Bachelor of Arts in Finance

In this foundational course, students explore the principles necessary for achieving personal and career success. GEN 101 serves as a road map, guiding students as they begin their academic journey. Through self-discovery, surveying available resources, connecting with UAGC groups, and engaging with Career Services, students learn the essential skills of planning and goal setting. Students apply their personal strengths, skills, and lifelong learning strategies to develop essential career competencies. By making these meaningful connections students gain a deeper understanding of how their education relates to their desired career path.  Congratulations on embarking on this college journey filled with growth, exploration, and endless possibilities! This course is not available for non-degree seeking students.

This course offers an overview of digital fluency as it applies to personal, academic, financial, and professional success. Students will analyze the impact of digital technology on personal, social, and diversity issues and will develop digital skills that will assist in achieving academic, personal, and career goals. An overview of digital media is introduced with practical strategies for application in personal and professional life.

ENG 121 is designed to introduce students to the standards of writing in both academic and professional settings. The class will operate by first introducing, and then allowing students to practice, several written communication skills. Throughout, we will work to understand writing as a process, one that is strengthened through critical thinking, deepened by research, and built on a foundation of professional standards. As part of this process, students will also consider how emerging technologies influence contemporary writing environments and the ways writers make informed, ethical choices about their use. Students will articulate a sense of their own skills and goals and engage in collaborative conversations with peers and their instructor so as to be able to express their ideas more effectively. During the course, students will use the writing process to scrutinize their own perspectives while challenging them to embrace a wider conversation.

Learn and use key, practical skills that are applicable at home, at work, and in all UAGC courses! As UAGC students progress in their academic journey, strategies for personal, professional, and academic success continue to develop. This introductory course takes a two-pronged approach to setting students on a path to success. It merges fundamental informational literacy concepts with essential resources and skills that prepare students for college and career. Students learn how to identify, locate, evaluate, apply, and acknowledge information obtained through UAGC Library databases and internet search engines. By applying the research process, students sharpen critical thinking skills and learn to use information ethically. The final project is a practical and relevant opportunity for students to apply their learning in personally, professionally, and academically meaningful ways.

In this course, students will develop and expand their research and writing skills to communicate ideas in informed, ethical, and persuasive written documents intended for a range of audiences across a range of situations and contexts. Students will receive instruction and practice in synthesis and analysis, bolstering their written communication skills with a thorough understanding of academic research while honing critical thinking skills and effective work habits. Through writing well-structured, logical, and effective academic essays, students will explore tools and develop topics in a way that is meaningful to academic and professional lives. Prerequisite: Successful completion of ENG 121 or equivalent with a grade of “C-” or better.

This course is designed to aid students in understanding the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. Verbal and nonverbal communication patterns among people in personal, social, academic, and professional settings will be examined, within and between cultures, including both face-to-face and technologically mediated channels.  The nature of these interactions will be evaluated using contemporary communication theory. The course will enable students to identify their interpersonal communication skills and behaviors and to more critically evaluate their own oral communication and that of others. The primary goals of the course are to improve the quality of students’ communication in their personal and professional relationships, to enhance students’ experience and. confidence with oral communication, and increase awareness of the importance of interpersonal communication that is inclusive and equitable.

This course is a study of correct and incorrect reasoning involved in everyday activities. The fundamentals of language and argument, deductive and inductive reasoning and other aspects of practical reasoning are examined. 

In this course, students will explore how human beings create meaning through story, symbol, identity, and culture. The humanities offer powerful ways of knowing that illuminate the complexities of personal and professional life. Through modular, interdisciplinary approaches, learners will engage with timeless questions—about self, community, power, justice, and the future—while connecting them directly to their own field of study. Each week, students will choose a learning pathway tailored to a chosen major (Business Leadership, Criminal Justice, Education, Healthcare, Information Technology, Liberal Arts, or Social and Behavioral Sciences). This flexible design ensures that the course both deepens one’s perspective and stacks meaningfully with the learner’s broader academic and career goals. By the end, students will have described, analyzed, applied, synthesized, and created work that demonstrates how humanistic approaches enrich professional knowledge and practice.

