UMass Amherst Finance Major Requirements

The Finance major at the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst provides students with a comprehensive understanding of financial principles and practices, preparing them for a wide range of careers in the financial industry. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements:

Prerequisites

Before diving into upper-level Finance courses, you must complete several prerequisite courses with a minimum grade requirement (typically a C- or higher). These courses provide a foundational understanding of business concepts:

• Accounting 221 (Financial Accounting): This course covers the basics of financial accounting principles and the preparation of financial statements.
• Accounting 222 (Managerial Accounting): This course focuses on the use of accounting information for internal decision-making within an organization.
• Economics 103 (Introductory Microeconomics): This course introduces the principles of microeconomics, including supply and demand, market structures, and consumer behavior.
• Economics 104 (Introductory Macroeconomics): This course covers the principles of macroeconomics, including national income, inflation, unemployment, and monetary and fiscal policy.
• Math 127 or 132 (Calculus): A calculus course is required to develop quantitative skills necessary for financial analysis. Math 132 is generally recommended.
• Statistics 240 (Introductory Statistics): This course provides a foundation in statistical methods, including data analysis, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis.
• Management 200 (Foundations of Management): This introduces basic business principles and various management functions.

Core Finance Courses

The core Finance courses provide the fundamental knowledge and skills required for all Finance majors:

• Finance 301 (Corporate Finance): This course covers the core concepts of corporate finance, including capital budgeting, valuation, and financial analysis.
• Finance 304 (Investments): This course focuses on the analysis and management of investment portfolios, including stocks, bonds, and other asset classes.
• Finance 422 (Financial Modeling): This course focuses on practical application of finance concepts and building financial models using excel.

Required Upper-Level Finance Courses

Students must also select and complete additional upper-level finance courses to reach a certain minimum number of credit hours (usually 12 credits). Examples of upper-level finance courses include:

• Finance 402 (Derivatives): Introduces the use of financial derivatives and option pricings.
• Finance 406 (Fixed Income Securities): Explores different fixed income products and related risk analysis.
• Finance 444 (International Finance): A study of global finance and exchange rates.
• Finance 494AI (Real Estate Finance): Examines issues related to real estate investment and development.

Isenberg School of Management Requirements

In addition to the Finance major requirements, students must also fulfill the general requirements of the Isenberg School of Management. These requirements typically include courses in areas such as:

• Business Law
• Communication Skills
• Information Systems
• Operations Management

General Education Requirements

As part of their undergraduate education at UMass Amherst, students must also complete general education requirements, which are designed to provide a broad-based education across various disciplines. These requirements include courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

Important Notes

• Consult the official UMass Amherst Academic Catalog and the Isenberg School of Management website for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
• Course requirements and availability may change, so it is important to regularly check with your academic advisor.
• A minimum GPA, both overall and within the Finance major courses, is usually required for graduation.
• Consider meeting with an academic advisor early in your college career to discuss your academic goals and develop a plan for fulfilling all requirements.