Minor in Finance
Hours: 21-27 On-Campus Online
About
The Minor in Finance at Fort Hays State University provides students with a solid foundation in financial principles and practices. The program covers key topics, including how businesses raise, manage, and invest capital; how individuals and firms allocate resources across various investment options; and how financial markets function both domestically and globally. Created to enrich a student’s primary field of study, the minor builds essential financial competencies that broaden professional expertise.
Students benefit from rigorous coursework combined with FHSU’s affordable tuition, smaller class sizes, and instruction from full-time, academically qualified faculty. This personalized learning environment fosters meaningful interactions between faculty and students, ensuring they gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience necessary to succeed in the finance industry.
Why pursue a Minor in Finance at Fort Hays State University?
A combination of affordability, academic rigor, and practical relevance distinguishes the Minor in Finance. The program’s intensive training is highly regarded by employers, who value the strong analytical foundation and hands-on skills that FHSU graduates bring to the workplace. Small class sizes facilitate meaningful interaction between faculty and peers, creating a personalized and supportive learning environment.
Serving as a complementary area of study, the minor enhances students’ expertise and prepares them for long-term success in their chosen careers. On-campus students also complete the Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) program, earning Bloomberg certification. This credential demonstrates proficiency in industry-standard financial tools, providing a valuable competitive advantage in the job market.
Who is this program for?
Ideal for students who wish to enrich their primary degree with specialized financial knowledge, the minor provides a strong secondary focus that enhances graduates’ versatility and competitiveness in today’s job market.
- Students majoring in other business areas
- Aspiring financial analysts
- Entrepreneurs
- Economics majors
- Professionals in related fields
Real-World Applications
This minor prepares students for real-world financial applications by blending a solid theoretical foundation with hands-on experience. Through interactive simulations and case studies, students engage with current industry practices and tackle real-world challenges. This learning is further enriched by the Investment Analytics Lab, which provides access to Bloomberg terminals and other professional financial tools.
Through coursework that emphasizes real-world problem-solving, students develop a solid understanding of financial concepts and learn how to apply them effectively in professional settings. Graduates are equipped with the practical skills and analytical abilities needed for success in a wide range of finance-related careers.
Stay Ahead of the Curve
Fort Hays State University incorporates the latest industry developments and market trends into its curriculum, keeping students at the forefront of the financial field. Faculty integrate current events and cutting-edge research into their teaching, ensuring that the program remains relevant in today’s rapidly evolving economy.
A key feature of the minor is the Bloomberg Market Concepts certification. This self-paced tutorial deepens students’ understanding of global financial markets and the tools used by industry professionals. This forward-thinking approach equips students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, enabling them to adapt to emerging developments and emerge as strong candidates in a competitive job market.
Hands-on Activities
The Minor in Finance emphasizes experiential learning, helping students bridge the gap between theory and practice. On-campus students complete the Bloomberg Market Concepts program, a comprehensive tutorial that provides hands-on training with Bloomberg terminals. This certification strengthens their resumes by showcasing proficiency with a key tool widely used in the finance industry.
The program also offers a variety of practical learning opportunities to reinforce classroom concepts. Through simulations, case studies, and applied activities, students deepen their understanding of financial principles and develop the skills needed for success in real-world finance careers.
What You’ll Learn:
- Corporate finance fundamentals
- Investment strategies
- Financial institutions
- Economic principles
- Market analysis techniques
How You’ll Learn:
- Interactive simulations
- Case studies
- Bloomberg certification
- Hands-on projects
The core curriculum encompasses essential areas, including economic principles, managerial finance, investment fundamentals, intermediate finance, and financial markets and institutions, thereby providing a solid foundation in key financial concepts and practices. Additionally, students select a finance elective to tailor their studies to their interests, ensuring a well-rounded education that complements their major.
FIN 311: Fundamentals of Investments
This course examines the fundamental concepts of investment analysis and management. Topics include investment securities and the different types and characteristics of markets, security analysis and selection, valuation, risk and return, and portfolio theory.
FIN 405: Intermediate Finance
This course is a study of the financing decision-making and problem-solving of a corporate financial manager. Topics include working capital, risk and return, valuation, capital budgeting with uncertainty, cost of capital, efficient markets, capital structure, options, and international financial management.
FIN 641: Financial Markets and Institutions
In this course, students will study the nature, scope, and role of financial institutions in the economy, including the supply of and demand for loanable funds, the money market, capital markets, the level and structure of interest rates, and monetary, fiscal, and debt management policies.
Discover the full Minor in Finance course listing by visiting the Academic Catalog.
This minor is designed to complement a student’s primary field of study rather than function as a standalone program. While the student’s major largely shapes career opportunities, the additional expertise in finance enhances employability and broadens potential career paths.
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts evaluate investment opportunities, analyze market trends, and provide recommendations to businesses and individuals. They are crucial in guiding investment decisions and helping companies maximize their financial performance.
Entry-Level Positions in the Financial Services Industry
Students can pursue a range of careers in the financial services industry, including positions such as bank tellers, customer service representatives, and financial services agents. These roles offer valuable experience and serve as a foundation for further advancement within the finance sector.
