The College of Charleston will introduce a new finance major in the School of Business in the fall of 2013. The finance major is an expansion of the current concentration in finance and is designed to give graduates a stronger degree designation and placement in the job market.
“It’s important for the College of Charleston School of Business to offer the finance major because it aligns with the hiring needs in the commercial side of our bank,” says Len Hutchison, senior vice president, Charleston market president, Wells Fargo. “We are excited about the new degree with hopes that future students in the program will also benefit from our Wells Fargo business scholarship.”
Hutchison has taught banking management in the School of Business. He is also the primary liaison between the bank and the School of Business on the Wells Fargo Business Scholarship, which has been supporting College of Charleston students for over 15 years.
It is estimated that there will be 75-100 majors in the program next fall. Several seniors who are currently earning a major in business administration with a concentration in finance will stay an additional year to graduate with the finance major. In addition to the finance major, students also have the option to select a focus area in real estate, economics, or insurance.
“The finance major is a very strong addition to our portfolio of academic programs,” says Alan T. Shao, dean of the School of Business. “A finance major ranks in the top 15 most valuable majors, according to Forbes Magazine. Our students will be well positioned to enter the job market.”
Beyond the core business, economics, and math courses required for all business students, the finance major requires upper level accounting, advanced financial modeling, valuation, feasibility analysis, bank management, and other course electives in insurance, real estate or investments.
During their junior and senior years, most students who pursue the finance major will complete internships at leading banking institutions, national and local insurance firms, and commercial real estate firms. Alternatively, other interns gain experience at national and local insurance firms and at large corporate and investment real estate firms.
For more information about the finance major, contact Jocelyn Evans, chair of the Department of Economics and Finance, at evansj@cofc.edu or 843.953.6405.
About the School of Business
College of Charleston’s School of Business offers seven undergraduate majors and several interdisciplinary concentrations, an honors program in business, an M.S. in Accountancy and an MBA. Approximately 1800 undergraduate and graduate students attend from as far away as China, Germany and Brazil. The faculty has research expertise in areas such as global logistics, hospitality and tourism, political economics, financial investment, bankruptcy, business intelligence, real estate, and sustainable business practices. Visit http://sb.cofc.edu/to learn more about our students’ achievements, undergraduate and graduate programs, faculty and Centers of Excellence.
