The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Finance program develops the analytical and behavioral skills necessary for success in dynamic and diverse domestic and global financial environments. The goal of the finance program is to impart knowledge and competence in finance that will prepare students for entry-level and leadership positions in financial management, banking, investments, and real estate. Students have the opportunity to pursue one of three concentrations: Financial Analysis and Management, Financial Services or Real Estate Finance.
- Students in the Financial Analysis and Management concentration are introduced to the theory, concepts, applications, institutional environment, and analytical tools essential for proper decision making. Courses are designed to provide students with an understanding of the relationships between business finance and the economic system in the context of the management decision-making process.
- Students in the Financial Services concentration are introduced to the comprehensive scope of the financial planning profession. Topics covered include: risk management, tax planning, investments, estate planning, and retirement planning. The concentration is designed to provide the educational outcomes required by the Certified Financial Planner TM (CFP) Board.
- Students in the Real Estate Finance concentration are introduced to theory, concepts, market participants, relevant institutions, and analytical tools & techniques required to be successful in real property markets. The curriculum is designed to provide students with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by the world's largest asset class, Real Estate.
Concentrations
• Financial Analysis and Management Concentration
• Financial Services Concentration
• Real Estate Finance Concentration
Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
Degree-seeking students are classified as pre-majors prior to formal transition into a Lutgert College of Business (LCOB) major. As pre-majors, students may enroll in lower division (1000-2999 level) courses to satisfy general education and common prerequisite requirements; lower level electives; and business common core courses, except GEB 4890 Business Strategy, if course prerequisites are met. Pre-majors may not enroll in upper division (3000-4999 level) courses for the major.
Transition from a LCOB pre-major to a major happens following (a) completion of all common prerequisites with a minimum grade of C or higher in each course; and (b) completion of 50 earned credits with a minimum FGCU GPA of 2.0.
For timely degree completion, FTIC (First Time in College) students are expected to complete the following:
- MAC 1105 College Algebra with minimum grade of B (or relevant accelerated credit or placement exam), ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics or ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics with minimum grade of C, one additional common prerequisite, and an overall 2.4 FGCU GPA within one calendar year from admission
- Four common prerequisites by the end of the third semester (excluding summer) from admission
- Seven common prerequisites and an overall 2.7 FGCU GPA by the end of the fourth semester (excluding summer) from admission
- FIN 3403 Business Finance with minimum grade of B by the end of the fifth semester (excluding summer) from admission
- FIN 3504 Principles of Investments with minimum grade of C by the end of the sixth semester (including summer) from admission
For timely degree completion, transfer students are expected to complete the following:
- Seven common prerequisites and an overall 2.7 FGCU GPA by the end of the third semester (excluding summer) from admission
- FIN 3403 Business Finance with minimum grade of B by the end of the fifth semester (excluding summer) from admission
- FIN 3504 Principles of Investments with minimum grade of C by the end of the sixth semester (excluding summer) from admission
Students should refer to the Degree Map for milestone information. Degree maps for each major can be found at https://www.fgcu.edu/cob/.
In addition to the program requirements, students must:
- Attempt ACG 2021 Intro. to Financial Acctg. no more than two times.
- Earn a grade of B or higher in FIN 3403 Business Finance, which can be attempted no more than two times.
- Earn a grade of C or higher in the common prerequisites, business common core, required courses in the major, and restricted electives/concentration.
- Complete a minimum of 42 of the 120 credits, at the upper division (3000-4999 level).
- Complete the last 30 credits of business courses at FGCU.
- Complete a minimum of 12 credits among required courses in the major, concentration and restricted electives at FGCU.
- Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
- Satisfy the College-Level Skills and foreign language entrance requirements.
- Satisfy the Service-Learning requirement.
- Satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement.
- Complete the standardized business knowledge assessment exam administered during the last semester in GEB 4890 Business Strategy.
- Complete the summer course enrollment requirement.
