The B.B.A. in Finance program prepares graduates for entry-level positions in not just finance but also other business fields.

Graduates will possess a number of proficiencies including a strong technical knowledge of finance, the ability to critically analyze and solve problems associated with the financial operations of a firm, and experience preparing and presenting business reports through a monetary lens.

Georgia State’s undergraduate catalog lists the required coursework for the program as well as a suggested schedule of study.

This program is part of Robinson’s Department of Finance.

We also offer an honors track in finance that comprises 18 credit hours taken over the course of two semesters. The accelerated curriculum provides Robinson’s most accomplished undergraduate finance majors with a deeper understanding of the discipline, a distinguished skill set, and a strategic advantage throughout their careers.

The Department of Finance prides itself on innovation in the classroom. Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of co-curricular activities and classes to gain practical knowledge, develop networks, hone leadership skills and learn more about the real world.

Hands-on opportunities include:

Portfolio Management Practicum (FI 4210)

Students join a Portfolio Management Team, which manages a $500,000 stock portfolio donated by Bank of America. Team members meet weekly to make, buy and sell presentations, which the student analysts vote on for inclusion or exclusion from the fund.

Global Portfolio Management (FI 4240)

Students complete three Excel projects to stress the application of portfolio management theory to realistic investment decisions using real-world data. In these projects, students:

• Choose between different tax-sheltering investment vehicles by creating lifetime annual projected after-tax cash flow tables for a sample client with realistic assumptions regarding salary growth, progressive tax rates, investment returns and more.
• Create a four-stock efficient frontier and make an optimal risky portfolio recommendation for a sample client using actual historical data on four specific risky funds.
• Use real-world historical data to simulate risky portfolio returns using various simulation techniques and use the simulated return performance in conjunction with various risk measurements to choose among three dynamic investment strategies for a sample investor.

Field Studies in Finance (FI 4391)

This course consists of a supervised, business-site learning experience that provides students the opportunity to learn and apply finance skills in a professional setting. The field study is a great way for students to connect classroom learning to the real world.

Fundamentals of Valuation (FI 4000)

Students develop a spreadsheet as though they were analysts submitting a report to the company director or a client. They compile a dataset of the daily adjusted closing prices for various firms and, after performing calculations to back up their conclusion, select two stocks offering the greatest benefit in terms of diversification. Students also select two different stocks and plot their investment opportunity, among other Excel-driven processes.

Bloomberg Service Terminals

The Department of Finance provides four Bloomberg terminals for student use. Bloomberg is a specialized computer system utilized by professionals in business (primarily finance) and other industries to access, monitor and analyze real-time financial market data and place trades on its electronic trading platform. To demonstrate Bloomberg proficiency and differentiate themselves in the competitive job market, all of Robinson’s undergraduate finance majors complete the Bloomberg Essentials certification program. The department also connects students to potential employers by arranging for them to take the Bloomberg Aptitude Test.

Panthers on Wall Street

The Department of Finance actively supports this program, which culminates in a four-day trip to the biggest business hub in the world: Wall Street. Panthers on Wall Street allows students to communicate with high-ranking executives (some who are Robinson alumni) in top firms, experience what they are taught in the classroom in a real-world context, and learn how to conduct themselves in a professional environment.

Atlanta Hedge Fund Challenge

Each year the Department of Finance selects a team for the Atlanta Hedge Fund Challenge, a national business competition that challenges students from regional universities to generate and present their best idea for starting a hedge fund to a panel of real-life investment managers. Regional winners receive $10,000 scholarships.

Private Business Valuation Challenge

The Department of Finance hosts — and enters a team into — this national competition, which provides student teams the opportunity to assess the stand-alone value of an actual private company. Teams of three to five students analyze a professionally prepared business valuation case under the guidance of an industry mentor, and present their work to valuation professionals. Winners receive a cash prize.

CFA Institute Research Challenge

Each year, the Department of Finance sponsors a team to compete in the CFA Institute Research Challenge, a global competition that provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis. Students work in teams to research and analyze a publicly traded company — sometimes even meeting face-to-face with its management. Each team writes a research report on an assigned company with a buy, sell or hold recommendation and may be asked to present and defend their analysis to a panel of industry professionals. Robinson students first compete at the regional level against teams from Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama. Winners advance to national and global rounds.

Please note: while every section of the above courses might not include exactly the above projects, faculty incorporate real-world learning into the curriculum.