Computer Information Systems Minor
Advantages
Gain skills in programming and software engineering to learn how to design the user experience for a national fintech company.
Outcome
UX Strategist
Undergraduate Major
Finance Major: Bachelor’s Degree in Business (BSBA)
Our bachelor's in finance prepares you for a fast start and long-term career success - whether you want to lead Wall Street or work on your hometown's Main Street.
At a Glance
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Offered as
Major
4+1 Bachelor's + Master's
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA (Main Campus)
Explore the Finance Major
As a finance major, you'll develop a resume distinguished by hands-on learning experiences. In our state-of-the-art Finance Lab, you can analyze real-time data with industry-standard software as you work on a team to manage an investment portfolio. Choose the track that fits your career goals:
- Traditional Finance Track for corporate careers with local and global financial institutions
- Financial Planning Track for immediate eligibility to sit for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP ®) exam
No matter how you customize your education, you'll be mentored by industry insiders who can connect you with countless internships and co-ops with finance, wealth management, and financial planning companies.
The School of Business Administration is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This professional accreditation places Widener among the top one-third of college business schools in the U.S. and Europe.
Finance Major Specializations
Both specializations will prepare you to take the Series 65 exam to become an investment adviser representative.
The traditional finance curriculum prepares students for professional positions with financial institutions, finance departments of business enterprises, and asset management companies.
Every business decision has financial implications. Finance majors will learn how to become strategic leaders in a wide range of positions, from financial analysts and portfolio managers to financial advisors and risk managers.
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The financial planning track is appropriate for students who wish to start their own financial planning business or work in the broad area of financial services. This track is designed so that graduates will be immediately eligible to sit for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP ®) exam.
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Program Options
Earning an accelerated master's degree will enhance your job opportunities and prepare you for rapid career growth—all while saving you time and money.
Fast Track to a Business MBA or MS Degree
As a major within the School of Business Administration, you have the unique opportunity to complete bachelor's and master's degree Loading... in five years. In addition to your business major of choice, you can choose to pursue a master's in business administration (MBA), business innovation (MS), or taxation and financial planning (MS).
Earn an Accelerated Master's in Another Field of Study
Widener also makes it possible to complete a 4+1 degree in a different field of study through our Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program.
Joining a select group of universities worldwide, Widener has been designated as a Bloomberg Experiential Learning Partner, incorporating Bloomberg technology into the curriculum and providing students with hands-on experience through the use of real-time investment data, analytical tools, and trading simulations.
Widener's Finance Lab features the same advanced technology and programs professional asset managers and investors use in the real-world.
In this lab, finance students can complete the Bloomberg Market Concepts 8-hour, self-paced e-learning course and earn a Bloomberg Certificate, which shows future employers that they have mastered the Bloomberg system when it comes to analyzing data.
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Our acclaimed co-op program and emphasis on internships will transform your powerful Widener education into action, helping you gain the experiences, connections, and career-building moments that will benefit you for a lifetime.
Tap into powerful networks of faculty mentors and Career Design & Development professionals to secure real-world work experience that matches your career goals.
The best part? You can get paid and still graduate on time.
The business honors program is an exciting opportunity for academically talented students to enrich their business education with advanced honors courses, an honors seminar, collaboration with faculty on research, civic engagement, and professional and leadership development opportunities.
Students can complete their program of study in 4 years graduating with a certificate of honors in business.
Eligibility
Students are admitted to the School of Business Administration Honors Program as entering freshmen, based on high school GPA and academic credentials. If numbers permit, then additional students may be admitted at the end of freshman year (based on GPA).
Requirements
- Take 5 business honors courses during the first 6 semesters. A co-op can substitute for one of the business honors courses.
- Maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA.
- Complete two of the following enrichment experiences: honors international trip, graduate course, research with a faculty member, passing a professional exam, or working in the Small Business Development Center.
Benefits
- Eligibility to take honors sections of required business courses, which typically cover the material in greater breadth and depth, and often with a focus on experiential learning.
- Opportunity to participate in an honors international trip.
- Special distinction at commencement wearing the honors cord. In addition, a certificate of honors awarded at commencement and on official transcript.
Pair Your Finance Major with a Minor or Certificate
Career Outlook & Outcomes for Finance Majors
Why Study Finance at Widener?
Manage an Investment Fund & Explore Innovative Facilities
As part of the Money Club, you'll manage an investment portfolio in real-time through our Student-Managed Investment Fund. What started as a $500,000 allocation from the university has grown significantly under the management of students like you—plus guidance from an advisory board of professionals from leading financial firms, many of whom are Widener alumni.
Our state-of-the-art Finance Lab is just one of many spaces on campus that bring cutting-edge resources and learning experiences right to your fingertips.
Learn with Industry Experts
Widener's unique Executives in Residence program brings industry leaders to campus, providing you with career mentorship and networking opportunities with experts in the field.
Industry leaders within our finance advisory board also provide networking opportunities to students and support the program in its future growth and competitive development.
Expand Your Network & Engage on Campus
Join professional organizations to grow your resume and network with business students and professionals across Philadelphia and the world.
On campus, you can live with other first-year business students in the Business (Developing Entrepreneurs) Living Learning Community (LLC). Through co-curricular activities and social events, you'll explore the real-life experiences of entrepreneurs, build bonds with business faculty, and make friends for life.
Experience Mentorship & Support From Day One
We want to get to know you and see you succeed. Professors will pay attention to how you learn and what you want to accomplish. Your Personal Student Success Team—faculty and peer mentors and liaisons for campus resources—will make sure your first year runs smoothly.
