Finance
Associate Degree
Finance Associate Degree Program Outline
- Flexible curriculum
- All current college transfer credits considered
- Excellent foundation for a bachelor's degree
$300
The Associate of Science Degree in Finance curriculum provides a well-rounded combination of general education courses and core courses in the finance career discipline. The highly flexible curriculum makes it easy to transfer credits into the finance program. Once you are accepted, the maximum number of previously earned college credits will be considered. And you will have your choice of exciting elective courses.
Each course is developed with the input of industry professionals, ensuring that you receive an online education with practical career applications. Successful completion of the finance program prepares you for a variety of career settings. You may also continue your education in an Ashworth bachelor’s degree program.
Associate of Science in Finance Curriculum
Semester 1
EN110 - Achieving Academic ExcellenceThis course teaches the students fundamental principles while emphasizing skills development in the practice of public speaking. It covers purposes, methods and steps in preparing speeches, develops communication skills in listening, speech criticism, audience analysis and writing, and provides effective delivery techniques to present a variety of speeches.
Credit Hours: 3
This course offers an introduction to basic writing skills that is especially relevant to academic assignments. It focuses on paragraph development and organization in conjunction with a review of basic grammar and mechanics. The course also covers the construction of multi-paragraph essays, the development of writing style and tone, and techniques for critically editing and revising one',s work.
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to assure a basic level of computer applications literacy, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, email, and the Internet. The course also covers various types of computer hardware and networking methods. (This course has been designed so that access to a computer is helpful, but not required.)
Credit Hours: 3
This course offers a broad overview of the business world for both business and non-business majors. It is an introduction to the business environment, business ownership, management, marketing, technology and information, and finance.
Credit Hours: 3
Semester 2
EN130 - English Composition IIThis course offers an introduction to written composition especially relevant to academic assignments. It begins with an emphasis on composing stronger expressions at the sentence level and then covers development of multi-paragraph essays, development of writing style and tone, and how to revise and edit one',s work critically. An introduction to academic research is included.
Prerequisite for C02
Credit Hours: 3
View General Education Elective (Science 100-200 Level) offerings.
This course provides a focused look at the management of capital in a business firm. Emphasis is placed on policies and actions relating to asset structure, risk, income, and cash flows. Operating and financial analysis are also explored.
Credit Hours: 3
This is an introduction to microeconomics, with emphasis on the functioning of individual markets and their effectiveness for resource allocation. Topics include price and production theory, competition, labor, the distribution of income, and the theory of household behavior.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite for C11, BU310
A01: This course reviews the fundamentals of double-entry bookkeeping and the debit/credit method of recording transactions. The bookkeeping cycle, from recording transactions to preparing financial statements, is included. Emphasis is placed on service concerns operating as sole proprietorships.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite for BU330
A02: Basic principles of financial accounting are studied as a foundation for more advanced study and vocational skill. Areas of emphasis include cash, payroll, and accounting for merchandizing businesses.
Credit Hours: 3
*If planning to complete a bachelor’s degree, A02/A03 sequence is required.
Semester 3
General Education Elective (Behavioral/Social Science 100-200 Level) General Education Elective (Humanities/Fine Arts 100-200 Level)View General Education Elective (Humanities/Fine Arts 100-200 Level) offerings.
This is a study of monetary economics with an international slant. It includes complete coverage of the financial system, behavior of interest rates, financial institution management, the banking industry and its regulation, central banking and the conduct of monetary policy, international finance, and monetary theory.
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides a detailed look at the various types of organizations that make up the financial industry and the markets within which these organizations operate. Topics include Federal Reserve monetary policy, bonds and interest rate risk, commercial banking, international banking, thrift institutions, finance companies, insurance companies, pension funds, investment banking, and venture capital. Money, mortgage, equity, derivatives, and international markets are also presented.
Credit Hours: 3
This course presents the art of analyzing financial statements and the accompanying notes, to identify the financial health of a business enterprise. The four financial statements required by generally accepted accounting principles are thoroughly analyzed and the techniques of detecting financial statement fraud are introduced.
Credit Hours: 3
Semester 4
C17 - College Mathematics or MA240 - College Algebra*C17: This is a comprehensive review of mathematical skills and concepts commonly used in academic and vocational applications. Topics include whole numbers, fractions, decimal notation, ratios and proportions, percents, statistics and measurement, geometry, real numbers, and algebra.
Credit Hours: 3
MA240: This course introduces the major concepts of college-level algebra. The course begins with basic concepts such as sets and numbers but quickly moves into intermediate algebra topics, emphasizing concepts most often used in computer science. The student will gain extensive experience in evaluating and manipulating expressions, equations, inequalities, and functions.
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the broad implications of technological innovation on social organization in terms of personal, political, economic, and environmental issues. Topics covered include technological progress within society, issues of energy use and creation, positive and negative environmental impacts of technology, the use of technology in war and politics, social responsibility, personal health, and economic development.
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides in-depth coverage of investment alternatives, securities markets, risk/return tradeoffs, portfolio theory and selection, asset pricing models, common stock valuation and analysis, economy/market analysis, sector/industry analysis, technical analysis, bond yields and prices, options, futures, portfolio management, and evaluation of investment performance.
Credit Hours: 3
View Elective (100-200 Level) offerings.
View Elective (100-200 Level) offerings.
