Online Degrees in Finance

Associate Degree in Finance: Associate degrees usually take two years of study to complete, and immerse students in the basics of finance. Topics can include the principles of finance, such as asset structure, risk, income, and cash flows. Students also learn about micro and macroeconomics, marketing, and personal finance. Typically, associate programs cover general education classes like English, math, and science as well. Graduates may pursue careers as real estate brokers, loan officers, insurance sales agents, or assessors, among others, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov/ooh, 2012). For those interested in furthering their education, students may have the option to transfer their credits toward a bachelor's at a later date.

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Bachelor's Degree in Finance: Full-time students can typically earn this degree in four years, but program lengths vary. Courses tend to offer a deep understanding of financial concepts, including supply chain management, interest rates, human resource management, and statement analysis. With a bachelor's degree in finance, graduates may qualify to become financial analysts, personal financial advisors, risk managers or investment bankers (bls.gov/ooh, 2012).

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Master's Degree in Finance: Depending on the specific program, individuals may be able to complete an online master's degree program in one to two years of full-time study. The Master of Science (M.S.) in Finance and Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in finance are two common degree types offered online. The M.S. degree tends to place more emphasis on building the quantitative skills of students, and usually features a range of finance courses. An online MBA program, on the other hand, typically spends more time on teaching the leadership, management and entrepreneurial skills necessary to run a financial institution. While MBA programs also offer finance courses, they're often less in number than an M.S. program. Master's degree holders may be better prepared for more senior roles in fields such as insurance management, hedge fund management, and accounting reports the BLS (bls.gov/ooh, 2012).

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Doctoral Degrees in Finance: Students can choose to earn either a Doctor of Finance (Ph.D.) or a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with a concentration in finance. Full-time students typically complete these degree programs in three to seven years. The Ph.D. path is geared towards individuals who want to conduct research or become university-level educators, while the DBA is for those interested in becoming practitioners and furthering their professional skill set. Coursework for the Ph.D. often immerses students in multivariate modeling, stochastic calculus, probability and measure theory, and quantitative and qualitative research practices. DBA classes tend to cover ethical leadership practices, management theory, and global finance practices.

In addition to core curriculum, doctoral candidates must complete a dissertation. The dissertation may be a study and analysis of original, collected data, or a new interpretation of existing research. With a doctorate in finance, graduates might pursue careers as postsecondary educators, researchers, or financial consultants.

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Stock markets, investments, retirement funds -- these are all areas where financial expertise is important. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov/ooh, 2012), demand for financial analysts is projected to increase by 23 percent between 2010 and 2020. An online degree in finance can help prepare students to enter this growing field, or a range of other related occupations. To learn more about available programs, or to speak with an admissions counselor, request information from any of the online schools below.

Sources:
"Business and Financial Occupations," Occupational Outlook Handbook (2012-13 Edition), Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/
"Financial Managers," Occupational Outlook Handbook (2012-13 Edition), Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm
"Sales Occupations," Occupational Outlook Handbook (2012-13 Edition), Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/home.htm