Finance Program Major - Bachelor of Science (BS)

Apply for this option during your junior year
Boost your employability and earning potential by earning your MBA. With GMercyU's unique  4 +1 MBA,  students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher can earn both a bachelor of science degree in finance  and a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) in just five years.

Skip the grad school entrance exams by taking graduate credits during your senior year – as part of your undergraduate tuition – and then seamlessly complete your MBA the following year.

Gwynedd Mercy University’s well-rounded program will help you develop specialized finance skills while building your communication and leadership abilities, highly prized skills in today's marketplace. And, you’ll enjoy access to networking opportunities that will build your business contacts before you've graduated.

As a GMercyU finance major, you can:

Take advantage of the unique learning opportunities available in our financial trading room equipped with a real-time stock ticker and Stock-Trak® software for creating simulated investment portfolios.

Dive deeply into several specialty areas, including investments, risk management, sports business finance, and taxation.

Learn from expert faculty members (no teaching assistants!) who have extensive experience in both the classroom and the boardroom. GMercyU’s low 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio means individualized support and mentorship from your professors.

Join the student-led Investment Club to gain some practical experience with managing portfolios and the use of StockTrak as an investment platform.

Participate in national business conferences to expand your horizons and begin making connections with the very people who may become your future employers. 

Talk with guest lecturers from area businesses who add their own unique insight to your education. 

Hone your leadership skills in our Griffin Student Leadership Institute, designed to develop effective leaders who will use their competence and compassion to respond in practical ways to the needs of the world.

Develop key skills that all employers value and that GMercyU emphasizes, such as communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Upon graduation and with some work experience, begin a self-study program towards the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation.

The Finance program’s curriculum spans accounting, marketing, business management, ethics, and statistics. You’ll learn the basics of how businesses are structured and the important aspects of financial planning.

The prerequisite classes will teach you the building blocks of accounting and theories that can be applied in business settings; the management core classes will teach you the principles of business management, as well as statistical courses that will aid in financial planning. Once you’ve earned your degree, your skills will apply to a broad range of financial career paths and will ultimately make you a desirable candidate throughout the job market.

In addition to general education requirements, you will need to complete the following courses to earn your B.S. in finance degree:

Prerequisites - 15 Credits

Management Core - 30 credits

Finance Management - 21 Credits

Credit Requirements
A minimum of 125 credits is required for the bachelor’s degree in finance.

Undergraduate Minors
Increase the value of your Bachelor of Science in Finance degree by adding an undergraduate minor that best suits your personal and professional goals.

As you earn your degree, you will develop a solid foundation in the principles of finance along with courses in management, business law and ethics, statistics, and other topics. If you’re wondering what your finance courses would look like at GMercyU, here’s a peek at just a few.

BUS 312 Managerial Finance
An examination of financial decision making in the firm, including the sources of funds, capital structure and long-range financial growth are studied.

BUS 313 Investments
An introduction to the securities markets, their operations and regulations, and alternative investment opportunities are presented. Corporate and government issues, risk and portfolio development will be considered. Current market conditions will be discussed.

BUS 314 International Finance
The course considers the nature and scope of international financial management, investment, international exchange, U.S. balance of payment, and the multinational enterprise will be discussed.

For all Finance program course descriptions, please refer to the undergraduate catalog.

Alan Harper, MBA, PhD
Position: Assisant Dean of the School of Business and Education; Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Finance and Management programs
Did You Know? Dr. Harper has 20 years of management experience and has published more than 15 peer-reviewed articles.
Read bio

 

Melissa Dennis, DBA
Position: Assistant Professor, Marketing
Did You Know? Dr. Dennis spent 15 years working for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products in customer relationship and customer engagement, supporting Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Vacation Club, and the Disney Cruise line businesses.
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Margaret Rakus, EdD
Position: Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator, Marketing and Digital Communications programs
Did You Know? Dr. Rakus has held industry positions in marketing and public relations. She holds certifications in Tableau, Hootsuite, Google Analytics, Google AdWords, and more.
Read bio
 

Maddie Herman, MsEd
Position: Instructor and Program Coordinator, Sport Management
Did You Know? Herman has worked for the Philadelphia 76er's and Wells Fargo Center, and ran GMercyU's Intramurals and Recreation program.
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Luigi Corrado, Jr., CPA, MT
Position: Professor of Practice and Program Coordinator, Accounting
Did You Know? Professor Corrado spent nearly 20 years in the accounting industry as a financial statement auditor, corporate controller, and senior consultant with a variety of firms.  
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The Griffin Edge is comprised of five touchpoints -- Excellence, Engagement, Experience, Empathy, and Encouragement -- that become the cornerstones of your Distinctive Mercy Experience as a full-time undergraduate student.

The Griffin Edge includes an e-portfolio for documenting your GMercyU educational and extracurricular experiences (no matter your major), reflecting on those experiences, and receiving feedback from faculty. It's designed to help you take ownership of your educational journey and chart the right career path for you. It will also help you learn how to talk about your college experiences in meaningful ways — and that can make all the difference in a job interview. 

For example, a student might say in a job interview: "I conducted research at the undergraduate level." 

A Griffin Edge student might say: "The opportunity to conduct my own research alongside expert faculty taught me the importance of being exact in my data collection and analysis. I was even able to present my findings at our annual research conference! I know this is the career for me."

Learn more about the Griffin Edge here.

GMercyU finance majors regularly intern with some of the top companies in the region. The right internship can act as a powerful springboard toward a successful career, building your resume with relevant work experience and professional references. That’s why completing an internship is a graduation requirement of all finance majors.

