Athabasca University

What you'll study

The curriculum requires completion of common Bachelor of Commerce core courses across Years 1–4 plus Finance-major specific classes. Students entering via a business diploma route receive block transfer credit (typically 60 credits for two-year diplomas, 45 credits for Ontario two-year diplomas; up to 75 credits for approved three-year business diplomas). Remaining years (Years 3 and 4) include required and major courses.

• Required (30 credits for diploma-holders): ACCT 355 Cost Analysis; ADMN 417 International Business Management or ECON 401 The Changing Global Economy; CMIS 351 Management Information Systems; FNCE/ECON 300 Financial Economics or FNCE 370 Overview of Corporate Finance (FNCE 370 required if pursuing additional ACCT/FNCE courses); HRMT 386 Introduction to Human Resources Management; MGSC 312 Statistics for Business and Economics II; MGSC 368 Introduction to Production and Operations Management or MGSC 369 Service Operations Management; ORGB 364 Organizational Behavior; ADMN 404 Capstone I: Strategic Management; ADMN 405 Capstone II: Application and Integration of Contemporary Business Topics (must be taken through Athabasca University as the program’s final course).
• Finance major core (19 credits): ECON 385 Money, Banking, and Canadian Financial Institutions; FNCE 401 Investments; FNCE 470 Portfolio Management.
• Finance major electives (12 credits): Any combination of ECON or FNCE courses (maximum 3 credits at the junior/200 level) not already taken as a core course. The program page provides recommendations for CFP and corporate finance pathways (e.g., FNCE 249, FNCE 322, TAXX 301, ECON 358, ACCT 356).
• Other options (9 credits): Senior (300/400) level Business and Administrative Studies credits (recommendations provided); senior non-Business and Administrative Studies credits (6 credits). PHIL 333 Professional Ethics or PHIL 337 Business Ethics is strongly recommended if not already completed in the diploma.

Entry requirements

Two entry routes are defined: Business-field diploma-holders present approved two- or three-year college diplomas and receive block transfer credit (see block credit amounts above). Non-business diploma-holders receive a 30-credit block transfer and must also complete the required business courses listed for the business-diploma route. All diplomas must be approved for credit by Athabasca University. Students with an existing degree in administration/business/commerce/management or an equivalent will not be admitted; exceptions for international degree-holders or for pursuing a different major are considered with Program Director and Registrar review.

Additional academic rules: a minimum weighted average of 1.7 (C-) across AU courses applied to the Bachelor of Commerce is required to graduate; transfer credit restrictions apply to senior-level Business and Administrative Studies, CMIS, and Statistics courses depending on age of the credential unless waived with evidence of current work; ADMN 405 must be taken at Athabasca University and cannot be granted by transfer.

Career prospects

The Finance major is oriented toward the financial services sector and corporate finance roles by training students in financial markets, instruments, investment decision-making and capital management for institutions and individuals. Athabasca University provides program learning outcomes that outline potential career options for graduates; recommended elective choices further tailor preparation toward Certified Financial Planner (CFP) pathways or corporate finance roles.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Specific scholarships or fees are not listed on the programme page. Prospective students should consult Athabasca University’s central financial aid and scholarships office for bursaries, transfer-credit implications for tuition, and funding options available to diploma-to-degree completion students.