Finance
A degree in Finance gives you the power to shape the future of business—whether it’s helping a company grow, guiding individuals to financial freedom, or managing investments that drive global impact. With a strong foundation in financial analysis, strategy, and decision-making, you’ll be prepared for a wide range of careers in corporate finance, investment management, financial planning, fintech, and beyond. As the world becomes more interconnected and data-driven, finance professionals who can think critically, solve complex problems, and make ethical decisions are in high demand.
Why Study Finance at the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business?
Finance majors will learn to master data while creating value, driving innovation, and making informed decisions in a constantly evolving financial world. With courses in corporate finance, investments, and financial planning, you’ll gain practical skills that lead to high-impact careers. Benefit from small classes, expert faculty, and real-world experiences like managing investments and analyzing financial markets.
Customize your Finance experience by specializing in one of two tracks:
- Corporate Finance and Investments: Learn to make smart money moves for big companies. Corporate Finance involves evaluating business opportunities to make data-driven decisions that enhance value. Investments allow you to design winning investment portfolios. With careful course selection, the curriculum prepares you to sit for Level 1 of the CFA® exam. In this track, strategic analysis meets real-world impact—perfect for launching a career with top firms.
- Financial Planning: Our Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Board Approved Financial Planning Track prepares you to become a trusted financial planner. You’ll build the skills to guide individuals, families, and small businesses through major life decisions, making a real difference while building a rewarding career. The curriculum covers investment strategy, retirement and estate planning, tax and risk management, and more—all with a hands-on, real-world focus. Plus, you’ll be eligible to sit for the CFP® exam, the gold standard in wealth management. With demand for financial planners on the rise, there’s never been a better time to turn your business degree into a purpose-driven profession.
Discover Duquesne’s Distinctive Educational Experience
Finance majors gain access to real-world tools, investment experience, and industry connections that set them apart. From managing live portfolios through the Student Managed Investment Funds to mastering Bloomberg Terminals in the Investment Strategy Institute, you’ll develop the skills top employers seek. At Duquesne, you will have access to:
- Investment Strategy Institute (ISI): Receive direct access to 24+ Bloomberg Terminals, Wharton Research Data Services, and other leading financial databases. The ISI is your hub for mastering the tools used on Wall Street—live market data, deep-dive research, and other high-powered analytics, all in one space designed to launch your finance career.
- Student Managed Investment Funds (SMIF): Step into the role of a portfolio manager through Duquesne’s SMIF Program. Make data-driven investment decisions, sharpen your analytical skills, and build a strong resume for careers in finance, investment, and wealth management.
- Asset Management Group @ Duquesne (DAMG): Join a vibrant community of future finance leaders. DAMG connects you with guest speakers, alumni, and recruiters—while helping you prep for internships, job interviews, and life in the fast-paced finance world. Plus, you’ll gain hands-on Bloomberg experience. Additional professional and personal development opportunities are available to students who join the Financial Management Association.
Program Information
Students have the opportunity to analyze business opportunities to identify those that create value and to learn to structure portfolios of stocks, bonds, and other financial assets.
Program Type
Major, Minor
Degree
Bachelor's
Academic Department
Economics and Finance
Duration
4-year
Required Credit Hours
Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits.
From Our Alumni
“Joining the SMIF program at Duquesne's incredible Business School was the most impactful decision I made during my time as a student. It gave me the unique opportunity to actively manage a portfolio of $1.7mm in collaboration with like-minded students."
Career Opportunities
Invest in Your Future
Finance majors have a wide range of rewarding career options, including corporate finance, investments, and financial planning. Whether you’re interested in advising businesses on how to grow and allocate resources, managing investment portfolios, or guiding individuals toward financial independence, our program equips you with the technical skills and real-world experience needed to succeed.
Finance Majors Employment
Recent Duquesne Finance graduates have found positions in a variety of major corporations, including:
- BNY
- Community Bank
- Deloitte
- Eaton Vance
- EY
- Federated Hermes
- Fort Pitt Capital Group
- F.N.B. Corporation
- HBKS Wealth Advisors
- JPMorgan Chase
- Key Bank
- Merrill Lynch
- PIMCO
- PNC
- PWC
- Raymond James
- UPMC Health System
- US Steel
- Waldron Private Wealth
- Wilshire
Finance as a Second Major or Minor
market. Students can minor in Finance (Corporate Finance and Investments) or Financial Planning. The Financial Planning minor does not meet the educational requirements to sit for the CFP® exam.
CFP® Board Certification Exam
The Financial Planning Track provides both the academic foundation to sit for the CFP® Board Certification Exam and starts you on the path of fulfilling CFP® experience requirements through internships supported by our strong industry connections. For those drawn to corporate finance or investments, the curriculum prepares you for roles in financial analysis, asset management, and wealth advising—fields that value sharp analytical thinking and purpose-driven decision-making.
Expected Job Growth
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of:
- Financial examiners is projected to grow 21 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.
- Financial analysts is projected to grow 9 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.
- Personal financial advisors is projected to grow 17 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.
The Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) Program at Duquesne provides you with a compelling experience in money management and contributes
to your preparation for successful careers in finance and investment management. You
will learn to make evidence-based decisions investing in financial markets, which
will enable you to leverage the experience in interviews for internship and career
opportunities. The SMIF Program comprises three fund initiatives:
For more information call Jennifer Milcarek at (412) 396-5642.
To complete a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, students must complete
a minimum of 120 credits. All Finance majors are required to take: Minor in Corporate Finance and Investments track by taking: ACCT 311, ACCT 312, ACCT 315, ECON 481W, and ISYS 480 may not be counted towards the
Finance (Corporate Finance and Investments track) minor. Minor in Financial Planning Track by Taking: The Financial Planning minor does not meet the educational requirements to sit for
the CFP® exam. The Financial Planning Track is CFP® Board Approved. Financial Planning track graduates will be eligible to sit for the CFP® exam, the
gold standard in wealth management. Visit cfp.net for information on how to become CFP® Board Certified.
Student Managed Investment Funds
The DVF is a long-only fund that invests primarily in large-cap stocks selected on
the basis of fundamental analysis and Spiritan values. The benchmark for the DVF is
the iShares KLD 400 Social ETF (Symbol: DSI). Fund value approximately $1.4 million.
The DBF is an asset allocation fund that invests in ETFs for exposure across stocks,
bonds and cash. The benchmark for DBF is a 70/30 allocation to stocks and bonds accomplished
with the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (Symbol: IVV) and the iShares Core Aggregate Bond
ETF (Symbol: AGG). Fund value approximately $188,000.
The DMF is a long-only fund that invests primarily in micro-cap stocks selected on
the basis of quantitative factors. The benchmark for the DMF is the iShares Microcap
ETF (Symbol: IWC). Fund value approximately $121,000.
Contact Us
Curriculum
Students are encouraged to meet with their Student Success Coach for more information.
See below for details on the Corporate Finance and Investments Track curriculum.
See below for details on the Financial Planning Track curriculum.Corporate Finance and Investments Track
Financial Planning Track