Ithaca College Finance Minor: A Powerful Complement

The Finance Minor at Ithaca College offers students across various disciplines the opportunity to gain a solid understanding of financial principles and practices. Designed to complement any major, the minor equips students with valuable skills applicable to a wide range of careers, enhancing their marketability and long-term financial literacy.

Curriculum Overview

The minor typically requires the completion of six courses, totaling 18 credit hours. The foundational course, usually an introductory finance or business course, provides an overview of core concepts like financial accounting, investment analysis, and corporate finance. Students then delve into specialized areas through elective courses.

Elective course options often include topics such as:

• Investments: Covering securities analysis, portfolio management, and market dynamics.
• Corporate Finance: Exploring financial decision-making within organizations, including capital budgeting, working capital management, and valuation.
• Financial Modeling: Focusing on building and analyzing financial models using spreadsheets and other software tools.
• International Finance: Examining the complexities of global financial markets and cross-border transactions.
• Real Estate Finance: Exploring the financial aspects of real estate investment and development.

Benefits of the Finance Minor

The Finance Minor provides several significant advantages:

• Enhanced Career Prospects: Regardless of your major, understanding finance is valuable. Whether you're in marketing, communication, or the sciences, the minor provides a competitive edge, demonstrating analytical skills and financial acumen highly sought after by employers.
• Improved Financial Literacy: The program empowers students to make informed decisions about personal finance, investments, and long-term financial planning.
• Broadened Skill Set: The curriculum develops critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical abilities, valuable assets in any professional setting.
• Networking Opportunities: Through course projects and faculty interaction, students may have opportunities to connect with professionals in the finance industry.
• Strong Foundation for Further Study: The minor provides a solid foundation for students considering pursuing an MBA or other advanced degrees in finance-related fields.

Who Should Consider This Minor?

The Finance Minor is particularly beneficial for students majoring in:

• Business-related Fields: Complements majors like Marketing, Management, and International Business.
• Communication: Provides financial context for roles in public relations, advertising, and journalism.
• Liberal Arts: Enhances critical thinking and analytical skills applicable to law, economics, and political science.
• Sciences: Supports career paths in pharmaceutical sales, research administration, and biotechnology management.

Ultimately, the Finance Minor at Ithaca College provides a versatile and valuable addition to any academic program, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the financial landscape and succeed in their chosen careers.