Corporate Finance Manager
Corporate finance managers oversee a company's financial activities, including budgeting, forecasting, and investment planning. They ensure the organization's economic health and align financial strategies with business objectives.
The Best Value in Higher Education Anywhere
Fort Hays State University prides itself on quality education at an affordable price. Students in this program can expect to pay approximately $3,055.95* (on-campus) or $3,975.75* (online) per semester.
*Estimated cost based on 15 credit hours at the Undergrad resident/regional tuition rate ($203.73/credit hour) for on-campus courses, or the FHSU Online Undergrad tuition rate (265.05/credit hour) for online courses. Actual price may vary depending on course load and location. Tuition and Fees are subject to change as they are approved by the Kansas Board of Regents each year.
Ready for the next step?
Our faculty would be excited to talk to you about how our department programs can help you explore your interests and prepare you for a variety of rewarding careers.
Related Programs
Fort Hays State University offers a range of finance-related programs designed to meet diverse academic and career goals. Students seeking to broaden their expertise can explore these additional options, which provide valuable opportunities to deepen their financial knowledge and skills.
- BBA in Accounting
- BBA in Management
- BBA in Marketing
- Certificate in Accounting
- Certificate in Economics
The Minor in Finance requires a different number of credit hours, depending on the student’s major. For students pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), only 12 additional credit hours are needed, as 9 credit hours are typically already included in their degree requirements. Non-business majors must complete 21 credit hours for the minor, in addition to 6 credit hours of prerequisite courses.
The minor enhances your primary field of study with specialized financial knowledge, improves your employability, and provides practical skills applicable to various career paths.
The Bloomberg Market Concepts program is a 16-hour self-paced tutorial for on-campus students that teaches them how to use Bloomberg terminals, a crucial tool for finance professionals. Completing this program grants Bloomberg certification, enhancing your resume.
The Minor in Finance equips students to address real-world challenges by combining academic knowledge with practical experience. Through its coursework, students acquire a solid understanding of financial concepts and develop the skills necessary to apply them effectively in their professional careers.
Information about the Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting
The Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting at FHSU equips students with the knowledge and skills to manage financial resources effectively and ethically across both public and private sectors. The department offers highly sought-after degree programs in accounting, finance, and international business and economics—each designed to prepare students for versatile and in-demand career paths.
Students benefit from career-focused internship opportunities, personalized mentoring from expert faculty, and the flexibility of fully online degree options. The curriculum covers a broad spectrum of the business world, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to navigate a competitive job market.
Additionally, the Robbins Banking Institute enhances professional development in the banking sector by offering a practical, real-time curriculum tailored for rewarding careers in finance and banking. With a strong emphasis on student success and growth, the department’s faculty provides dedicated support to help each student reach their full potential.
While earning a degree remains the primary focus, college life offers much more than classroom learning. Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities that foster leadership skills, deepen their understanding of their chosen careers, and provide opportunities to make a positive impact in their communities.
- Accounting Club: This club provides accounting students with valuable opportunities to connect with peers, explore career paths, and prepare for professional success. The club helps members gain insight into the diverse opportunities within the accounting field and facilitates introductions to potential employers. Regular meetings often feature guest speakers, professionals with accounting degrees, who share real-world experiences and career advice.
- Student Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE): The ACFE organization brings together students from a variety of disciplines to promote awareness, detection, and prevention of fraud in the business world.
- Economics Club: The FHSU Economics Club is open to all students, regardless of major or prior knowledge of economics. Its mission is to promote interest in and understanding of economic concepts through engaging activities and discussions. A hallmark project of the club is the creation of the “Student Price Index,” a collaborative research initiative that explores FHSU students’ economic expectations. Each year, club members also have an opportunity to travel to a major U.S. city, enhancing their academic and professional development through real-world experiences.
- Finance Club: The FHSU Finance Club is dedicated to supporting the professional, educational, and social development of students with an interest in finance. The club fosters meaningful connections among students, faculty, and professionals in the business and finance sectors. Through guest speakers and educational trips across the U.S., members gain valuable insights into the finance industry and explore potential career opportunities.
- International Business Club: This club aims to enhance students’ understanding of global business practices and economic issues from a variety of cultural and international perspectives. Through discussions, activities, and international travel experiences, the club fosters professional, educational, and social development. Its ultimate goal is to cultivate globally minded citizen-leaders prepared to navigate and contribute to an increasingly interconnected world.
The Tiger Money Mentors Program, housed within the Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting at FHSU, is led by a faculty expert in financial planning. This initiative offers free, confidential financial guidance provided by a team of trained, financially knowledgeable student mentors dedicated to helping their peers manage personal finances effectively.
Through one-on-one sessions, Tiger Money Mentors assist students with a wide range of financial topics, including:
- Organizing personal finances and managing expenses
- Creating and maintaining a realistic budget
- Developing plans to achieve both short- and long-term financial goals
- Understanding student loans and exploring repayment options
- Reviewing job offers and employee benefits
- Obtaining and reviewing credit reports
- And more!
- Certificate
- Minor
- Bachelor's
- MBA
- On-Campus
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