Finance is the study of resource allocation, that is, the process, markets, institutions, and instruments that facilitate the transfer of money and wealth. The Finance major provides students with the theoretical framework and analytical tools and techniques to handle a variety of finance and business functions. The program is designed to prepare a student for financial positions with non-financial corporations, the financial services industry, energy companies, small businesses, and real estate firms.
Marketable Skills
- Critical thinking: Analyze and evaluate issues to solve problems and develop informed opinions.
- Global awareness: Understand and appreciate people, cultures, and ideas from around the world that impact our community.
- Leadership: Step up, think, and act critically and creatively to bring others together to accomplish a common task.
- Organization: Use resources effectively and efficiently to stay focused on different tasks.
- Problem-solving: Find solutions to difficult or complex issues.
- Time management: Prioritize goals and organize time to be more productive and efficient.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will assess an organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and will integrate these factors into a viable strategic plan.
- Students will analyze a firm’s financial and accounting information identifying firm strengths and weaknesses and will develop suitable strategies to improve corporate performance.
- Students will recognize, measure, and analyze market demand for a product or service and will integrate this analysis into an effective marketing strategy.
- Students will understand the role of financial markets and institutions in our economy and will integrate these monetary factors into an effective decision-making process.
- Students will employ production operation models to supply chain problems and will recommend the operating strategy that maximized shareholder value.
- Students will integrate decision processes and models from management, marketing, economics, finance, and accounting into the value creation process.
Fast Track
The Fast-Track Program enables outstanding undergraduate UTEP students to receive both undergraduate and graduate credit for up to 15 hours of UTEP course work as determined by participating Master's and Doctoral programs. Not all undergraduate programs have elected to participate in the Fast Track option, so students should see their departmental graduate advisor for information about requirements and guidelines. A list of courses that have been approved for possible use at the graduate level is found here.
Degree Plan
BBA in Finance with a Financial Analyst concentration
Required Credits: 120
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| |
| 42 |
| |
| |
| |
| ACCT 2301 | Principles of Accounting I C | 3 |
| ACCT 2302 | Principles of Accounting II C | 3 |
| ECON 2304 | Principles of Microeconomics C | 3 |
| QMB 2301 | Business Stats & Analytics I C | 3 |
| 3-4 |
| Calculus I C | |
| Math for Social Sciences II C | |
| Intro to AI for Business | |
| |
| |
| BLAW 3301 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
| BUSN 3304 | Global Business Environment | 3 |
| or BUSN 3305 | Global Busn Environ-Study Away |
| FIN 3310 | Business Finance C | 3 |
| MGMT 3303 | Intro-Mgmt/Organizational Beha | 3 |
| MGMT 4300 | Strategic Management | 3 |
| MKT 3300 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| QMB 3301 | Business Stats & Analytics II | 3 |
| OSCM 3321 | Production/Operations Mgmt | 3 |
| ISBA 3305 | Foundations of Info Sys & BA | 3 |
| |
| FIN 3315 | Investments C | 3 |
| FIN 4310 | Advanced Corporate Finance | 3 |
| FIN 4315 | Portfolio Analysis | 3 |
| FIN 4316 | Analysis of Derivatives | 3 |
| FIN 4318 | Fin Anal of Firm & Valuation | 3 |
| FIN 4325 | International Finance | 3 |
| ACCT 3321 | Intermediate Accounting I C | 3 |
| Business Internship | |
| Principles of Insurance | |
| Real Estate Finance & Investmt | |
| Money & Capital Markets | |
| Personal Financial Planning | |
| Bank Management | |
| Current Issues in Banking | |
| AI & ML Applications in Financ | |
| Portfolio Management Practicum | |
| Central Banking | |
| Bank Lending | |
| Internship in Finance | |
| Independent Study In Finance | |
| Current Topics in Finance | |
| 12 |
| Total Hours | 120-121 |
BBA in Finance with a Banking and Financial Institutions concentration
Required Credits: 120
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| |
| 42 |
| |
| |
| |
| ACCT 2301 | Principles of Accounting I C | 3 |
| ACCT 2302 | Principles of Accounting II C | 3 |
| ECON 2304 | Principles of Microeconomics C | 3 |
| QMB 2301 | Business Stats & Analytics I C | 3 |
| 3-4 |
| Calculus I C | |
| Math for Social Sciences II C | |
| Intro to AI for Business | |
| |
| |
| BLAW 3301 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
| BUSN 3304 | Global Business Environment | 3 |
