Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Finance Concentration

Build Financial Knowledge and a Broader Business Perspective

Financial decisions shape how organizations invest, manage risk, allocate resources, and plan for long-term growth. Professionals who understand both finance and the broader functions of business can help organizations interpret financial information and make more informed decisions.

Waldorf University's online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Finance concentration combines a broad business foundation with focused study in financial management, risk, international finance, financial institutions, and economics.

Designed for working adults, transfer students, and military-affiliated learners, the program provides a flexible way to build finance knowledge while continuing to manage work, service, family, and other responsibilities.

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An Online Finance Concentration Designed for Working Adults

The Finance concentration is part of Waldorf's 120-credit online BS in Business Administration. Students develop knowledge across accounting, marketing, management, human resources, information systems, business law, operations, ethics, and strategy, then add 15 credits of focused finance coursework.

This combination can help students understand financial decisions in context, including how those decisions affect people, operations, customers, and organizational priorities.

 

Program Highlights

  • 100% online

  • 120-credit bachelor's degree

  • 15-credit Finance concentration

  • Broad-based business curriculum

  • Coursework in financial management, risk, international finance, financial institutions, and microeconomics

  • Flexible online learning

  • 11 online term start dates per year

  • $345 per credit hour for online undergraduate coursework

  • Up to 75% of the bachelor's degree may be completed through eligible transfer credit based on a personalized evaluation

 

Why Choose a Business Administration Degree With a Finance Concentration

Finance is more than tracking money. It involves evaluating alternatives, understanding risk, interpreting market and economic conditions, and helping organizations decide how to use limited resources.

A business administration degree with a Finance concentration allows students to develop these specialized capabilities without losing sight of the wider organization. That broader perspective can be useful in roles where financial analysis must connect with strategy, operations, compliance, or management.

Students may pursue the concentration to:

  • Build a foundation in financial analysis and decision-making

  • Understand how organizations obtain, allocate, and manage funds

  • Explore risk, financial institutions, and international financial activity

  • Prepare for business and finance-related career opportunities

  • Add finance knowledge to existing professional or military experience

  • Complete a bachelor's degree after earning eligible college or community college credit

  • Prepare for future graduate study, including an MBA or a finance-related graduate program

 

What Will You Learn in a Finance Concentration

The Finance concentration develops knowledge that can be applied to financial questions within businesses, financial institutions, government agencies, and other organizations. Students examine how financial information supports decisions and how economic conditions, risk, and global markets can influence those decisions.

Financial Decision-Making

Evaluate financial information and consider how financing, investment, and resource-allocation choices support organizational objectives.

Risk Management

Explore how organizations identify, assess, and respond to financial and operational risks.

Financial Institutions

Study the role of banks and other financial institutions in the economy and the ways they connect individuals, businesses, and markets.

International Finance

Examine financial activity across borders and consider how exchange rates, global markets, and international conditions affect organizations.

Economic Analysis

Use microeconomic concepts to understand how individuals and organizations make choices, respond to incentives, and operate within markets.

Business Communication and Strategy

Connect financial analysis with the communication, leadership, ethics, and strategic thinking required to explain findings and support organizational decisions.

 

Finance Careers and Workforce Outlook

Finance knowledge is used in many settings, including corporations, banks, investment firms, insurance organizations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and consulting firms. A Finance concentration does not prepare every graduate for the same occupation, and some positions may require experience, licensure, certification, or additional education.

The examples below illustrate several occupational areas related to the curriculum. They are not a guarantee of employment, eligibility, advancement, or salary.

Occupational area

What the work may involve

Projected growth 2025-2035

Average annual openings

Financial analyst

Evaluates financial data, business conditions, investments, or risk

7%

29,500

Financial examiner

Reviews financial institutions and compliance with laws governing monetary transactions

9%

4,500

Budget analyst

Helps public and private organizations plan finances and monitor spending

2%

2,900

Financial manager

Directs financial activities and long-term financial planning; typically requires five years or more of related experience

10%

65,600

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Projections and opening estimates are national and cover 2025 through 2035. Financial manager roles typically require a bachelor's degree plus five years or more of related work experience. Employment requirements and outcomes vary by employer, location, experience, credentials, and other factors.