This course introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of social sciences and some of the disciplines that comprise this field, including anthropology, psychology, economics, sociology, political science, and history. In this course, students will learn important social science concepts and theoretical approaches, along with the research methods that social scientists use to study human behavior. They will also learn how research and findings from the social sciences can be applied broadly throughout society. Throughout the course and through a summative assignment, students will examine how social factors shape social behavior and some of the consequences of current social problems.

This course serves as a general survey of U.S. government and political institutions within social, historical, and contemporary context. Students will discuss the basic principles of constitutional democracy within the United States with regard to founding documents, political institutions, the separation of powers, federalism, civil liberties, civil rights, and political participation. Students will also evaluate how the history of the United States shapes contemporary U.S. society and political debates.

This course explores the complex relationship between human societies and natural systems. Students will learn about ecology, natural resources, climate change, energy, sustainable technologies, and environmental justice while investigating sustainable challenges and solutions through an interdisciplinary lens.  Students will research and propose solutions to environmental challenges at both a local and global scale with a focus on applications across multiple economic sectors, careers, and geographic regions.

In this course, students will explore a wide range of Algebra topics. Topics will include study of linear equations, linear relationships, slope, polynomials, and functions, including graphing relations and solving systems of equations. Emphasis will be placed on developing an awareness of historical and current uses of algebra in real life settings, in various careers, and in solving important societal problems.

This course provides an introduction to the field of personal financial management and planning, focusing on the tools individuals and families employ to manage their financial affairs.

This course provides a foundational understanding of the central questions and primary methodologies used in macroeconomics. Students will explore the behavior and performance of an economy, focusing on key topics such as gross domestic product (GDP), national income, inflation, unemployment, and economic growth. The course examines how aggregate demand and aggregate supply interact within the economy and the role of fiscal and monetary policy in stabilizing economic fluctuations. Through the analysis of economic models and real-world data, students will gain insights into the determinants of economic output, the impacts of government policies, and the global economic environment. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the analytical tools necessary to understand and evaluate economic issues, policies, and trends on a macroeconomic scale. Recommended prerequisites: Fulfillment of the Interdisciplinary Critical Thinking requirement and Digital Fluency requirement.

ECO 204 is an introduction to the microeconomic principles of the market system and provides a general outline of the consumer and producer choice theories. The course also discusses other important microeconomic concepts like supply and demand, externality, elasticity, pricing and profitability. Other topics include various levels of firm and industry competition associated with different market structures. Recommended prerequisites: Fulfillment of the Interdisciplinary Critical Thinking, Quantitative Reasoning, and Digital Fluency requirements. (Equivalent to ECO 308).

In this course, students will examine some of the most recent and classical organizational ethics cases using the framework from managing business ethical procedures and practices. This course will provide a sound ethical decisions making guideline for students to use when making business ethical decisions and encourage ethical conduct and discourage unethical conduct in the workplace. Student will also explore how business ethics impact the global business environment and the current thinking on business –society and the business-environment relationships.

This course introduces the principles of financial accounting and reporting. Emphasis is placed on the accounting cycle and the application of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to evaluate and record business transactions. Students will learn to prepare financial statements and analyze financial information to support business decisions.

Students cannot take ACC 201 to meet the ACC 205 degree requirement without Dean/Program Chair Approval. Students in a version of the BA in Business Administration requiring ACC 205 can take ACC 201 to meet the ACC 205 requirement without Dean/Program Chair approval.

This course introduces managerial accounting concepts to support decision-making within organizations. Topics covered include cost behavior, cost allocation, and budgeting. Emphasis is placed on financial analysis, performance evaluation, and management reports. Prerequisites: ACC 205

Students cannot take ACC 202 to meet the ACC 206 degree requirement without Dean/Program Chair Approval. Students in a version of the BA in Business Administration requiring ACC 206 can take ACC 202 to meet the ACC 206 requirement without Dean/Program Chair approval.

This course introduces students to the essential role of spreadsheets and technology in the finance industry. Focusing on Excel, students will learn to execute organizational tasks, implement data analysis, conduct financial analysis using formulas and functions, and create charts from data. The course covers foundational finance concepts, enabling students to analyze financial statements, model financial scenarios, and visualize data effectively. Additionally, this course will cover technology tools that are useful for financial professionals. Through hands-on assignments and discussions, students will gain practical skills to enhance their financial decision-making and reporting capabilities. This course is ideal for beginners in finance, equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed for professional success.

