Alvernia University

What you'll study

The programme combines foundational business education with specialised finance coursework and practical experiences. You will study core business subjects such as accounting, economics, business law and quantitative methods alongside finance-focused modules covering corporate finance, investments, financial statement analysis, fixed income and derivatives, and financial planning.

• Foundations: Principles of Finance, Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, Principles of Accounting, Business Statistics
• Core finance modules: Corporate Finance, Investment Analysis, Portfolio Management, Financial Markets and Institutions, Risk Management and Insurance
• Applied and professional topics: Financial Planning and Wealth Management, Taxation basics for financial professionals, Estate Planning, Ethics in Finance
• Skills and tools: Financial modelling, spreadsheet analysis, valuation techniques and exposure to industry-standard software and data sources
• Experiential learning: Internship or practicum with a financial services firm, capstone project or independent research that integrates technical skills with client-facing applications

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary school diploma or equivalent. Successful candidates typically have completed coursework in mathematics (algebra, and preferably precalculus), and demonstrate strong written and quantitative skills. Admissions may consider high school GPA, personal statements and recommendation letters.

Standardised tests (SAT/ACT) may be optional; check current admissions guidance. International applicants must present academic records equivalent to U.S. secondary qualifications and meet English language competence through recognised tests or institutional pathways if English is not their first language.

Prior introductory coursework in accounting or computer skills is helpful but not always required; academic advising can identify preparatory courses where needed.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a range of roles across financial services and corporate settings. Typical entry-level positions include:

• Financial analyst or junior analyst in corporate finance
• Wealth management associate or financial planning support
• Commercial banking or credit analyst roles
• Insurance underwriting or risk analyst positions
• Operations and compliance roles in brokerages and financial institutions

Alumni also move into sales and trading support, mortgage and lending, treasury functions, and consulting. Many graduates pursue professional certifications such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), or financial-services licences, and some continue to graduate study including MBA programmes or specialised master’s degrees.

Why study at Alvernia University

Alvernia offers a personalised learning environment with small class sizes and close faculty mentoring, which helps students develop both technical finance skills and professional judgement. The programme emphasises applied learning through internships, projects with industry partners and a capstone experience, enabling students to build a practical portfolio for employers.

Located in the greater Philadelphia region, Alvernia provides access to a network of local financial firms and alumni that support internships and career placements. Career services, academic advising and professional development workshops help students prepare for interviews, licencing exams and postgraduate options, while the university’s values-based approach encourages ethical decision-making in financial practice.