 

BLS also reports that financial analysts typically need a bachelor's degree and that employers may seek analytical, communication, computer, decision-making, and quantitative skills. These capabilities reinforce the value of combining finance coursework with a broader business curriculum.

 

Potential Career Directions

Depending on a graduate's experience, interests, location, and additional qualifications, finance-related career directions may include:

  • Financial analysis

  • Budget analysis

  • Risk analysis or risk support

  • Financial services

  • Banking and financial institutions

  • Credit analysis

  • Corporate finance support

  • Treasury or cash-management support

  • Financial compliance or examination

  • Investment operations

  • Insurance and related financial services

  • Financial management after gaining relevant professional experience

Some securities, investment, advisory, insurance, accounting, and financial-planning activities require occupational licenses or professional credentials. Students should review the requirements for the role and state in which they intend to work.

 

Finish What You Started

Your Previous Credits Can Help Move You Forward

If you have already completed college coursework, you may not need to begin your bachelor's degree from the start. Waldorf provides a personalized transfer evaluation, and eligible students may be able to complete up to 75% of the 120-credit bachelor's degree through transfer credit.

That means as many as 90 eligible credits may apply toward degree completion, depending on the evaluation of previous coursework and how those credits fit the program's requirements.

Make Your Education Investment Count

At $345 per credit hour, Waldorf's online undergraduate tuition provides a clearly stated starting point for planning. Applying eligible transfer credit may reduce the number of Waldorf credits and the total tuition needed to finish the degree.

Transfer With Greater Clarity

  • Fast, free transfer evaluation

  • Up to 75% of the bachelor's degree through eligible transfer credit

  • Dedicated transfer advisors

  • Personalized evaluation of previous coursework

  • Flexible online pathway designed for working adults

  • Clearer path from an associate degree to bachelor's completion

Business Administration is one of Waldorf's designated Pathways Program majors. Students entering through an eligible pathway may be able to complete their bachelor's degree in approximately 18 to 24 months, depending on credits previously earned and accepted toward the program.

Ready to see how your credits may apply? Request a personalized transfer evaluation.

Request a Transfer Evaluation →

 

The Waldorf Difference

Build Specialized Finance Knowledge AND Keep Your Broader Goals in View

You should not have to choose between developing focused finance knowledge and understanding the larger business environment in which financial decisions take place.

  • Study finance AND build knowledge across major business functions

  • Earn your bachelor's degree AND continue building professional experience

  • Study online AND remain present for work, family, or military responsibilities

  • Bring eligible previous credit with you AND move closer to graduation

YOUR LIFE CONTINUES. YOUR EDUCATION DOES TOO.

 

Online Education for Military-Affiliated Students

Waldorf has extensive experience serving active-duty service members, veterans, and military families. Its online programs are designed to accommodate learners managing duty schedules, deployments, relocations, work, and family responsibilities.

Military training, Joint Services Transcript coursework, Community College of the Air Force coursework, certifications, and prior college credit may be evaluated for transfer. Active-duty service members using eligible Tuition Assistance may qualify for Waldorf's undergraduate military rate of $250 per credit hour, aligned with the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance cap. Eligibility, benefit coverage, and branch requirements vary, so students should confirm their individual options with their education office and Waldorf's Warrior Support Center.

  • Flexible online coursework accessible wherever internet access is available

  • Military transfer-credit evaluation

  • Support with Tuition Assistance and eligible VA education benefits

  • Participation in ArmyIgnitED, GEM, and AU-ABC pathways

  • Dedicated guidance through the Warrior Support Center

 

Who Should Consider the Finance Concentration

The online BS in Business Administration with a Finance concentration may be a good fit for students who want focused financial knowledge within a versatile business degree.

It may be particularly relevant for:

  • Community college graduates ready to complete a bachelor's degree

  • Students with previous college credit who want to return and finish

  • Working adults seeking to develop finance and business capabilities

  • Active-duty service members, veterans, and military-affiliated students

  • Professionals working in banking, insurance, accounting support, operations, sales, or other business functions

  • Students interested in how organizations make financial and investment decisions

  • Professionals preparing for greater budgeting, analytical, or financial responsibilities

  • Students considering future MBA or graduate finance study

This program is available online only.

