Finance - Associate Degree of Applied Science

Today's banking, consumer credit, and commercial credit industries offer outstanding career opportunities for community college graduates. The Associate Degree program in Finance gives students the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in entry-level and management training positions. These may be in finance departments of corporations, government agencies, and departments of banks, savings and loans, mortgage and insurance companies. Examples of these positions include loan processor, loan officer, mortgage banking trainee, credit analyst, insurance analyst, financial planner, collections manager, stockbroker trainee, and financial analyst.

Upon completion of the Associate Degree in Finance, the graduate will be able to:
• Explain the key concepts of financial transactions in the macro-economy.
• Explain operational methods of various financial institutions.
• Demonstrate an understanding of both commercial and consumer credit; plan credit investigations, analyze credit reports, make credit granting decisions, implement a general collection system, demonstrate an understanding of credit laws, and measure the efficiency of a credit department.
• Understand stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, insurance, and annuities and the interrelationship between them and their appropriate application.
• Analyze stocks, bonds, and mutual funds and the interrelationship between them. Explain the use of mutual funds to achieve diversification.
• Use spreadsheet software, financial calculators and the Internet to research and analyze financial topics.
• Apply capital budgeting techniques for valuing business investments.
• Write financial plans for business entities and individuals.
• Demonstrate the ability to use business periodicals, the Internet, value line, mutual fund prospectuses, and stockholders’ reports to produce analytical and descriptive research relevant to current financial markets.

Traditional Classes and Distance Learning Choices at Columbus State

The Finance Program is proud to offer traditional and distance learning (DL) options for our students. The traditional class room experience continues to provide students with high quality instruction in a small classroom setting at the Downtown Campus and off-campus locations. Finance also offers distance learning courses that provide the same high quality learning as traditional instruction, yet with the flexibility of being able to complete your course work online or through video based instruction.

Finance Associate Degree