Baldwin Wallace University (BW) offers a robust finance program designed to prepare students for diverse careers in the financial industry. The program blends theoretical knowledge with practical application, ensuring graduates are well-equipped to succeed in today's complex financial landscape.

Curriculum Overview

The finance curriculum at BW is structured to provide a strong foundation in core financial principles. Students typically begin with introductory courses covering financial accounting, economics, and statistics. These courses build a base for more advanced topics such as:

• Corporate Finance: Explores topics like capital budgeting, financial statement analysis, working capital management, and dividend policy.
• Investments: Covers investment strategies, portfolio management, security analysis, and derivatives.
• Financial Institutions: Examines the structure and regulation of financial institutions, including banks, insurance companies, and investment firms.
• International Finance: Focuses on the financial aspects of international trade, foreign exchange markets, and global investment.

Beyond these core courses, students can often choose elective courses that allow them to specialize in areas of particular interest, such as financial modeling, real estate finance, or risk management.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

BW places a strong emphasis on experiential learning, providing students with numerous opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. These opportunities can include:

• Internships: Students are encouraged to pursue internships at financial institutions, corporations, and government agencies. These internships provide valuable hands-on experience and networking opportunities.
• Case Studies: The curriculum incorporates case studies that challenge students to analyze complex financial problems and develop solutions.
• Bloomberg Terminals: BW provides access to Bloomberg Terminals, allowing students to gain experience using industry-standard financial data and analytics tools.
• Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF): Some finance programs offer a SMIF, where students manage a real investment portfolio under the guidance of faculty advisors. This provides invaluable experience in investment decision-making and portfolio management.

Career Prospects

A finance degree from Baldwin Wallace University can open doors to a wide range of career paths in the financial industry. Graduates may pursue careers as:

• Financial Analysts: Analyzing financial data, providing investment recommendations, and managing financial risk.
• Portfolio Managers: Managing investment portfolios for individuals, institutions, and corporations.
• Investment Bankers: Advising companies on mergers and acquisitions, raising capital, and structuring financial transactions.
• Financial Planners: Helping individuals and families achieve their financial goals through retirement planning, investment management, and estate planning.
• Commercial Bankers: Providing financial services to businesses, including loans, lines of credit, and cash management.

BW's strong alumni network and career services department provide students with additional support in their job search.

Faculty and Resources

The finance program at BW is typically staffed by experienced faculty members with both academic and professional backgrounds in finance. They bring their expertise and industry insights into the classroom, providing students with a valuable learning experience. The university also provides access to resources such as libraries, research databases, and career counseling services.