| or BUSN 3305 | Global Busn Environ-Study Away |
| FIN 3310 | Business Finance | 3 |
| MGMT 3303 | Intro-Mgmt/Organizational Beha | 3 |
| MGMT 4300 | Strategic Management | 3 |
| MKT 3300 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| QMB 3301 | Business Stats & Analytics II | 3 |
| OSCM 3321 | Production/Operations Mgmt | 3 |
| ISBA 3305 | Foundations of Info Sys & BA | 3 |
| |
| FIN 3325 | Money & Capital Markets | 3 |
| FIN 4310 | Advanced Corporate Finance | 3 |
| FIN 4311 | Bank Management | 3 |
| FIN 4312 | Current Issues in Banking | 3 |
| FIN 4318 | Fin Anal of Firm & Valuation | 3 |
| FIN 4329 | Bank Lending | 3 |
| ECON 3320 | Money and Banking | 3 |
| Business Internship | |
| Principles of Insurance | |
| Portfolio Analysis | |
| Investments | |
| Real Estate Finance & Investmt | |
| Personal Financial Planning | |
| Analysis of Derivatives | |
| AI & ML Applications in Financ | |
| Portfolio Management Practicum | |
| Current Topics in Finance | |
| Internship in Finance | |
| Independent Study In Finance | |
| 12 |
| Total Hours | 120-121 |
BBA in Finance with a Concentration in Risk Management
The concentration in Risk Management within the BBA in Finance is built around the general concept of digital Integration. Digital integration applies the theory of Actuarial Science and Finance using common computer software (Excel, SAS, Eviews) with real world data, so that the students are prepared to perform on-the-job from day one. Academy Learning encourages students to interact, to improve their understanding of the material, and to model the personal interaction in the insurance industry. These concepts form the basis of the degree plan and model the skills used in the working environment of the business world.
Educational Objectives
- Students will be prepped to take and pass two of the required exams to become an actuary: the P (Probability) and F/M (Financial Mathematics) exam, administered by the SOA. Students will are strongly encouraged to take the F/M exam in the Spring of their sophomore year and the P exam in the Spring of their junior year. Specific prep classes are part of the degree plan. In addition, the students will be prepped to take the MLC (Models for Life Contingencies) exam based on the material covered, after graduation.
- Students will have strong skills applying common computer software that is widely used in the insurance industry. They will be able to build complex Excel spread sheets, write VBA Excel macros, create statistical and forecast models in SAS, manipulate and organize large datasets in SAS and Excel, and develop actuarial models based on the life market.
- Business and interpersonal skills will be developed based on the Academy Learning design, business workshops, and through written reports and presentations.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| |
| 42 |
| |
| |
| |
| ACCT 2301 | Principles of Accounting I C | 3 |
| ACCT 2302 | Principles of Accounting II C | 3 |
| ECON 2304 | Principles of Microeconomics C | 3 |
| MATH 1312 | Calculus II C | 3 |
| QMB 2301 | Business Stats & Analytics I C | 3 |
| |
| |
| BLAW 3301 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
| BUSN 3304 | Global Business Environment | 3 |
| or BUSN 3305 | Global Busn Environ-Study Away |
| FIN 3310 | Business Finance | 3 |
| MGMT 3303 | Intro-Mgmt/Organizational Beha | 3 |
| MGMT 4300 | Strategic Management | 3 |
| MKT 3300 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| QMB 3301 | Business Stats & Analytics II | 3 |
| OSCM 3321 | Production/Operations Mgmt | 3 |
| ISBA 3305 | Foundations of Info Sys & BA | 3 |
| FIN 3315 | Investments | 3 |
| FIN 3317 | Principles of Insurance | 3 |
| FIN 4310 | Advanced Corporate Finance | 3 |
| FIN 4315 | Portfolio Analysis | 3 |
| FIN 4316 | Analysis of Derivatives | 3 |
| FIN 4340 | Actuarial Finance | 3 |
| FIN 4341 | Actuarial Finance II | 3 |
| QMB 3350 | Business Analytics | 3 |
| QMB 3356 | Actuarial Quant Methods I | 3 |
| QMB 4356 | Actuarial Quant Methods II | 3 |
| MATH 2313 | Calculus III | 3 |
| 3 |
| Business Internship | |
| Personal Financial Planning | |
| Money & Capital Markets | |
| Bank Management | |
| AI & ML Applications in Financ | |
| Portfolio Management Practicum | |
| Internship in Finance | |
| Independent Study In Finance | |
| Current Topics in Finance | |
| Total Hours | 120 |
Although the UTEP choice is larger, these choices satisfy the requirements of both the core and the major.
All courses listed within this degree require a grade of C or better for successful completion.
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| Calculus I (Required for Risk Management Concentration) | |
| Math for Social Sciences I | |
| Precalculus | |
| |
| ECON 2303 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| Business/Profession Comm | |
| Math for Social Sciences I | |
| Ethics | |
University Core Curriculum (A program may recommend specific courses. All courses require a C or better.)
