![Business Economics Market Board](/sites/default/files/styles/width_2520/public/2019-01/business_economics_market_board.jpg?itok=DgctwWEa)
Finance
About This Program
You are interested in money. You have good analytical and communications skills and want to use them to solve important business problems related to investing, borrowing, budgeting and saving. You have the desire to be a trusted professional that helps individuals and organizations manage money. Finance may be the major for you.
Department
Why Utica University
Utica University’s finance program provides students with the highest quality of instruction. You will be taught by winners of the Crisafulli Award for Teaching Excellence, the highest teaching award at Utica University. By faculty publishing in the top finance journals. And by faculty that have earned the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst, the most prestigious credential in finance.
In addition to excellence in the classroom, the finance major provides you with numerous extra-curricular activities that will enrich your college experience. These include the Utica University Investment Club, student membership on the University Investment Board, field trips to NYC, financial conferences and internships.
The department is housed in the Brevnik Center for Business Education, located in the downtown business district in Utica. While it is common for business schools at large universities to reside in the financial district, it is much less common at smaller institutions such as Utica University. This provides students with unique opportunities for interacting with business and finance leaders.
Finance at Utica
“Finance is not merely about making money. It’s about achieving our deep goals and protecting the fruits of our labor. It’s about stewardship and, therefore, about achieving the good society.”
What You'll Learn
The Utica University finance major begins with the Business Core, providing students with a solid foundation in the functional areas of business, including accounting, economics and marketing. Courses comprising the finance major teach students the skills necessary to apply advanced financial concepts to corporate and personal investment decisions. As part of the program requirement, you will gain hands-on investment experience from the first year by taking FIN 105 – Investment Practicum. In this class, you are required to make stock investment decisions using real money funded by the University.
In addition to a contemporary and compelling curriculum, students also have many opportunities to learn outside of the classroom. Students can join the Investment Club and help manage a portfolio worth over $200,000. They can meet regional and national business leaders by participating in our Executive Lecture Series or by participating in sponsored travel to New York City and academic conferences.
For students who have a broad interest in finance, our curriculum is designed to be quite flexible to accommodate your needs. Depending on your interests, you may finish the degree in general finance or one of the following two specializations:
Investment:
This specialization prepares students to gain a strong knowledge in investment in areas such as equity, fixed income, and other financial assets. Besides taking classes to prepare you for conducting security analysis and forming security strategies, you are also expected to gain hands-on investment experience by running the Utica University Investment Club’s investment portfolios.
Real Estate Finance:
This interdisciplinary specialization is a joint effort created by faculty in both finance and construction management at the University. It is designed for students who are interested in becoming a real-estate investment professional. Besides taking classes in economics, finance, and accounting to value and assess the risks inherent in real estate investment, you will take selected classes through the construction management program to understand the process and analyze real estate development opportunities.
![Business Meeting](/sites/default/files/styles/width_1080/public/2019-01/business_meeting.jpg?h=bd88e793&itok=-DoxvjuD)
Finance Faculty
![Richard Fenner, Ph.D.](/sites/default/files/styles/width_240/public/2023-08/rick-fenner-750x500.jpg?itok=tGNrH9WP)
- Professor of Economics
![Dr. Zhaodan Huang](/sites/default/files/styles/width_240/public/2019-02/Huang_Zhaodan_Jordan_Finance_20170403_026.jpg?itok=fvP6GT3q)
- Distinguished Professor of Finance
![Dr. Margaret Morgan-Davie](/sites/default/files/styles/width_240/public/2019-02/margaret_morgan_davies-99.jpg?itok=91g5I2CJ)
- Assistant Professor of Economics
- Associate Professor of Economics
![Dr. Glen Hansen](/sites/default/files/styles/width_240/public/2019-02/hansen_business_028.jpg?itok=MqrS4rfS)
- Associate Professor of Accounting
![Professor Donna Dolansky](/sites/default/files/styles/width_240/public/2019-02/Dolansky_Donna_20181113_0017.jpg?itok=_fQTytqg)
- Professor of Practice Acct
- Adjunct Lecturer of Finance
A Degree That Works
In addition to providing a strong foundation for employment in business, the finance major is also a good basis for graduate work in business, economics and law.
Recent graduates have taken positions at the following:
- Bank of New York Mellon
- Goldman Sachs
- Northwestern Mutual
- Oppenheimer Fund
- Deutsche Bank
- IHTC International
- Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
- M&T Bank
- Taro Pharmaceuticals
- Commonfund
- Strategic Financial Services
- Adirondack Bank
![Utica College - DePerno Hall](/sites/default/files/styles/width_1350/public/2019-01/20180518_spring_scenics_007-1350x1050.jpg?h=a98cafbb&itok=aty0eGbn)
![Business stock Ticker at Downtown Center](/sites/default/files/styles/width_650/public/2019-01/business_stock_ticker_at_downtown_center.jpg?h=c8d8679b&itok=C_YxwBV4)
Tools of the Trade
The First Source Federal Credit Union Trading Room provides Utica Business students with computer workstations loaded with financial software, smart boards, and a real-time stock ticker.
Student Voices: Arsadur Rahman
A brief conversation with Arsadur Rahman, a business economics / finance major from Bangladesh, about his program and his experience as part of the Utica University community.
![Learning at Utica College](/sites/default/files/styles/width_650/public/2019-01/20180220_nesbitt-bus-611_0056-72dpi.jpg?h=02a617ab&itok=zOzfltuz)
Putting theory to work
In Utica University's finance major, managerial economics, research methods in economics, and an internship provide the link between economic theory and business application.
More Than Numbers
![A student makes a presentation beside a poster at the 2024 Student Conference for Research, Professional Activities, and Creative Arts](/sites/default/files/styles/width_550/public/2024-04/2024_student_conference_for_research_professional_activities_and_creative_arts_01.jpg?h=456a6cab&itok=f2LRDoC3)
Utica University Hosts Annual Student Conference for Research, Professional Activities, and Creative Arts
![Ujjwal Rai G'20](/sites/default/files/styles/width_550/public/2024-01/ujjwal_rai_edited.jpg?h=b3660f0d&itok=UX8TAgVA)
A taste of home: Ujjwal Rai G'20
![Maame Yaa Boakye, Class of 2020, in black shirt and green jacket.](/sites/default/files/styles/width_550/public/2023-12/maame_yaa_boakye_20_headshot.jpg?h=0b0bcb2c&itok=wECbAID6)
Building Experiences at Utica, Building Wealth at Goldman Sachs: Maame Yaa Boakye ‘20
![Academic Quad at Utica College](/sites/default/files/styles/width_1440/public/2019-01/fall-quad-cta-1440x350.jpg?itok=_8ViqBAR)