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Chase Reardon '20

Finance
BS, Minor

Master capital. Manage risk. Drive strategy.

Finance is where data, markets, and strategy converge. At the Charlton College of Business, the finance major prepares you to analyze risk, allocate capital, and drive financial performance in a rapidly evolving global economy.

You’ll develop expertise in corporate finance, investments, financial modeling, quantitative finance, fintech innovation, and data analytics — gaining the analytical and strategic skills today’s employers demand.

Program curriculum and details

You’ll learn from faculty with industry and research expertise who bring real-world financial insight into the classroom. Coursework integrates economics, accounting, statistics, and data analytics to prepare you for complex financial decision-making in corporate finance, investment management, and fintech environments.

Internships with corporations, financial institutions, and investment firms help you translate analytical skills into professional impact.

As global markets expand and financial technologies evolve, demand for finance professionals with quantitative and data-driven expertise continues to grow. Finance majors are prepared for roles across corporate finance, investment banking, asset management, financial services, government, and fintech organizations, including:

  • budget analyst
  • financial analyst
  • financial manager
  • financial planner
  • mortgage officer
  • portfolio & mutual fund manager

Student success

Charlton College of Business mean starting salary

Salary range: $82,743 NACE Data Collection of Class of 2024 Undergraduate Alumni

Advance your career — many finance undergrads enroll in accelerated 4+1 MBA or MS in Finance programs to fulfill certification and/or job requirements. Charlton College of Business graduate students in the class of 2024 earned a mean starting salary of $90,700.

Student spotlight

Dominik Aguilar '26

Internship placements

  • Commonwealth Financial Network
  • Textron
  • ScottTrade
  • Ameriprise
  • Merrill Lynch
  • Insurance Roundtable (The Washington Center)

Career placements

  • EMC
  • Amica
  • Unilever
  • Fidelity
  • State Street Bank
  • Wells Fargo
  • Putnam Investments

Charlton’s finance curriculum blends financial theory with applied quantitative analysis. You’ll build expertise in corporate finance, investments, financial markets, risk management, and financial modeling while developing strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills.

For the BS in finance, you’ll complete 120 total credit hours, including University Studies, business foundation courses, and upper-level finance coursework.

A minor in finance provides foundational knowledge in financial decision-making, investment management, and financial institutions. You’ll strengthen your analytical skills and deepen your understanding of how global financial markets operate.

Foundation courses in all business minors

  • ECO 231: Principles of Microeconomics
  • ACT 211: Principles of Accounting I
  • MKT 311: Principles of Marketing
  • MGT 201: Organizational Behavior

4+1 Accelerated bachelor’s to master’s option

Qualified students in this program may be eligible to pursue an accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s pathway at UMass Dartmouth. This option allows you to begin graduate coursework while completing your undergraduate degree and transition directly into a master's program. Learn how the accelerated program works.

3+3 with UMass Law: a fast track to a law degree

Enrollment in the 3+3 joint degree program with UMass Law offers an accelerated pathway to an undergraduate and law degree, enabling qualifying students to substitute the first year of law school for the final year of their undergraduate program, thereby earning both a bachelor’s degree from UMass Dartmouth and a Juris Doctor from UMass Law in six rather than seven years.

  • AACSB-accredited business school
  • Ranked among the top public undergraduate business programs in the U.S. (U.S. News & World Report)
  • Access to Charlton’s Student Managed Investment Fund and eight Bloomberg Terminals
  • Dedicated academic and career advising
  • Strong internship network across financial services and corporate sectors

Many finance majors pursue advanced credentials through Charlton’s accelerated 4+1 MBA or MS in finance programs, positioning themselves for certification requirements and leadership roles.

Frequently asked questions

Have questions about the Finance BS program? Below are answers to common questions about admissions, curriculum, career outcomes, and student experience.

Finance focuses on investment strategy, capital allocation, markets, and risk management. Accounting centers on financial reporting, auditing, and regulatory compliance. Because the fields are closely connected, many students pair a major and minor in finance and accounting to strengthen their analytical foundation and expand career opportunities.

The finance curriculum provides strong preparation in investment analysis, financial planning, risk management, and financial markets — foundational knowledge for certifications such as the CFP®, CFA®, and FINRA Series exams. Students interested in licensure or certification are encouraged to work with faculty advisors to align coursework and career planning with professional requirements.

Yes. The curriculum prepares students for careers in corporate finance, investment banking, asset management, financial services, and fintech organizations.

Yes. Many students continue into Charlton’s accelerated 4+1 MBA or MS in finance programs. Students may also pursue a 3+3 pathway with the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s School of Law, positioning themselves for careers in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, contract negotiation, regulatory compliance, and financial governance.


Accreditations and distinctions

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) Accreditation Logo

Charlton offers you the distinction of an AACSB-accredited school and the value of a highly regarded public university.

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