B.A./B.S. Degree Requirements

  • Completion of the core curriculum and the curriculum for the major, totaling 120 credits
  • A grade of C or higher in all coursework in the major and, if applicable, in the concentration(s)
  • 2.00 cumulative grade point average for work completed at Waldorf
  • Minimum of 36 upper-division credit hours

Review the complete list of core requirements for this program.

Major/Core Requirements
Requirements Credit Hours
Major Requirements 60
Courses Required for Major 36
Concentration 15
Remaining Professional Electives 9
Core Requirements 60
Grand Total: 120
Finance Concentration
Prefix Number Course Credit Hours
BUS 3301 Financial Management 3
BUS 4220 Risk Management 3
BUS 4301 International Financing 3
BUS 4240 Financial Institutions 3
ECO 2501 Principles of Microeconomics 3
Total Concentration Credit Hours: 15

 

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Degree Requirements

Students must complete the core curriculum and requirements for the Business Administration major for a total of 120 credits.

  • Completion of the core curriculum and major curriculum totaling 120 credits

  • A grade of C or higher in all coursework in the major and concentration

  • A minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA for coursework completed at Waldorf

  • At least 36 upper-division credit hours

Transfer students receive a personalized evaluation to determine how previously completed coursework may apply toward Waldorf degree requirements. For complete admission, transfer, and degree requirements, request information or speak with a Waldorf admissions representative.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Finance concentration in a business administration degree?

A Finance concentration adds focused study in financial management, risk, international finance, financial institutions, and microeconomics to a broader business administration curriculum. Students develop finance knowledge while also studying areas such as management, accounting, marketing, human resources, information systems, business law, operations, ethics, and strategy.

Is Waldorf's BS in Business Administration with a Finance concentration fully online?

Yes. The program is available 100% online, allowing students to complete coursework while continuing to manage work, family, military service, and other responsibilities.

How many credits are required?

The BS in Business Administration requires 120 total credits. The Finance concentration includes 15 credits of focused coursework within the 60-credit business major structure.

What courses are included in the Finance concentration?

The concentration includes Financial Management, Risk Management, International Financing, Financial Institutions, and Principles of Microeconomics. Each course carries three credits.

How long does the program take?

The estimated completion time is four years for a full-time student beginning without transfer credit. Students with eligible previous coursework may finish sooner. Actual completion time depends on accepted transfer credit, course load, course availability, and individual degree requirements.

Can I transfer credits into the program?

Yes. Waldorf provides personalized transfer evaluations, and eligible students may be able to complete up to 75% of the bachelor's degree through transfer credit. For a 120-credit program, that may represent as many as 90 accepted credits.

What can you do with a business administration degree in finance?

Graduates may explore opportunities involving financial analysis, budgeting, banking, risk, credit, financial services, compliance, investment operations, or corporate finance support. Career eligibility and advancement depend on experience, location, employer requirements, licenses, certifications, and other qualifications.

Does this degree qualify someone to become a financial advisor or sell securities?

The degree can provide relevant academic preparation, but some financial services, securities, insurance, and advisory activities require licenses, registrations, employer sponsorship, or professional credentials. Requirements vary by role and jurisdiction.

Is the Finance concentration the same as an accounting degree?

No. Finance focuses more heavily on financial decisions, markets, institutions, investments, risk, and the allocation of resources. Accounting focuses more specifically on recording, reporting, auditing, and interpreting financial transactions. Waldorf's business curriculum includes accounting coursework, but the concentration is in Finance.

Is this program appropriate for military-affiliated students?

It may be. Waldorf offers flexible online coursework, military transfer-credit evaluation, and support for eligible military education benefits. Active-duty students using eligible Tuition Assistance may qualify for Waldorf's undergraduate military tuition rate. Individual eligibility and coverage should be confirmed with the appropriate education office and Waldorf's Warrior Support Center.

Can this degree prepare me for an MBA?

A bachelor's degree is a foundational requirement for MBA admission. Waldorf's program also introduces several disciplines encountered in graduate business education, including accounting, finance, marketing, management, information systems, economics, and strategy. Admission requirements vary by institution.

 

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Build Financial Knowledge and Move Your Education Forward

Develop a broad business foundation, add focused finance coursework, and make eligible previous college credit part of a clearer path toward bachelor's completion.

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