Objectives for the Undergraduate Major in Finance
The undergraduate finance curriculum at Seattle University strives to form students into mature professionals with strong ethical, analytical, and problem solving skills with a highly developed ability to think critically and function successfully in a dynamic business environment. Our program enables students to view business challenges holistically, and be cognizant of the relationship of finance to other disciplines. We want to foster an environment wherein students recognize their potential as responsible leaders who can think clearly, judge wisely and humanely, communicate effectively and act with integrity at all times.
Knowledge
A graduate of the finance program at Seattle University should be able to:
- understand and describe to the non-finance person, the concept of time value of money
- understand and be able to demonstrate how asset values are determined in a corporate or investment setting
- interpret and analyze basic financial statements in order to perform financial analysis
- implement various modeling techniques such as the CAPM, APT, and OPM in order to recognize and measure risk
- apply basic mathematical and statistical tools for financial modeling and be able to interpret the results
- understand basic portfolio dynamics
- appropriately apply capital budgeting and working capital management strategies
- recognize the theoretical underpinnings (e.g., M&M) as well as the practical implications of capital structure and dividend policy
- recognize the global implications of domestic and foreign influences on financial markets (e.g., Federal Reserve Policy, F/X rates)
Skills
A graduate of the finance program at Seattle University should be able to:
- demonstrate strong analytical and problem solving skills within an ethical framework
- utilize critical thinking skills and their natural curiosity in a quest for lifelong learning
- make formal presentations using software applications such as PowerPoint
- use spreadsheets and web-based information technology
- convey their ideas in a variety of written forms
- present themselves in a professional manner in all situations
- work together successfully in teams with a well-developed work ethic
Objectives for the Master of Science in Finance Program
The overall objective of the MSF program is to provide students with a solid understanding of finance theory allowing the application of various finance models to real world decision-making in a global context. The program should develop their critical and analytical skills to adapt the various models to new and challenging situations. This program should also provide students with the ability to assess the social and ethical implications of their financial decisions.
Knowledge
Graduating students should have a strong understanding in both the domestic and international setting of:
- valuation models and capital budgeting techniques based on variations of the discounted cash flow model such as NPV, APV, EVA, and multiples
- asset allocation and portfolio theory
- bond duration and immunization
- risk measurements and its effect in valuing assets via CAPM, APT, and empirical multi-factor models
- the use and applications of derivative instruments including options, futures, and swaps in hedging and speculation
- the role of financial intermediaries such as banks, insurance companies, mutual funds, etc.
- agency theory, its effect on managerial behavior and in the design of optimal compensation contracts
- the efficient market hypothesis and its implication for decision making
- the role of the market for corporate control and its valuation effects
- capital structure and dividend policy theory and their implications for decision making
- the impact of capital markets on financial decisions
Skills
Graduating students should be able to:
- articulate the results of their analysis orally and in writing providing both clear explanations and support
- work effectively independently as well as in teams
- critically evaluate the analysis of others including reports and publications of both practitioners and academics
- utilize spreadsheets extensively in financial modeling
- identify and extract financial data from various sources including the web