*If planning to complete a bachelor’s degree, MA240 is a required course.
Or, consider our
Associate of Applied Science in Finance Degree Program
- Occupation-oriented curriculum
- For students with few or no transfer credits
- Excellent workforce foundation
You may also consider the Associate of Applied Science in Finance degree program. The curriculum is more career-directed, combining a broad general education with core specialty courses to prepare you for a clearly defined career path. When you graduate, you will have solid finance skills to use in the workplace.
This professionally developed program is ideal for those who want a quick start in the job market, and don't necessarily want to attain a further degree. Call 1-800-957-5412 to enroll in the Associate of Applied Science degree program. (For all Applied Science programs, enroll by phone only.)
View the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Finance program outline.
Semester 1
C01 - Introduction to BusinessThis course offers a broad overview of the business world for both business and non-business majors. It is an introduction to the business environment, business ownership, management, marketing, technology and information, and finance.
Credit Hours: 3
This course presents the basic principles of communication that are particularly applicable in business and industry, providing a foundation for more effective communication skills. It focuses on the proper use of English grammar in business settings.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: EN130
This is a survey of the field of psychology, including the development of behavior, physiological mechanisms of behavior, perception, motivation and emotion, consciousness, learning, memory, personality, and mental health.
Credit Hours: 3
This is a comprehensive review of mathematical skills and concepts commonly used in academic and vocational applications. Topics include whole numbers, fractions, decimal notation, ratios and proportions, percents, statistics and measurement, geometry, real numbers, and algebra.
Credit Hours: 3
This is a consumer-oriented overview of the practical application of economic concepts. The course emphasizes decision making about budgeting, savings, consumer strategies, insurance, investing, retirement planning, and estate planning.
Credit Hours: 3
Semester 2
C11 - MacroeconomicsThis is an introduction to macroeconomic analysis and policy. Examination of the foundation and nature of economic principles as they apply to national output, money and banking, and monetary and fiscal policy is included. The course also focuses on employment, inflation, and economic growth.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: C13
This is an introduction to microeconomics, with emphasis on the functioning of individual markets and their effectiveness for resource allocation. Topics include price and production theory, competition, labor, the distribution of income, and the theory of household behavior.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite for C11, BU310
This is a study of monetary economics with an international slant. It includes complete coverage of the financial system, behavior of interest rates, financial institution management, the banking industry and its regulation, central banking and the conduct of monetary policy, international finance, and monetary theory.
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to assure a basic level of computer applications literacy, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, email, and the Internet. The course also covers various types of computer hardware and networking methods. (This course has been designed so that access to a computer is helpful, but not required.)
Credit Hours: 3
This course presents the basics of written communication in business. It also explores differences in approach and format for various business documents, and covers techniques for planning, researching, organizing, and writing reports.
Credit Hours: 3
Semester 3
C09 - Principles of FinanceThis course provides a focused look at the management of capital in a business firm. Emphasis is placed on policies and actions relating to asset structure, risk, income, and cash flows. Operating and financial analysis are also explored.
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an overview of the structure and operations of the federal government, including constitutional principles, rights and liberties, the political process, and the relationships among the three branches of the federal government.
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides a detailed look at the various types of organizations that make up the financial industry and the markets within which these organizations operate. Topics include Federal Reserve monetary policy, bonds and interest rate risk, commercial banking, international banking, thrift institutions, finance companies, insurance companies, pension funds, investment banking, and venture capital. Money, mortgage, equity, derivatives, and international markets are also presented.
Credit Hours: 3
This course reviews the fundamentals of double-entry bookkeeping and the debit/credit method of recording transactions. The bookkeeping cycle, from recording transactions to preparing financial statements, is included. Emphasis is placed on service concerns operating as sole proprietorships.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite for BU330
This course presents the basic principles of business law as applied to contracts, personal property, sales, negotiable instruments, agency and employment, business organization, insurance and bankruptcy, and real property.
Credit Hours: 3
Semester 4
A02 - Principles of Accounting IBasic principles of financial accounting are studied as a foundation for more advanced study and vocational skill. Areas of emphasis include cash, payroll, and accounting for merchandizing businesses.
Credit Hours: 3
This is an introduction to the principles and practices of management, with emphasis on the management functions of planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling. Topics also include effective leadership and motivational techniques, communication, social responsibility and ethics, managing change and conflict, and control.
Credit Hours: 3
A continuation of the study of basic financial accounting principles as a foundation for more advanced study and vocational skill. Areas of emphasis include acquisition, depreciation, and disposal of long term assets, receivables and payables, inventory, partnerships, corporations, long-term liabilities, the statement of cash flows, financial statement analysis, and manufacturing accounting.
Credit Hours: 3
This course presents the art of analyzing financial statements and the accompanying notes, to identify the financial health of a business enterprise. The four financial statements required by generally accepted accounting principles are thoroughly analyzed and the techniques of detecting financial statement fraud are introduced.
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides in-depth coverage of investment alternatives, securities markets, risk/return tradeoffs, portfolio theory and selection, asset pricing models, common stock valuation and analysis, economy/market analysis, sector/industry analysis, technical analysis, bond yields and prices, options, futures, portfolio management, and evaluation of investment performance.
Credit Hours: 3
Ready to get started on your Finance degree? Enroll online or call 1-800-957-5412 to speak with an Admissions Advisor.