Finance and Commercial Law

Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance

 

Earning a B.B.A. in finance from WMU Haworth means developing the analytical, problem-solving and technology skills that the finance and investment industry demands—across corporate finance, banking, investment management and international finance. 

The program is part of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program, a distinction that signals to employers the rigor and relevance of WMU's finance curriculum. Bloomberg Certification is a required component of the degree, and you’ll have the opportunity to manage real assets through WMU's Student Managed Investment Fund. Also 95% of finance graduates working full time are satisfied with their job, proving that this is a degree that prepares you well and leads somewhere worth going. 

Statistics

96%

of finance graduates are working or continuing their education quickly after earning their degree

—2024-25 Career Outcomes Report
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97%

of finance graduates participated in Experience-Driven Learning

—2024-25 Career Outcomes Report
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95%

of finance graduates working full time are satisfied with their job

—2024-25 Career Outcomes Report
Explore the data

Pursue a B.B.A. in finance

WMU Haworth's finance program gives you a broad foundation in financial decision making, covering corporate finance, banking services, investment and portfolio management, risk management and international finance. The program's affiliation with the CFA Institute means the curriculum reflects the standards of one of the most respected credentialing bodies in the global finance industry. Bloomberg Certification is also built into the program as a required component. By the time you complete your degree, you will have credentials that are recognized by employers worldwide. 

You can also gain hands-on investment experience through WMU's Student Managed Investment Fund, managing a real portfolio of $4 million in the Greenleaf Trust Trading Room under the guidance of an experienced money manager. Opportunities for finance-focused study abroad courses round out the global dimension of the program, giving you firsthand experiences at global companies. 

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What you’ll learn

The finance curriculum at WMU Haworth covers financial principles and their real-world application across corporate finance, banking, investment analysis, portfolio management and risk management. You’ll develop strong analytical and quantitative skills through case studies, experiential learning and hands-on work in the Greenleaf Trust Trading Room, building the technical fluency that finance employers look for in early-career candidates.

Bloomberg Certification is a required component of the degree, and you can pursue additional credentials including CFA exam preparation through the program's CFA Institute affiliation. Internship and study abroad opportunities add professional depth and global perspective to an already rigorous academic foundation. 

Browse finance coursework

Quote

As I work toward a career in private equity, I am actively building both my technical skills and industry experience. I recently began a private equity internship with Sleeping Giant Capital and have started certified coursework with Wall Street Prep there. Additionally, I am completing the Bloomberg Market Concepts certification and am preparing for the Certified Financial Advisor Level 1 Exam.
— Michael Harmon, finance major

Where you’ll be after graduation

Finance graduates from WMU Haworth go on to careers as analysts, financial solutions specialists, portfolio and trust administrators, tax coordinators, trust operations specialists and wealth management specialists. Recent graduates have been hired by leading employers including Comerica Bank, Eaton, Greenleaf Trust, JP Morgan Chase, Plante Moran and PNC. 

WMU Haworth’s Zhang Career Center connects finance students with internship opportunities, career coaching and employer recruiting events tailored to finance. With 96% of finance graduates working or continuing their education quickly after earning their degree, this degree will help you move quickly and confidently into your career. 

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What others have achieved

What others have achieved

WMU finance students and graduates are already making their mark—here's a look at their experiences.

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WMU Haworth celebrates 2026 Presidential Scholars

Headshot of Michael Harmon in a blue suit with a red tie on a grey background

Preparing for private equity success at WMU Haworth

Making the most of your learning experience

As a WMU Haworth finance student, the Greenleaf Trust Trading Room gives you access to a professional investment environment, and WMU's Student Managed Investment Fund puts you in charge of managing $4 million in real assets under the direction of an experienced money manager—a level of hands-on investment experience that is genuinely rare at the undergraduate level. 

Bloomberg Certification, required for all finance graduates, ensures you leave with a globally recognized credential in addition to your degree. The Zhang Career Center connects finance students with internship placements, employer recruiting events and career coaching relevant to corporate finance, banking, investment management and beyond. Academic advising is available throughout the program to help you plan coursework, pursue certifications and take full advantage of what WMU Haworth has to offer. 

Learn more about Experience-Driven Learning
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What scholarships are available for a finance degree?

WMU Haworth offers a range of scholarships for finance students, awarded based on academic merit and financial need. Admitted students can explore and apply for scholarships, including department-specific and college-wide awards through WMU's Scholarship Universe matching tool. Paying for your education shouldn't be a barrier, and WMU's financial aid team is here to help you find every resource available.

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Frequently asked questions

Earning a B.B.A. in finance from WMU Haworth prepares you for careers across corporate finance, banking, investment management, risk management and financial analysis. You'll graduate with strong analytical skills, Bloomberg Certification and the CFA Institute-aligned coursework that employers in financial services actively look for. Recent graduates have landed roles at Comerica Bank, Eaton, Greenleaf Trust, JP Morgan Chase, Plante Moran and PNC.

WMU Haworth's finance program is part of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program, which means the curriculum is aligned with the standards of one of the most respected credentialing bodies in global finance. For students, that means your coursework is directly relevant to CFA exam preparation, and employers familiar with the CFA designation will recognize the rigor of WMU’s program. It's a meaningful differentiator in a competitive job market.

Yes, Bloomberg Certification is a required component of the B.B.A. in finance at WMU Haworth. That means you will leave with a credential that is recognized by employers. You'll develop proficiency in Bloomberg's professional tools as part of your degree, giving you practical market fluency before you enter the workforce.

Both degrees are offered through WMU Haworth's Department of Finance and Commercial Law, but they serve different career paths. The B.B.A. in finance is broader in scope, covering corporate finance, banking, investment analysis, portfolio management, risk management and international finance—with a focus on organizational and market-level financial decisions. The B.B.A. in personal financial planning is centered on working directly with individual clients to manage their personal wealth, retirement, insurance and estate planning. If you're drawn to markets and corporate environments, finance is the stronger fit.

Yes, as a finance student at WMU Haworth you’ll have the opportunity to manage real assets through WMU's Student Managed Investment Fund, which oversees a portfolio of $4 million in the Greenleaf Trust Trading Room under the guidance of an experienced money manager. That kind of real-stakes investment experience is uncommon at the undergraduate level and gives you a meaningful edge over your peers at other schools. Beyond experiences in the trading room, 97% of finance graduates participated in Experience-Driven Learning throughout their degree.

Yes! Finance students are eligible for scholarships through WMU Haworth's Department of Finance and Commercial Law based on academic performance and financial need. 

Learn more about department scholarships and Haworth College of Business scholarships.

Once you're admitted, you can search and apply for available awards, including department-specific scholarships, through WMU's Scholarship Universe tool. You'll just need your WMU ID to log in.