This course presents an introduction to management theory and practice, including the inter-relatedness that the planning, organizing, leading, and controlling functions play in the multicultural, technology-driven, and global organizations of the 21st century. The emphasis is on the application of management theory to real-life situations in the workplace. Please note, students who have successfully completed BUS 201 prior to 5/27/2025 will be waived from MGT 330.

This course encompasses fundamental financial concepts and analysis. Students will learn to evaluate the financial performance of a company and analyze key financial ratios. The course will enable students to calculate the present and future value of assets using the concept of the time value of money. Additionally, the course will cover the value and risk of companies, the relationship between risk and return, and the meaning of the weighted average cost of capital. The course is designed to equip students with the technological and analytical tools they need to help businesses make sound financial decisions. Prerequisites: ACC 201 or ACC 205 or ACC 208 or ACC 281 and fulfillment of the Quantitative Reasoning requirement. (Equivalent to BUS 320.)

Introduction to the legal environment of business in the United States. Examination of the Constitution, administrative law, contracts, agency, and the protection of competition, consumers, employees, investors, the environment, and international trade.

This course is a conceptual introduction to the field of statistics and its many applications in descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and regression analysis for business administration students with an emphasis on Excel’s tools for statistical analysis. Prerequisite: Fulfillment of Quantitative Reasoning requirement.

This course will introduce students to the important principles of financial management of an entrepreneurial business and the ethical challenges of running a small business. The course will enable students to describe the key components and creation of a business plan. The course will cover financial statements and key financial ratios that guide business owners. Students will learn how to develop a financial forecast for a new business, including evaluating its financing needs and alternatives. Finally, the course will explore the importance of working capital management within the context of small business.

This course provides an introduction to the security investment process and portfolio management. It further examines individual financial instruments and investment strategies associated with various financial instruments. The study and analysis of securities and other forms of investments is a key part of this course. Emphasis is on investment principles from the manager’s point of view. Prerequisites: BUS 401.

This course provides a comprehensive examination of financial institutions and markets, focusing on the structure and function of money and capital markets, the determination of interest rates, and the role of key financial instruments such as bonds, equities, and derivatives. It analyzes the operations of various financial institutions, including the Federal Reserve System, and explores how monetary policy mechanisms influence financial markets and asset prices. The course emphasizes practical applications and critical analysis of real-world financial phenomena.  Prerequisite: ECO 100 or ECO 203. (Cross-listed as BUS 316.)

An examination of the international aspects of corporate finance and investing, the course covers balance of payments, foreign exchange with emphasis on exchange rate determination, exchange risk, hedging, and interest arbitrage, international money and capital markets, international financing, and international banking. 

This course provides a study of advanced corporate finance and selected topics in corporate financial planning and analysis (FP&A). Course content will include corporate FP&A information needs, corporate function, alignment with corporate strategy and goals, and key performance indicators (KPIs). Students analyze capital budgeting projects and effective working capital management strategies. Finally, students will implement discounted cash flow analysis and evaluate how this analysis can be applied in different settings. Prerequisite: BUS 401.

This capstone course will enable students to synthesize prior learning and develop an advanced understanding of key financial concepts and theories, and the firm as a mechanism to build shareholder wealth. Course content includes evaluating projects using capital budgeting techniques, analyzing a firm’s cost of capital, and assessing key components of dividend policy. Finally, in the summative assignment, students will implement capital budgeting techniques within the framework of corporate mergers and acquisitions. Prerequisite: FIN 480. This course must be taken last in the program. 

Elective requirements vary by program. Review the Program Requirements section for details about elective credits and degree completion requirements. Elective courses may also provide opportunities to pursue an Emphasis that complements your major and supports your academic or career goals.

Elective requirements vary by program. Review the Program Requirements section for details about elective credits and degree completion requirements. Elective courses may also provide opportunities to pursue an Emphasis that complements your major and supports your academic or career goals.