Pitt Finance Major Requirements

A finance major at the University of Pittsburgh provides a comprehensive foundation for careers in corporate finance, investment management, and financial institutions. The program, housed within the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business and the College of Business Administration (CBA), equips students with the analytical and problem-solving skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the financial world.

Core Requirements: All finance majors must complete a set of core business courses designed to provide a broad understanding of business principles. These courses typically include:

• Financial Accounting: Covering the principles and practices of financial reporting.
• Managerial Accounting: Focusing on the use of accounting information for internal decision-making.
• Statistics for Business and Economics: Providing the statistical tools necessary for analyzing data.
• Microeconomics: Exploring the fundamentals of individual and firm behavior in markets.
• Macroeconomics: Examining the overall economy, including inflation, unemployment, and economic growth.
• Business Information Systems: Covering the application of technology in business.
• Marketing Management: Introducing the principles of marketing and customer behavior.
• Operations Management: Focusing on the efficient management of production processes.
• Organizational Behavior: Exploring the dynamics of individuals and groups in organizations.
• Strategic Management: Examining the process of developing and implementing business strategies.

Finance Major Courses: In addition to the core business courses, finance majors take a series of specialized finance courses, including:

• Corporate Finance: Exploring financial decision-making within corporations, including capital budgeting, financing, and dividend policy.
• Investments: Covering the principles of investment analysis, portfolio management, and asset valuation.
• Financial Institutions: Examining the structure and operations of banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions.

Advanced Finance Electives: Finance majors have the opportunity to further specialize their knowledge by choosing from a range of advanced finance electives. These electives can include:

• Derivatives: Exploring the use of options, futures, and other derivative instruments.
• International Finance: Examining the financial issues faced by multinational corporations.
• Fixed Income Securities: Covering the analysis and valuation of bonds and other fixed income instruments.
• Real Estate Finance: Focusing on the financing of real estate investments.
• Financial Modeling: Developing skills in building financial models for forecasting and decision-making.
• Advanced Corporate Finance: Delving deeper into complex corporate finance topics.

Other Requirements: In addition to the coursework outlined above, students must maintain a minimum GPA to remain in good standing within the CBA. They also need to fulfill university-wide requirements related to general education and writing. The specific GPA requirements and general education requirements are subject to change, so consulting the official University of Pittsburgh academic catalog and the CBA advising office is crucial.

Experiential Learning: The University of Pittsburgh encourages students to gain practical experience through internships, co-ops, and other experiential learning opportunities. These experiences provide valuable real-world skills and enhance career prospects. Students often participate in case competitions, student-managed investment funds, and other extracurricular activities that complement their coursework.

Students are strongly encouraged to consult with academic advisors in the College of Business Administration (CBA) to ensure they are meeting all degree requirements and to plan their course selection effectively. The advisors can provide personalized guidance on career paths and help students tailor their academic experience to their individual goals.