The financial services program is designed to provide students with an overview of the various financial institutions and their importance in the economy and to provide a description of the products and services offered by financial institutions. With this degree, students may enter directly into the work force or continue their education in a four-year baccalaureate program. Generally, graduates begin their careers in entry-level positions such as tellers and salespersons with career ladders reaching toward loan officers, researchers, stock brokers, financial planners, and insurance agents. This program provides introductory courses in the basic fields of financial services; helps the student appreciate the broad business principles necessary for successful management of a financial institution; prepares the student to recognize the ethical considerations that are important in the financial advisory process; enables the student to understand the role that financial institutions play in the economy; and keeps the student informed on changes in legislation and technology and how these will affect the future of the financial services industry.
A laptop computer [2] is recommended, but not required, for students entering the financial services program.
- Apply effective communication skills in writing, reading, presenting and listening in writing business and other documents.
- Use decision-making skills, prioritize, analyze and make recommendations using critical thinking.
- Draw specific conclusions about a business from its financial records, including conducting risk assessment.
- Use technological resources and skills effectively and appropriately to communicate, collaborate, and retrieve information.
- Participate in team situations by successfully and effectively communicating, participating, focusing, and completing the assigned task.
- Distinguish between the different aspects of the marketing mix and discuss how to manage each one.
- Relate to different business situations through general business knowledge gained, such as organization types, laws and applications, supply/demand, global issues, ethics, and leadership.
- Defend final projects through research analysis, conclusions, and recommendations, along with an oral presentation of this information.
- Apply appropriate job search skills such a resume writing, job interviewing, and writing cover letters and thank you letters.
Required: Algebra, Geometry
Recommended: Algebra 2/Trigonometry
- Highlights key aspects of finance, including stocks, bonds, real estate, financial planning, and computer applications
- Excellent choice for students wishing to continue in Alfred State's BBA program in Technology Management [3]
Current articulation agreements exist with Alfred University, SUNY Oswego, Hilbert College, Rochester Institute of Technology, Canisius College, Niagara University, and SUNY Brockport. Agreements are in progress with SUNY Fredonia, St. John Fisher College, SUNY Oneonta, and other colleges. Transfer to other colleges and universities that are not under articulation is very common. Approximately 60 percent of the business majors transfer to an upper-division program, either at Alfred State or elsewhere.
66 semester hours with a 2.0 cumulative index.
- Commercial Banks
- Thrift Institutions
- Credit Unions
- Mutual Funds
- Insurance Companies
- Pension Funds
- Financial Planning Firms
Alfred State financial services graduates may enter directly into either the business administration BBA, financial planning BBA or technology management BBA degree program.
Students may transfer directly into one of our own BBA degree programs or to another college. Although not limited to these schools, common transfer institutions include: Alfred University, St. Bonaventure University, Rochester Institute of Technology, St. John Fisher College, SUNY at Albany, University at Buffalo, SUNY College at Brockport, SUNY College at Fredonia, SUNY College at Geneseo, SUNY College at Oneonta, SUNY College at Oswego, SUNY at Binghamton, Canisius College, Niagara University, and Hilbert College.
Most students are in a classroom setting 15-18 hours per week for formal instruction. Most courses required of financial services majors are three credit hours, which equates to three-four hours a week in a classroom/lab and six-eight hours a week of outside reading and project assignments. Students are assigned a faculty adviser specific to their program, who works individually with him/her to set up schedules and choose appropriate electives.
| First Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCT [4] | 1124 [5] | Financial Accounting | 4 |
| COMP [6] | 1503 [7] | Freshman Composition | 3 |
| CISY [8] | 1103 [9] | Information Technology Mgmt. | 3 |
| MATH [10] | xxx3 | Math Elective | 3 |
| MKTG [11] | 2073 [12] | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| HPED [13] | xxx1 | Physical Education Elective | 1 |
| 17 | |||
| Second Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCT [4] | 2224 [14] | Managerial Accounting | 4 |
| BUAD [15] | 2033 [16] | Bus Communications | 3 |
| xxx3 | Gen Education Elective (Humanities) | 3 | |
| MATH [10] | xxx3 | Math Elective | 3 |
| xxx3 | Gen Ed Elective | 3 | |
| xxx3 | Computer Elective | 3 | |
| 19 | |||
| Third Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| BUAD [15] | 3153 [17] | Fund of Management | 3 |
| BUAD [15] | 3043 [18] | Business Law I | 3 |
| BUAD [15] | 4133 [19] | Investments | 3 |
| BUAD [15] | 4203 [20] | Intro to Pers Fin Planning | 3 |
| ECON [21] | 1013 [22] | Principles of Economics I | 3 |
| 15 | |||
| Fourth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| BUAD [15] | 4053 [23] | Business Law II | 3 |
| BUAD [15] | 4193 [24] | Insurance and Risk Mgt | 3 |
| MKTG [11] | 1063 [25] | Salesmanship | 3 |
| ECON [21] | 2023 [26] | Prin of Economics II | 3 |
| xxx3 | Business Elective | 3 | |
| 15 | |||
| Survey Details | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receiving Degrees | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Responding to Survey | 6 (86%) | 4 (80%) | 3 (100%) |
| Employed | 1 (17%) | 2 (50%) | -- |
| Employed in Field | 1 (100%) | 2 (100%) | -- |
| Transferred | 5 (83%) | 2 (50%) | 3 (100%) |
| Unemployed & Seeking Employment | -- | -- | -- |
| Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment | -- | -- | -- |
Not available