I. Communication (six hours)
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| 6 |
| |
| Writing About Literature | |
| Rhetoric & Composition I | |
| Rhetoric & Composition 2 | |
| |
| Expos Engl Compos-Spkr Esl | |
| Res & Crit Writng Spkr Esl | |
II. American History (six hours)
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| HIST 1301 | History of U.S. to 1865 | 3 |
| HIST 1302 | History of U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
III. Language, Philosophy & Culture (three hours)
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| 3 |
| Language in Culture & Society | |
| Intro-African Amer Studies | |
| Latina/o Presence in the U.S. | |
| English Literature | |
| English Literature | |
| Intro to American Poetry | |
| Language in Culture & Society | |
| Making of the "Other" Americas | |
| World History to 1500 | |
| World History Since 1500 | |
| Language in Culture & Society | |
| Introduction to Philosophy | |
| Ethics | |
| Introduct to Religious Studies | |
| Seeing & Naming: Conversations | |
| Introduction to Womens Studies | |
| Global Feminisms | |
IV. Mathematics (three hours)
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| 3 |
| College Algebra | |
| Trigonometry and Conics | |
| Math in the Modern World | |
| Math for Social Sciences I | |
| Calculus I | |
| Precalculus | |
| Math for Social Sciences II | |
| Statistical Literacy | |
| Elementary Statistical Methods | |
V. Life & Physical Sciences (six hours)
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| |
| Astronomy Lab I | |
| Elem Astronomy-Solar System | |
| Elem Astr Stars & Galaxies | |
| Introductory Biology Lab | |
| Human Biology Laboratory | |
| Topics in Study of Life I | |
| Organismal Biology Laboratory | |
| Introductory Biology | |
| Human Biology | |
| General Biology | |
| Organismal Biology | |
| Human Anat/Physio Lab I | |
| Human Anat/Physio Lab II | |
| Human Anat/Physiology I | |
| Human Anat/Physiology II | |
| Laboratory for CHEM 1305 | |
| Laboratory for CHEM 1306 | |
| Intro General Chemistry Lab | |
| Intro Organic & Biochem Lab | |
| General Chemistry | |
| General Chemistry | |
| Intro to General Chemistry | |
| Intro Organic & Biochemistry | |
| Environmental Sci. Lab | |
| Non-major Lab for ESCI 1301 | |
| Intro to Environmental Sci | |
| Laboratory for GEOG 1306 | |
| Physical Geography | |
| Lab for GEOL 1313 | |
| Lab for GEOL 1314 | |
| Principles of Earth Sci - Lab | |
| Laboratory for Geology 1212 | |
| Principles of Earth Sciences | |
| Principles of Earth Science | |
| Natural Hazards | |
| Intro to Physical Geology | |
| Intro to Historical Geol | |
| Fundamentals of Nutrition | |
| Wellness Dynamics | |
| Microorganisms and Disease | |
| General Physics I | |
| General Physics II | |
| Laboratory for PHYS 2320 | |
| Laboratory for PHYS 2321 | |
| Introductory Mechanics | |
| Introductory Electromagnetism | |
VI. Political Science (six hours)
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| |
| POLS 2310 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| POLS 2311 | American Gover & Politics | 3 |
VII. Social & Behavioral Sciences (three hours)
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| 3 |
| Origins of Humanity | |
| World Cultures | |
| Cultural Geography | |
| Introduction to Human Language | |
| Asian American Studies | |
| Econ for Engrs & Scientists | |
| Intro to Chicano Studies | |
| Interpersonal Communication | |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | |
| Principles of Microeconomics | |
| Introduction to Human Language | |
| Cultural Geography | |
| Leadership in Action | |
| Introduction to Human Language | |
| Introduction to Psychology | |
| American Society | |
| Cultural Geography | |
VIII. Creative Arts
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| 3 |
| Art Appreciation | |
| History of Art I | |
| History of Art II | |
| Chicana/o Fine Arts Appreciat | |
| Writing in the Contemp World | |
| Introduction to Dance | |
| Intro-Art of Motion Pict. | |
| Music Appreciation | |
| Jazz to Rock | |
| Music, Culture, and Society | |
| Introduction to Theatre | |
IX. Component Area Option (six hours)
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| Science and Society | |
| Human Variation | |
| Intro to Indigenous Studies | |
| Intro to Global Business | |
| Public Speaking | |
| Business/Profession Comm | |
| Intro-Computational Thinking | |
| Computer Programming Sci/Engr | |
| Intro to Physical Computing | |
| Eng Innovation and Leadership | |
| Engineering Design Experience | |
| Applied Engineering Analysis | |
| Physcl Actvty for Hth & Well | |
| Introduction to Leadership | |
| Intro to Indigenous Studies | |
| Inquiry in Math & Science | |
| Science and Society | |
| Intro to Indigenous Studies | |
| Comm. Var. Across the Lifespan | |
| Seminar/Critical Inquiry | |