Accelerated Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing
SOMETIME IN THE FIRST OR SECOND YEAR
ACCT 201	Introduction to Accounting	3
CGER Option: Natural Sciences & Wellness (NSW)		3
CGER Option: Natural Sciences & Wellness with Lab (NSW/L)		4
CGER Option: Humanities & Arts (HA)		3
CGER Option: Humanities & Arts (HA)		3
SPDP: Student Professional Development Program (SPDP) workshop completion recommended by the end of the 1st year, 2nd semester—but no later than the end of the 3rd semester or 45 credits earned. 1
Study Away: Students have options: Study Abroad or NSE! Students participating in study abroad may opt-in to complete one of the two Integrative Learning 1 (I1) experiences. Many courses taken at approved study-abroad institutions will satisfy LE or program requirements. Students choosing to pay UW-Eau Claire tuition to study in the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S Virgin Islands should explore the many participating NSE schools listed on the National Student Exchange (NSE) website. Consult the Transfer Credit Wizard and consult with your academic advisor to plan which LE or program courses to take while studying away. See third-year note below regarding upper-division business courses.
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
ACCT 202	Principles of Accounting	3
SECOND SEMESTER
FIN 320	Principles of Finance	3
SOMETIME IN THE SECOND YEAR
BCOM 206	Business Communication: Writing, Speaking, and Collaborating (CGER CL)	3
BCOM 207	Business Communication: Persuasive Messaging, Conversations, and Professional Development (CGER CL)	3
IS 240	Information Systems in Business	3
MATH 246	Elementary Statistics (CGER MQR)	4
or MATH 247	Elementary Statistics with Algebra Review II
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
ACCT 301	Intermediate Accounting I	3
FIN 321	Financial Markets and Institutions	3
FIN 322	Investments	3
SECOND SEMESTER
ACCT 302	Intermediate Accounting II	3
ACCT 314	Cost Accounting	3
FIN 327	Long Term Financial Management	3
SOMETIME IN THE THIRD YEAR
FIN 495 or ACCT 495 internship recommended		3-5
BLAW 305	Legal and Regulatory Environment	3
BSAD 300	Cultural Competence for Today’s Workplace	1
MGMT 340	Organizational Behavior: Leading and Developing People, Teams, and Culture	3
MKTG 330	Principles of Marketing	3
OSCM 341	Operations Management	3
SOMETIME IN THE THIRD OR FOURTH YEAR
Study Away for Accounting/Business Finance Double Majors: For institutions with the most direct course equivalencies, consider especially Australia (Southern Cross and Perth), Ireland (Limerick), New Zealand (Massey), South Korea (Seoul), and South Africa (Stellenbosch). Courses that transfer to UWEC as 907U courses with a program prefix (e.g., ACCT, FIN, ECON) might contribute as major electives. Students participating in the National Student Exchange (NSE) program can use the “majors” search option on the NSE website to identify discipline-specific programs. Work closely with your academic advisor to plan for your study away experience. 2
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
FIN 328	Introduction to Derivative Securities	3
ACCT 321	Individual Federal Income Taxation	3
ACCT 401	Advanced Financial Accounting	3
FIN Elective: See catalog and degree audit for a list of approved courses.		3
SECOND SEMESTER
ACCT 495	Accounting Internship	1-12
or FIN 495	Finance Internship
FIN Elective: See catalog and degree audit for a list of approved courses.		3
SOMETIME IN THE FOURTH OR FIFTH YEAR
MGMT 449	Strategic Management in a Global Business Environment	3
CGER Option: Civics & Perspectives (CP)		3
CGER Option: Civics & Perspectives (CP)		3
Elective Credits: Additional credits needed to reach 120 credits to graduate or 150 credits for CPA exam.
FIFTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
ACCT Elective: See catalog and degree audit for list of approved courses.		0-3
ACCT 313	Auditing	3
ACCT 460	Accounting Information Systems and Technology	3
SECOND SEMESTER
ACCT 470	Data Analytics for Accounting	3
FIN Electives: See catalog and degree audit for list of approved courses.		3-6
ACCT Elective: See catalog and degree audit for list of approved courses.		5-6
Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

¹

Please see this webpage for more information regarding the SPDP program.

²

Please see this webpage for more information regarding Your Major + Study Abroad.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs)

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study Abroad, Intercultural Immersion, Internships, and/or Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire.

Core General Education Requirements (CGER)