Recently, our students have interned at these organizations:

• Aetna
• KPMG
• Merrill Lynch
• PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
• United States Liability Insurance
• XL Catlin
• Vanguard

Financial services such as investment planning, mortgage financing, and retirement saving strategies are consistently in high demand. Here’s a look at a few career opportunities to explore; see a longer list below.

Top Jobs for Finance Majors

Personal Financial Advisor
Description: A personal financial advisor works with individuals to develop investment, savings, and debt management strategies. Personal financial advisors work for wealth management firms, insurance companies, or in an independent office.
Degree Requirements: A bachelor of science in finance and additional investment product licensures; some employers may prefer a master’s degree in finance.
Average Salary: The average salary for a personal financial advisor in the U.S. is $95,390.
Source

Loan Officer
Description: Loan officers review individual and business applications for loans. Most loan officers work in banks, credit unions, or mortgage companies.
Degree Requirements: A bachelor of science in finance
Average Salary: The average salary for a loan officer in the U.S. is $65,740.
Source

Financial Economist
Description: Financial economists analyze trends, collect and interpret data, and study economic issues. Although many economists work in an independent office, some find positions in the government or financial institutions.
Degree Requirements: Some employers will accept a bachelor’s degree in finance for entry-level positions. You may also need to earn a master’s degree or PhD in economics.
Average Salary: The average salary for a financial economist in the U.S. is $113,940.
Source

More Career Possibilities for Finance Majors

• Actuary
• Appraiser
• Audit Manager
• Bank Manager
• Bank Representative
• Bookkeeper
• Branch Manager
• Budget Analyst
• Business Analyst
• Business Manager
• CPA
• Chief Executive Officer
• Chief Financial Officer
• Claim Adjuster/Examiner
• Commodities Trader
• Consumer Credit Officer
• Controller
• Cost Manager
• Credit Counselor
• Credit Manager
• Estimator
• External Auditor
• Finance Writer
• Financial Analyst
• Financial Consultant
• Financial Planner
• Foreign Exchange Trader
• Government Official
• Industrial/Institutional Buyer
• Insurance Agent/Broker
• International Trade Specialist
• Investment Banker'
• Investment Researcher
• Investor Relations
• Loan Administrator
• Loan Processor
• Management Accountant
• Market Research Analyst
• Mergers/Acquisitions Manager
• Mutual Fund Manager
• Mutual Fund Trader
• Payroll Administrator
• Portfolio Analyst
• Property Manager
• Rate Analyst
• Real Estate Developer
• Sales Analyst
• Securities Analyst
• Securities Broker
• Stockbroker
• Systems Analyst
• Treasury Management Specialist
• Trust Analyst

*This is only a partial list and not meant to limit you. Some of these careers may require additional education.

At GMercyU, we place a high value on preparing you to achieve your career goals with confidence and to leave a lasting impact on your community. 

Lauren Jani '22
Current Position: Business Operations & Growth Lead, Mayfair
Lauren majored in both Finance and Accounting, and built her skills and experience at two internships. She also played field hockey for GMercyU all four years, served as Co-President of Best Buddies and as a representative on the GMercyU Business Student Advisory Board, the Investment Club, and the Griffin Student Leadership Institute of Exceptional Leaders. She was inducted into multiple honor societies. 

"The accounting and finance fair that's held annually provides so many opportunities to be placed in some of the best internships in our area as soon as sophomore year." Read more about Lauren's GMercyU experience.

Justin DeLuzio ’17
Current Position: Assistant Actuary, Chubb
A recipient of GMercyU’s Presidential Scholarship, Justin began as a sports management major but with a love for numbers and statistics, he decided to add a second major in finance. Justin ran with our cross country team and took part in the Griffin Student Leadership Institute (GSLI), the Business Club, and the Residence Hall Association (RHA). He also completed two internships, one at United States Liability Insurance (USLI) and one at XL Catlin, both prominent insurance firms location in Pennsylvania. Today, Justin works at Chubb, one of the largest insurance companies in the world.

“GMercyU has allowed me to recognize and embrace the importance of scholarship, fidelity, and service – all values in which I will continue to live by.” Learn more about Justin’s GMercyU experience.


Maximo Alberto '15/'17
Current Position: Mortgage Loan Originator, Movement Mortgage
A graduate of GMercyU’s finance and MBA programs, Maximo currently secures housing financing for clients in the Philadelphia area – and, as an entrepreneur, he helps GMercyU students secure loans for their first home purchases. Maximo is also a member of the National Guard, and he volunteers with Bunker Labs Philadelphia, an organization that seeks to help veterans and military families start their own businesses.

“My time at GMercyU and in the military shaped me into an individual who values integrity, respect, service, and social justice in the world.” Learn more about Maximo’s GMercyU experience.

Have you already earned college-level credits at other institutions or accounting colleges? GMercyU makes it easy for you to transfer your credits. Learn how on our Transfer Credits page.

In addition, GMercyU offers dual admissions agreements with Bucks County Community College and Montgomery County Community College — as well as the following articulation agreements.

Harcum College
AS Business Administration to BS in Finance

Have questions about GMercyU's admissions requirements? Our Admissions Staff is ready to walk you through the process of applying or transferring to GMercyU’s Finance program.

Email: admissions@gmercyu.edu
Phone: 215-641-5510

Apply now

At GMercyU, we strive to make a quality education accessible to all through financial aid, scholarships, and grants. As a military-friendly university, we welcome service members and participate in all VA educational benefits programs. 

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Get the training you need for a career in the world of sports. Earn your Bachelor of Science in Finance with GMercyU. 

Apply now