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Business Administration, Economics Concentration, Finance & Investment Management, Bachelor's/Master's Combined Program

Earn 2 Degrees in only 5 Years!
  • 4+1

    Earn a BSBA in Economics & an M.S. in Finance & Investment Management

  • 1

    It Is the Only Program of Its Kind in North Carolina

  • 109

    Among Public National Universities, U.S. News & World Report

4+1 Economics Program Overview

What Are the Benefits of the Program?

The combined bachelor’s/master’s degree program equips you with high-demand skills needed for a successful career in economics and finance. Qualified students can earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in economics and a master’s degree in finance and investment management in under five years.

Students accepted into the 4+1 program are not required to apply to the Master of Science in Finance and Investment Management program (MSF). For these students, the benefits of having participated in the 4+1 program include the opportunity to be exposed to different concentration electives as well as the opportunity to assess whether the MSF program represents the student’s desired program of education.

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With this degree, graduates can become a:

The Chief Investment Officer is a top-level executive responsible for overseeing an organization's investment strategy and managing its portfolio of assets. They make critical decisions to maximize returns while minimizing risks, often collaborating with portfolio managers and analysts to achieve the organization's financial goals.vestments.

A Portfolio Manager is tasked with managing investment portfolios on behalf of clients or organizations. They design and implement investment strategies, select specific assets, and make investment decisions to achieve optimal returns aligned with their clients' risk tolerance and financial objectives.

A Wealth Manager is a financial professional who provides comprehensive financial planning and investment management services to high-net-worth individuals or families. They work closely with clients to develop customized financial plans, offer investment advice, and coordinate various aspects of their financial affairs to grow and preserve wealth.

A Financial Advisor offers personalized financial guidance to individuals or businesses, helping them make informed decisions about investments, retirement planning, insurance, and other financial matters. They assess clients' financial situations, provide recommendations, and assist in creating financial strategies to achieve their goals.

A Security Analyst conducts in-depth research and analysis of financial securities, such as stocks and bonds, to assess their investment potential. They evaluate market trends, company performance, and economic data to provide recommendations to portfolio managers or investors.

A Portfolio Analyst supports portfolio managers by analyzing and monitoring investment portfolios. They track performance, conduct risk assessments, and generate reports to inform investment decisions, ensuring that portfolios align with clients' objectives and risk tolerances.

A Financial Planner assists individuals and families in creating comprehensive financial plans. They consider various aspects of personal finance, including budgeting, saving, investing, retirement planning, and tax strategies, to help clients achieve their long-term financial goals and navigate life's financial challenges.

A Risk Manager is a professional responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential risks within an organization. They analyze various aspects of the business, including financial, operational, and strategic, to anticipate and minimize potential threats. By implementing risk management strategies, they aim to protect the organization's assets, reputation, and financial stability, ensuring it can navigate uncertain environments effectively.

program completion feature
program completion feature

Learn To

Finance firm assets and form successful stock portfolios

Forecast future financial performance and manage financial activities of a company

Identify opportunities for growth and cost savings by analyzing financial data

4+1 Finance Courses

Students may count up to six (6) credits of 500-level finance courses towards the 400-level economics concentration electives. The courses available are:

Sample Courses
FIN 532 Economics for Financial Professionals (3 CH)
FIN 533 Derivatives & Risk Management (3 CH) replaces FIN 433
FIN 540 Portfolio Management & Wealth Planning (3 CH) replaces FIN 440
See The Full Curriculum

How Do I Apply?

Students with an economics concentration in our BSBA program who are entering their senior year of study may be eligible to apply to the combined BSBA ECON/MSF 4+1 Program.

Requirements:
  • Admission to the Cameron School of Business as an economics concentration student
  • Overall UNCW GPA of 3.2
  • Completion of the 4+1 application form
  • Cover letter and resume

A separate application is required for the MSF program; acceptance is not guaranteed to 4+1 students. A grade of ‘B’ is required in MSF courses in order to ensure that a student will be accepted toward the MSF degree.

Credit will be offered for MSF hours completed during the Bachelor’s 4+1 program. Thus, a 4+1 student who successfully completes six-credit hours during their senior year will require 24 additional credit hours of MSF coursework to complete the MSF degree.

Combined bsba ECON/MSF 4+1 Application
Apply now!

Steps for Admission to Combined Programs

  1. Undergraduate Application: If you are not a current UNCW student, submit the appropriate application to the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
  2. Communicate: Communicate your interest to participate in the combined program with your undergraduate advisor and the coordinator of the graduate program. This includes reviewing the process to be considered for the combined program and discussing when to apply to the Graduate School.
  3. Combined Program Approval: The graduate coordinator will review your request to participate in the combined program. Approval to apply for the combined program does not guarantee admission to the Graduate School.
  4. Junior Year: During your junior year, you will work with your undergraduate advisor and the coordinator of the graduate program to identify which graduate courses you may take as an undergraduate student.
  5. Senior Year: During your senior year, you will work with the graduate program coordinator to obtain approval to take graduate courses as an undergraduate student.
  6. Graduate School Application: UNCW's Graduate School requires that your bachelor's degree be awarded prior to the first day of graduate classes for the term that you begin the master's degree program. Apply to take graduate classes for the term you begin the master's program.
  7. UNCW Graduate School Contact Info: Email gradschool@uncw.edu with questions prior to submitting the graduate application as the application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Contact Us

Dr. Steve Horan

Phone: (910) 962-3510

horans@uncw.edu

601 S College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28403

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