Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) Finance Minor

The Finance Minor at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) offers students a focused introduction to the principles and practices of finance, enhancing their understanding of financial markets, investment strategies, and corporate financial management. This minor is designed to complement a wide range of majors, providing students with valuable skills and knowledge applicable to various career paths.

Curriculum Overview

The Finance Minor requires a minimum of 18 credit hours and provides a blend of theoretical foundations and practical applications. Students begin with foundational courses covering financial accounting and the principles of finance. These courses establish a solid base upon which more advanced topics are built. Key areas of study include:

• Financial Accounting: Learning to interpret financial statements, understand accounting principles, and analyze a company’s financial performance.
• Principles of Finance: Exploring the fundamental concepts of finance, including time value of money, risk and return, and capital budgeting.
• Investments: Investigating different investment vehicles, portfolio management techniques, and the functioning of financial markets.
• Corporate Finance: Focusing on financial decision-making within corporations, including capital structure, dividend policy, and mergers and acquisitions.

Students are typically required to take specific core courses that provide essential knowledge. Then, they can select from a range of elective courses to tailor the minor to their specific interests. Elective options may include courses focused on specific areas like financial modeling, derivative securities, or real estate finance, depending on course availability.

Benefits of a Finance Minor

Earning a Finance Minor offers several advantages:

• Enhanced Career Prospects: Regardless of your major, a strong understanding of finance is highly valuable in the business world. The Finance Minor demonstrates analytical skills, financial literacy, and a grasp of economic principles, making graduates more attractive to employers.
• Improved Financial Literacy: The minor equips students with the knowledge to make informed personal financial decisions, including saving, investing, and managing debt.
• Complementary Skill Set: The finance minor can add a quantitative and analytical dimension to other areas of study such as marketing, management, political science, or even the arts. For example, a marketing major with a finance minor can better understand the financial implications of marketing campaigns.
• Preparation for Further Study: The Finance Minor can serve as a strong foundation for students considering pursuing advanced degrees in finance, business administration, or related fields.

Eligibility and Requirements

Students pursuing any major at NEIU (excluding Finance majors) are eligible to pursue the Finance Minor. Specific course prerequisites may apply. Students should consult with an academic advisor in the College of Business and Technology for the most up-to-date information on course requirements and minor application procedures.