Enter the world of finance and investing.

Get ready for a diverse and exciting career path in finance. Financial analysis is an essential part of business today, and one of the primary activities of financial institutions.

Nichols Finance Program gives you the tools to understand and take on the role of money management within business organizations and to make sound financial decisions. Our curriculum addresses the major areas of financial analysis and planning:

  • corporate financial analysis
  • capital markets and securities
  • investing
  • banking operations
Career Opportunities

Your finance degree opens the door to many lucrative careers, including:

  • corporate financial analyst
  • stock broker
  • personal financial advisor
  • investment analyst
  • bank loan officer
  • securities trader
  • insurance sales
  • insurance underwriter
  • securities trader
  • mortgage broker
  • real estate

 

Recent Nichols Finance Program graduates are employed at many well-known companies, including:

  • Fidelity Investments
  • Putnam Investments
  • Black Rock Financial
  • MGM Grand
  • Boston Scientific
  • EMC Corporation

Career Success!

Mary Kate Frodema

Class of 2010: Mary Kate Frodema
Hometown: Springfield, MA
Major: Finance
Minor: Management
Position: First Investor’s Corporation: financial service representative Agawam, MA

How she did it:
Mary Kate says it all started at the 2010 Nichols Career Fair when she inquired about an internship with the recruiter from First Investor’s. After filling out a lengthy questionnaire and interviewing, she landed one of the five internships available from a pool of 500 candidates applying.

During her May-August internship, Mary Kate had an opportunity to learn about First Investor’s investment products. She also help plan and execute a networking seminar for existing financial service representatives at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA.

At the end of her August 2010 internship, she was told she had a permanent position after graduation.

Read about internship experiences.

Specialization Courses

Finance majors must complete 121 credit hours (approximately 40 courses), including courses from the foundation and business core curricula, focused electives and these required specialization courses:

FIN 325
 
Corporate Finance		 3 Hours, 1 Semester
 

Analysis of long-term corporate financial decisions, including capital budgeting, cost of capital, leverage, dividend policy, debt and equity financing, working capital management, and business combinations.
Prerequisite: FIN 203
FIN 330
 
Investments		 3 Hours, 1 Semester
 

A study of investment principles and techniques including the investment environment, evaluation of securities, current practices in the securities/investments industry, and the formulation of investment objectives.
Prerequisite: FIN 203
ECON 307
 
Money, Banking and the Economy		 3 Hours, 1 Semester
 

An examination of the role that money, interest rates, and financial intermediaries play in the operation of the U.S. economy. The goal of the course is to give students an overview of the U.S. financial system and an understanding of the theory and practice of monetary policy. The topics blend institutional analysis with theoretical modeling and empirical/historical perspectives.
Prerequisites: ECON 221 and 222
ACCT 402
 
Federal Taxes		 3 Hours, 1 Semester
 

This course is intended to make the student aware of the major tax issues that influence decision-making by businesses and investors. Specific topics include tax planning, income determination, capital vs. ordinary income, the deductibility of expenses, and the tax implications of various forms of business entities.
Prerequisite: FIN 203
FIN 432
 
Financial Planning		 3 Hours, 1 Semester
 

An introduction to the financial issues that impact the lives of average people every day. The course covers money management, the rudiments of investing, personal tax, the fundamentals of life, health and property insurance, the tradeoffs between risk and return in investing, home ownership and mortgages, the pitfalls of consumer debt, retirement planning, and estate planning.
Prerequisite: FIN 203
FIN 480
 
Problems in Business Finance		 3 Hours, 1 Semester
 

A capstone course which expands upon corporate finance and investment concepts. Includes exposure to advanced financial theory. The case method of instruction challenges student teams to understand, evaluate, and solve real world business problems.  
Prerequisites: FIN 325 and FIN 330

 

College Catalog

Review or download the college catalog for additional details and information about courses and requirements.

Key Faculty
William Lasher
  • William Lasher
  • Program Chair

Questions about the Finance Program? Contact Professor William Lasher, Program Chair, at william.lasher@nichols.edu or 508-213-2258.