- Submit an Application for Graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
Program Requirements
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| |
| |
| |
| ACG 2021 | Intro. to Financial Acctg. (Acceptable Substitute: ACGX021) | 3 |
| ACG 2071 | Intro. to Managerial Acctg. (Acceptable Substitute: ACGX071) | 3 |
| CGS 1100 | Computer Software & Technology (Acceptable Substitute: CGSX100 or CGSX100C) | 3 |
| ECO 2013 | Principles of Macroeconomics (Acceptable Substitute: ECOX013) | 3 |
| ECO 2023 | Principles of Microeconomics (Acceptable Substitute: ECOX023) | 3 |
| MAC 2233 | Elementary Calculus I (Acceptable Substitute: MACX233) *, 1 | 3 |
| STA 2023 | Statistical Methods (Acceptable Substitute: STAX023) | 3 |
| BUL 3130 | Legal & Ethical Enviro of Bus | 3 |
| FIN 3403 | Business Finance (Minimum grade of B) | 3 |
| GEB 3085 | Professional Development | 3 |
| GEB 4890 | Business Strategy (capstone) | 3 |
| ISM 3011 | Information Systems | 3 |
| ISM 3421 | AI in Business | 3 |
| MAN 3025 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| MAR 3023 | Introduction to Marketing | 3 |
| SCM 3005 | Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| FIN 3504 | Principles of Investments | 3 |
| |
| |
| |
| FIN 3244 | Money & Capital Markets | 3 |
| FIN 3414 | Financial Management | 3 |
| FIN 4514 | Security Analysis | 3 |
| FIN 4443 | Financial Policy/Sr. Seminar | 3 |
| REE 4204 | Real Estate Finance | 3 |
| |
| ECO 3410 | Econometrics I | 3 |
| QMB 3302 | Business Analytics | 3 |
| FIN 3144 | Personal Financial Planning | 3 |
| FIN 4132 | Estate Planning | 3 |
| FIN 4128 | Financial Plan Development | 3 |
| RMI 3011 | Risk Management & Insurance | 3 |
| RMI 4135 | Retirement Planning | 3 |
| TAX 3721 | Tax Planning | 3 |
| REE 3043 | Real Estate Fundamentals | 3 |
| REE 3103 | Valuation of Real Property | 3 |
| REE 3303 | Real Estate Inv Decision Mking | 3 |
| REE 3433 | Real Estate Law | 3 |
| REE 4204 | Real Estate Finance | 3 |
| REE 4931 | Real Estate Senior Seminar | 3 |
| |
| |
Total Credits Required: 120
Business Administration (M.B.A.) Combined Program
This combined program provides academically talented students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in less time than would normally be required. A student enrolled in the combined program will earn the bachelor’s degree upon completion of the undergraduate program and the master’s degree upon completion of the graduate program.
Combined Program Admission Requirements
- Junior standing or upper-division honors student
- Has earned an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or better with a 3.5 GPA in Lutgert College of Business (LCOB) coursework
- Has completed 75 semester hours with at least 15 semester hours of LCOB coursework completed
- Has earned a B or better in FIN 3403 Business Finance
- Transfer students must have completed a minimum of one semester (15 credit hours) at FGCU
- Has completed at least 50% of required service learning hours
- Carries a course load of no more than 15 semester hours when enrolled in a graduate course
Candidates for the combined program will apply during their junior year to the LCOB Graduate Programs Coordinator. A committee of Economics and Finance graduate faculty will review combined program applications. The LCOB graduate Programs Coordinator is responsible for communicating with the student regarding the committee’s decision.
Combined Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
- The B.S. Finance program is 120 credits
- The M.B.A. program is 33 credits
- Nine credit hours will be double-counted for both the undergraduate and graduate programs and will replace free electives within the undergraduate major
- Total number of credits for the combined program is 144 credits
- A minimum grade of B is required for each graduate course taken while enrolled in the B.S. Finance program.
- The student will take 9 graduate credits from the following list of approved courses with prior approval of LCOB Graduate Programs Coordinator:
To ensure students remain on track to earn their B.S. Finance in four years or less, students accepted into the combined program will meet with the LCOB Graduate Programs Coordinator each semester to review their progress and plan their course schedule. The LCOB Graduate Programs Coordinator arranges for students who are making appropriate progress to register in the approved graduate courses. Students will remain classified as Undergraduates until the bachelor's degree is awarded. Graduate courses will be applied to the undergraduate degree requirements.
Students who begin the combined program as undergraduates, but either opt not to enter the master's program or do not receive a B or higher in each of the graduate courses taken as undergraduates, can still earn the B.S. Finance at the end of their senior year, if they have completed the 120 credits required for undergraduate degree and satisfied all other degree requirements.
Business Analytics (M.B.A.) Combined Program
The purpose of the combined B.S. Finance and M.B.A. Business Analytics programs is to encourage talented students to pursue graduate work, complete their M.B.A. at FGCU, and to complete their B.S. Finance in a timely manner. The combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program will allow talented students in the LCOB to complete a bachelor's and a master's degree in a shorter time span by allowing students to complete 9 graduate hours while pursuing their undergraduate degree. Students in the combined degree program will be able to complete the master's degree as a full-time student during the summer, fall and spring after matriculation.
Combined Program Admission Requirements
- Junior standing or upper-division honors student
- Has earned an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or better with a 3.5 GPA in LCOB coursework
- Has completed 75 semester hours with at least 15 semester hours of LCOB coursework completed
- Has earned a B or better in FIN 3403 Business Finance
- Transfer students must have completed a minimum of one semester (15 credit hours) at FGCU
- Has completed at least 50% of required service learning hours and,
- Carries a course load of no more than 15 semester hours when enrolled in a graduate course
Candidates for the combined program will apply during their junior year to the LCOB Graduate Programs Coordinator(s). A committee of graduate faculty will review combined program applications. The LCOB Graduate Programs Coordinator is responsible for communicating with the student regarding the committee’s decision.
