Overview
As a CFA® University Affiliate, we prepare students for careers in investments through coursework related to the program and help them develop knowledge in studies related to real estate, risk management, insurance, and business law. Our vision is to be recognized among the Top 20 departments of finance at public universities for excellence in the production, dissemination, and application of financial knowledge.
Our faculty has compiled a strong record of excellence in research and teaching, creating exciting educational opportunities for our students. Additionally, major media outlets seek out our faculty members often because of their expertise in the financial world.
The Department of Finance offers the following:
- Bachelor of Science in Finance
- Math as a Second Discipline
- Master of Science in Finance
- Accelerated Master of Science in Finance
- JD/MS in Finance
- PhD in Finance
Students in finance have multiple opportunities to participate in various groups and organized events, including:
Students in finance can take advantage of our innovative, challenging, and high quality learning experiences, including the Securities Markets Analysis Research & Trading (SMART) Lab. Complete with Bloomberg terminals, the SMART Lab is a simulated trading floor that students use to research firms and to advise the LSU Foundation on how to invest in LSU’s Tiger Fund.
Bachelor of Science in Finance
A 120-hour program that focuses on how individuals, businesses, and organizations acquire and utilize capital (i.e. money). Two basic elements of finance include the tradeoff between expected returns and risk and the importance of timing of future cash flows.
Master of Science in Finance
A 36-hour program of non-thesis course work that is intended to be a full-time, three-semester program. Students are required to successfully complete at least 18 hours of finance courses, including three required courses.
Accelerated Master of Science in Finance
An accelerated program, allowing students to accumulate graduate credit while still pursuing an undergraduate degree in finance and earn both in four or four-and-a-half years, is also available.
JD/MS in Finance
Students may also pursue a JD/MS in finance, offered concurrently with the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center.
PhD in Finance
A curriculum that teaches students how to critically analyze the extant literature and empirical evidence of the theory of finance to devise and execute new research and to demonstrate functional knowledge of finance through effective teaching.
CFA® University Affiliation
CFA® University Affiliation recognition provides a signal to potential students, current students, and the marketplace that the E. J. Ourso College's curriculum is closely tied to professional practice and is well suited to preparing students to sit for the CFA exams. Because of this partnership, LSU is able to offer a CFA Capstone class, which helps students prepare for the Level I CFA exam, and CFA University Affiliation scholarships for all levels, which greatly reduce the cost of the exams.