The College of Business finance concentration prepares undergraduate students to enter the finance profession with knowledge and skills in asset valuation, investments, and global finance. This concentration allows you to merge your academic focus with your career goals while working to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

24

Credits of finance-specific courses needed

Curriculum

Students who choose the finance concentration must take at least 24 credits of finance-specific courses in addition to the All-University Core Curriculum and College of Business courses. You also have to select one of the following options: corporate finance, investment analysis, or real estate finance. Take a look at the degree requirements.
    
See more details about the finance concentration (PDF).

See career outcomes data for CSU finance graduates. 

 

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate the ability to:

  • solve time value of money problems
  • value securities, measure and manage risk
  • analyze the financial health of companies
  • incorporate global risk in financial decision-making

 

Courses

The courses below reflect the 2025-2026 Colorado State University catalog, published in August 2025 for students enrolling during the 2025-2026 academic year. Courses listed are updated each summer for incoming students.

In order to complete the Finance concentration, the Business Administration core courses and the Finance concentration core courses must be completed. Students must select one of the following options as well: Corporate Finance, Investment Analysis, or Real Estate Finance.

The College of Business requires a minimum grade point average of 2.000 in business and economics courses as a graduation requirement. 

Freshman
AUCC
Credits
BUS 100 or BUS 105
Introduction to Business
Exploration of Business
Credits1
BUS 225
Transforming Business for Sustainable Impact (GT-AH3)
AUCC3B
Credits3
CIS 200
Business Information Systems
Credits3
CO 150
College Composition (GT-CO2)
AUCC1A
Credits3
ECON 202
Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1)
AUCC3C
Credits3
Complete 3 credits from the following:
Credits3
MATH 117
College Algebra in Context I (GT-MA1)
AUCC1B
MATH 118
College Algebra in Context II (GT-MA1)
AUCC1B
MATH 120
College Algebra (GT-MA1)
AUCC1B
MATH 124
Logarithmic and Exponential Functions (GT-MA1)
AUCC1B
MATH 125
Numerical Trigonometry (GT-MA1)
AUCC1B
MATH 126
Analytic Trigonometry (GT-MA1)
AUCC1B
MATH 127
Precalculus (GT-MA1)
AUCC1B
MATH 141 (Or higher level calculus course)
Calculus in Management Sciences (GT-MA1)
AUCC1B
1C
AUCC1C
Credits3
Biological and Physical Sciences
AUCC3A
Credits4
Electives
Credits7
Total Credits
Credits30
Sophomore
ACT 210
Introduction to Financial Accounting
Credits3
ACT 220
Introduction to Managerial Accounting
Credits3
BUS 220
Ethics in Contemporary Organizations (GT-AH3)
AUCC3B
Credits3
BUS 260
Social-Ethical-Regulatory Issues in Business
Credits3
ECON 204
Principles of Macroeconomics (GT-SS1)
AUCC3C
Credits3
STAT 204
Statistics With Business Applications (GT-MA1)
AUCC1B
Credits3
Biological and Physical Sciences
AUCC3A
Credits3
Historical Perspectives
AUCC3D
Credits3
Electives
Credits6
Total Credits
Credits30
Junior
All freshman and sophomore required courses must be completed prior to or concurrent with first enrollment in required junior and senior courses.
CIS 370
Analytics and AI in Business
Credits3
FIN 300
Principles of Finance
AUCC4A,4B
Credits3
FIN 310
Financial Markets and Institutions
Credits3
FIN 355
Principles of Investments
Credits3
MKT 300
Marketing
AUCC4B
Credits3
Select 3 credits from the following:
Credits3
BUS 300
Business Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)
AUCC2
JTC 300
Strategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)
AUCC2
JTC 301
Corporate and Professional Communication (GT-CO3)
AUCC2
Option courses (see requirements below)
Credits3-6
Electives
Credits6-9
Total Credits
Credits30
Senior
BUS 479
Strategic Management
AUCC4A,4C
Credits3
FIN 475
International Business Finance
Credits3
MGT 301
Supply Chain Management
Credits3
MGT 320
Contemporary Management Principles/Practices
Credits3
Option courses (see requirements below)
Credits9-12
Electives2
Credits6-9
Total Credits
Credits30
Program Total Credits:
Credits120
Corporate Finance Option
JUNIOR
FIN 370
Financial Management-Theory and Application
Credits3
SENIOR
FIN 470
Derivative Securities
Credits3
FIN 471
Enterprise Valuation
Credits3
Upper-Division ACT, FIN, or REL Electives
Credits6
Investment Analysis Option
JUNIOR
Upper-Division ACT, FIN, or REL Electives
Credits6
SENIOR
FIN 311
Debt Securities Analysis
Credits3
FIN 455
Advanced Portfolio Management
Credits3
FIN 470
Derivative Securities
Credits3
Real Estate Finance Option
JUNIOR
REL 360
Real Estate Principles
Credits3
Upper-Division ACT, FIN, or REL Elective
Credits3
SENIOR
REL 430
Real Estate Market Analysis
Credits3
REL 460
Real Estate Investment
Credits3
Upper-Division ACT, FIN, or REL Elective
Credits3
This course listing is provided through the Colorado State University catalog and is updated each summer. New or modified courses offered for spring or summer may not be included, but you can find complete course information via the class schedule on RAMweb. Offerings are subject to change and the University reserves the right to make changes in catalog information when necessary and to correct errors. Always consult with an academic advisor to stay informed of curriculum details.