Without skipping a beat, you’ll have what you need to make Widener your second home. And you’ll know how to invest in the greater community, from professional opportunities in Philadelphia to volunteer experiences in your new backyard.
Lean more about faculty mentorship
Explore resources for success and support
Student Stories
Finance Major Highlights
Our Faculty
At the SBA, we are committed to ensuring that what you learn is immediately useful to you. In our classes, we provide multiple dimensions of the topics using real-world implications of financial concepts. We also teach our classes using the same tools and methods that are used by current financial professionals. Our goal is to help our students build a portfolio of competencies that will enhance their careers.
Recent News
Turning Up the Heat: Annual Summertime Program Helps Widener Students Apply Classroom Knowledge to Real-World Issues
The Summer Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities program, or SURCA, saw a record number of participants this year from across academic disciplines. Included in this group were several students taking part for the first time.
Meet the 2022 Graduates Nominated to Give Student Messages for This Year’s Commencement
Meet Gavin Poole and Kripaya Varghese, the undergraduate and graduate students nominated by their peers to deliver video messages to their fellow graduates ahead of the 2022 commencement celebrations.
Widener Student Managed Investment Funds Surpass $1 Million Milestone
Investment portfolios managed by students and faculty advisers have doubled in the past five years, now exceeding a combined $1 million.
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions
Applying to Widener is easy—and free! Simply complete our Widener Application or the Common Application. You'll also need your official high school transcript and either an admissions essay or your SAT/ACT scores. We're a test-optional school, so there's no need to submit both.
Know you're interested in applying to Widener but unsure if you're ready to zero-in on a major? You can apply as an Exploratory Studies student with an undecided major. This program will help you start your college journey on the right foot while you explore which undergraduate program is the right fit for you.
When to Apply
We accept applications on a rolling basis—there are no hard deadlines. Apply when you're ready and we'll take a look as soon as we receive your app.
Key dates to keep in mind:
- October 1: FAFSA opens for the next academic year (Widener's school code is 003313)
- November 1: Early Action deadline and decision notifications begin
What to Expect After Applying
Once we receive your application and all materials, you can expect to hear back from us quickly. Along with your application decision, you'll also find out about any merit-based scholarship awards. You're automatically considered for merit scholarships as soon as you apply—you don't need to apply separately.
If you apply before November 1, you are considered an Early Action applicant which comes with benefits like:
- Receiving your admissions decision by Thanksgiving
- Early consideration for merit-based scholarships
- Early notification of financial aid offers, including need-based awards
- Priority enrollment for summer registration—where you sign up for classes!
All applications are non-binding, so why wait? Apply today!
Our admissions team will help you make the most of college-level credits earned after high school. We maintain strong partnerships and articulation agreements with numerous local community colleges and also accept a wide range of course credits earned at accredited colleges and universities.
Curious about how many credits may transfer? Email your transcripts to transfer@widener.edu and our transfer coordinator will personally review your coursework as an unofficial credit evaluation. Applicants are given priority during busy seasons, but you don't have to apply to work with our transfer coordinator.
Transferring doesn't have to be a guessing game—share your stats and we'll take it from there!
Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world. We are located just outside of Philadelphia and close to New York City and Washington, D.C.—offering many unique professional and personal opportunities to explore.
Want to know what it's like to be an international student on campus or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process.
This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey—meeting Visa/immigration requirements, getting acclimated to campus, and much more.
Financial Aid
Because Widener is a private institution, we're able to offer financial assistance that brings an exceptional education within reach. Complete your admissions application today to determine your financial aid package, including scholarships and grants.
Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to getting you the financial assistance to make the cost of college—an investment in your future—affordable. This free, online application is the gateway to grants, loans, and other forms of financial aid. Every year, the U.S. Department of Education offers billions of dollars in financial aid to eligible students. Widener gets in on the action, too, annually awarding aid to students with need.
You and at least one parent or caregiver will need a separate FSA ID to access the Federal Student Aid's online system and serve as your legal signatures. Make sure to create your unique FSA IDs before you get started. Our school code is 003313.
Paths to Savings
95% of Undergrad Students Receive Financial Aid
Nearly 100% of new students receive significant financial aid offers that reduce out-of-pocket costs and make a Widener education not only affordable, but well worth the investment. In fact, once your total financial aid is calculated, the cost of a Widener education is often equal to if not lower than other competitive universities–but with far superior outcomes for your career and earning potential.
The first step to see how much aid you qualify for is submitting the FAFSA.
Scholarships Start at $90,000 Over 4 Years
(including $20,000 per academic year for transfer students)
Funding you don't have to pay back after graduation? That's a win-win! Scholarships and grants are a way for the university and other organizations to honor the academic, merit, and talent-based achievements of our students.
4+1 Students Save Time & Tuition
In the Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you can save up to a year of tuition by pursuing a master's degree—resulting in thousands of dollars in savings. During your fifth year of study, you can also apply for graduate-level scholarships and assistantships to further reduce education costs. To learn more about graduate scholarships and assistantships, please speak with your academic advisor during the spring semester of your senior year.
Earn an Income with a Paid Co-Op & Still Graduate On-Time
Tap into our wide network of Philly-area employers and experience a full-time, paid co-op. In addition to earning an income, you do not pay tuition while on co-op. You can also choose to live on campus, at home, or even travel for your co-op.