What makes this program special?
The finance program at WCU offers two concentrations - Banking and Financial Planning. Students in the banking business track will learn how to manage a retail bank and will acquire the skills and knowledge needed to prepare them for careers working in and with retail banks in North Carolina and throughout the country. Either track will introduce students to sufficient finance theory and concepts to consider other careers in finance or to pursue graduate study.

Are there any additional admission requirements?  
To declare finance as a major, a student must maintain a 2.0 grade-point average for the first 30 hours of college credit. Students are strongly encouraged to declare finance as their major right away and start taking courses in the program since there are specific courses required as prerequisites and for graduation.

What scholarship monies are available?
All students are considered for merit-based scholarships at the time of admission. Additional scholarships are available based on FAFSA information. The finance program and College of Business have a number of scholarships that are either specific to finance and/or business majors. Scholarships range from $250 to $5,000.

What will I be able to do with this degree when I graduate?
Most every town has one or more banks. Graduates of the banking track are prepared to work in the retail banking industry as a bank manager, loan officer, personal banker, commercial accounts manager, or in other banking services.

What are the professors like?
Each of the full-time finance faculty members holds a doctoral degree. Adjunct faculty are hired based on professional certification (such as the CFP), business experience, and education. Faculty members know and interact with area banks and financial planning firms and businesses, and faculty members are active in academic and/or professional organizations.

What are the students in the program doing?
Students in the banking track must complete a required internship, usually during their last semester of enrollment. Service learning, wherein students work with area businesses and organizations, is an integral part of the program.

Will I be able to participate in internships, clubs and other extracurricular opportunities?
The Finance Club at WCU is very active. Students benefit from the opportunity to meet financial planning and banking executives, go on field trips, and do community service. An annual trip to New York City gives finance students an opportunity to visit the financial capital of the world as well as to enjoy sightseeing and other entertainment activities NYC has to offer. We manage a $300,000 investment portfolio for the Tennessee Valley Authority and participate annually in financial planning competitions, where WCU students have often placed nationally.

Contact

Dr. Roger Lirely
E-mail: lirely@email.wcu.edu
phone: 828-227-3491
Visit the Accounting, Finance and Economics website

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