Nov 24, 2024  
2024-25 Western Washington University Catalog 
    
2024-25 Western Washington University Catalog

Business Administration — Finance Concentration, BA

Location(s): WWU - Bellingham


Department of Finance & Marketing, College of Business and Economics

86-88 credits

Introduction

The Business Administration program has been designed to prepare students for leadership roles in business and the community. One program objective is to provide students with the perceptual and analytical skills necessary in making decisions and evaluating policy in business; another is to develop student understanding of the social, economic and regulatory environment of business. The program is designed for students with a variety of career goals, including opportunities with financial institutions, manufacturing and retail firms, service industries and the public sector.

Learning Competency Goals

  • Demonstrate breadth of business knowledge
  • Produce quality business documents
  • Analyze problems using an ethical perspective
  • Analyze the legal implications of business decisions
  • Critically analyze problems and defend resolutions
  • Solve business problems using quantitative techniques
  • Apply a global perspective in conducting business
  • Identify and analyze social consequences of business activities
  • Understand the importance of environmental sustainability

Why Consider a Finance Concentration in the Business Administration Major?

The field of Finance encompasses many different areas including investments, financial institutions, corporate finance and real estate. Coursework is offered in each of these areas as well as courses in options and futures, multi-national finance and insurance. A graduate with a concentration in Finance may work as a financial securities or loan officer analyst, as well as a business financial manager, portfolio manager, or financial planner stockbroker.

 Contact Information

CBE Admissions & Scholarships
Dean’s Office
Parks Hall 419
360-650-3896
cbe@wwu.edu

Department Chair
Edwin A. Love
Parks Hall 417
360-650-4614
Ed.Love@wwu.edu

 

Major Information:
Academic Department Manager

Heather Christianson
Parks Hall 415
360-650-2079
chris54@wwu.edu

 Sample Careers

Mutual Fund Manager | Chief Financial Officer | Investment Banker | Financial Planner | Claims Adjuster/Examiner | Actuary | Financial Analyst | Appraiser

 Major/Career Resources

careercenter.wwu.edu/connectmajorcareer
cbe.wwu.edu/fmkt/finance-program

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

How to apply: Students who meet the requirements will be assured of admission if space is available in the department program of choice. For consideration as a pre-major, provisional major or full major, complete the online application form at: cbe.wwu.edu/apply-cbe.

Pre-major: Students who have not completed their foundation course work may apply to the College and be given pre-major status. Pre-major status is granted to students who are at least sophomore level, or who have been identified as top quintile students, and who, at the time of application, meet the following requirements:

  • Minimum of a 2.50 cumulative college-level GPA including all previous institutions.
  • Minimum of 2.50 cumulative GPA in all courses taken at Western.
  • Students must have a WWU cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher to be considered in good academic standing with the University.

Students with pre-major status may only enroll for foundation or core courses listed. Their progress will be monitored by the College and they will attain full major status upon successfully completing the foundation courses and meeting the admission criteria above.

Full major: For admission to the College of Business and Economics as a full major (except majors in economics and manufacturing and supply chain management) a student must meet the following requirements:

  • Minimum of 2.50 cumulative GPA after having completed all foundation courses. The cumulative GPA is calculated on all college-level course work completed by the student, including any transfer work.
  • Minimum of 2.50 cumulative GPA in all courses taken at Western.
  • Students must be in good academic standing with the University.

Students who meet the requirements will be assured of admission if space is available in the department program of choice. For economics and manufacturing and supply chain management admissions requirements, see the appropriate sections of this catalog.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Advanced Core


Finance Concentration Courses


Two courses from the list below:


One of these courses must be a 400-level course. (FIN 448, FIN 449 or FIN 455 may be used as one of these courses if not used for the requirement above.)

One course from the list below: