Central Washington University

What you'll study

The programme blends foundational business courses with a focused sequence in finance and financial management services. Early semesters cover core subjects such as microeconomics, macroeconomics, financial accounting, managerial accounting, business law and statistics. Major-level coursework builds on these foundations and typically includes corporate finance, investments, financial markets and institutions, risk and insurance, personal financial planning, and financial statement analysis.

• Quantitative and analytical skills: courses in business statistics, quantitative methods and spreadsheet modelling to support valuation and forecasting.
• Core finance topics: corporate finance, capital budgeting, working capital management, international finance and derivative securities.
• Financial services emphasis: modules on banking, insurance, financial planning, taxation fundamentals and ethics in financial decision-making.
• Practical/experiential learning: opportunities for internships, practicum projects with local firms, case studies and a capstone or senior seminar integrating finance theory with real-world problems.
• Electives and specialisation: electives allow deeper focus in areas such as investments, wealth management, risk management or entrepreneurial finance.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a secondary school leaving qualification equivalent to a US high school diploma. Typical successful candidates have a solid record in mathematics and quantitative subjects. Admissions consider overall academic record and the strength of the applicant's preparation for university-level business study.

• Standard entry: satisfactory high school grades with coursework in algebra or pre-calculus recommended.
• Transfer students: college transcripts demonstrating successful completion of introductory business, economics or mathematics courses.
• International applicants: proof of English proficiency through recognised tests or equivalent qualifications, together with documentation of secondary education.
• Other materials: personal statement and, where requested, letters of recommendation can support an application; specific requirements may vary by applicant type.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a broad range of roles across financial services and corporate finance. Common early-career positions include financial analyst, junior investment analyst, commercial banking associate, financial planner or advisor, insurance underwriter or risk analyst. The degree also supports careers in corporate treasury, credit analysis, compliance and operations within financial institutions.

Many alumni progress to specialist roles (for example, portfolio manager or corporate finance manager), professional certifications (such as CFA, CFP or other industry credentials), or postgraduate study (MBA, MS in Finance or law). The combination of analytical training and applied experience makes graduates attractive to regional employers in banking, investment firms, corporate finance departments and financial technology companies.

Why study at Central Washington University

Central Washington University offers a business education with a balance of classroom instruction and applied learning. Students benefit from relatively small class sizes, faculty with industry and academic experience, and opportunities to complete internships and projects with local and regional employers. The programme is delivered on a campus that provides close access to career services, student finance and business organisations, and regional markets for internships and employment.

Students can engage with on-campus business clubs and networking activities to build professional contacts, and CWU’s career resources help with internship placement, résumé development and interview preparation. The curriculum is designed to give students the technical skills and professional awareness needed for entry into the financial services sector or for further study.