Combined Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
- The B.S. Finance requires 120 credits
- The M.B.A. Business Analytics program is 36 credits
- Nine credit hours will be double-counted for both the undergraduate and graduate programs and will replace free electives within the undergraduate major
- Total number of credits for the combined program is 147 credits
- A minimum grade of B is required for each graduate course taken while enrolled in the BS in Finance
- The student will take 9 graduate credits from the following list of approved courses with prior approval of LCOB Graduate Programs Coordinator:
To ensure students remain on track to earn their B.S. Finance in a timely manner, students accepted into the combined program will meet with the LCOB Graduate Programs Coordinator each semester to review their progress and plan their course schedule. The LCOB Graduate Programs Coordinator arranges for students who are making appropriate progress to register in the approved graduate courses. Students will remain classified as undergraduates until the bachelor's degree is awarded. Graduate courses will be applied to the undergraduate degree requirements as free electives.
Each student is responsible for completing application materials for the M.B.A. Business Analytics within one semester of graduation from the B.S. program to ensure continuous enrollment under the current catalog. Students who do not complete the application to the M.B.A. Business Analytics program within one semester of graduation from the B.S. program will be dropped from the combined B.S./M.B.A. program. Students will be accepted into the M.B.A. Business Analytics program if they have fulfilled all of the requirements for admission. Upon acceptance into the graduate program, students will be classified as Graduate Students. Students will complete an additional 27 graduate credits to satisfy the M.B.A. Business Analytics as outlined in the catalog. Graduate credits taken while an undergraduate will be counted to reach the 36 required credits for the M.B.A.
Students who begin the combined program as undergraduates, but either opt not to enter the master's program or do not receive a B or higher in each of the graduate courses taken as undergraduates, can still earn the B.S. Finance at the end of their senior year, if they have completed the 120 credits required for undergraduate degree and satisfied all other degree requirements.
Data Analytics and AI (M.S.) Combined Program
The purpose of the combined B.S. Finance and M.S. Data Analytics and AI program is to encourage talented students to pursue graduate work, complete their M.S. Data Analytics and AI at FGCU, and to complete their B.S. Finance in four years or less. The combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program will allow talented students in the LCOB to complete a bachelor's and a master's degree in a shorter time span by allowing students to complete 9 graduate hours while pursuing their undergraduate degree. Students in the combined degree program will be able to complete the master's degree as a full-time student during the summer, fall and spring after matriculation.
Combined Program Admission Requirements
- Junior standing or upper-division honors student
- Has earned an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or better with a 3.5 GPA in LCOB coursework
- Has completed 75 semester hours with at least 15 semester hours of LCOB coursework completed
- Has earned a B or better in FIN 3403 Business Finance
- Transfer students must have completed a minimum of one semester (15 credit hours) at FGCU
- Has completed at least 50% of required service learning hours and,
- Carries a course load of no more than 15 semester hours when enrolled in a graduate course
Candidates for the combined program will apply during their junior year to the LCOB Graduate Programs Coordinator(s). A committee of graduate faculty will review combined program applications. The LCOB Graduate Programs Coordinator is responsible for communicating with the student regarding the committee’s decision.
Combined Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
- The B.S. Finance program is 120 credits
- The M.S. Data Analytics and AI program is 30 credits
- Nine credit hours will be double-counted for both the undergraduate and graduate programs and will replace free electives within the undergraduate major
- Total number of credits for the combined program is 141 credits
- A minimum grade of B is required for each graduate course taken while enrolled in the B.S. Finance program.
- The student will take 9 graduate credits from the following list of approved courses with prior approval of LCOB Graduate Programs Coordinator:
To ensure students remain on track to earn their B.S. in Finance in four years or less, students accepted into the combined program will meet with the LCOB Graduate Programs Coordinator each semester to review their progress and plan their course schedule. The LCOB Graduate Programs Coordinator arranges for students who are making appropriate progress to register in the approved graduate courses. Students will remain classified as Undergraduates until the bachelor's degree is awarded. Graduate courses will be applied to the undergraduate degree requirements.
Each student is responsible for completing application materials for the M.S. Data Analytics and AI within one semester of graduation from the B.S. program to ensure continuous enrollment under the current catalog. Students who do not successfully complete the application to the M.S. Data Analytics and AI program within one semester of graduation from the B.S. program will be dropped from the combined B.S./M.S. program. Students will be accepted into the M.S. Data Analytics and AI program if they have fulfilled all of the requirements for admission. Upon acceptance into the graduate program, students will be classified as graduate students. Students will complete an additional 21 graduate credits to satisfy the M.S. Data Analytics and AI as outlined in the catalog. Graduate credits taken while an undergraduate will be counted to reach the 30 required credits for the M.S. Data Analytics and AI.
Students who begin the combined program as undergraduates, but either opt not to enter the master's program or do not receive a B or higher in each of the graduate courses taken as undergraduates, can still earn the B.S. Finance at the end of their senior year, if they have completed the 120 credits required for undergraduate degree and satisfied all other degree requirements.
