Focus Areas

Applied Finance and Economics

Milan P. Sigetich, Program Coordinator

The Certificate in Applied Finance and Economics (CAFE) is jointly offered by the School of Business and the Department of Economics. The program is open to all students. In size and scope, the certificate is between a minor and a major. To be awarded this certificate, students must meet CAFE program requirements and requirements for a BA or BS degree at SOU (or the transfer equivalent). A majority of credits for the CAFE must be taken at SOU.

The purpose of the CAFE is to provide students with an opportunity to combine selected finance and economics courses into a coherent area of study. The CAFE program integrates courses from the two disciplines, synthesizing the broad theoretical subject overview and applications provided in economics with the practical and applied areas emphasized in finance.

The CAFE program is intended to equip students with a base of analytical methods and tools used in finance and economics and to develop their ability to critically and quantitatively apply those tools to actual problems encountered in the workplace. To meet these goals, students must select elective courses from one of five focus areas tailored to their career interests.

The CAFE program requires completion of 36 credits, consisting of five required courses and four electives from one focus area. All courses taken for the certificate must be completed with a grade of C or better and a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Required Courses (20 credits)

Note: Completion of BA 282, Mth 243, or Ec 332 is suggested prior to taking BA 385.

Electives (16 credits; see Focus Areas to determine choice)

Note: To receive credit, students must secure advance approval for the practicum from the CAFE program coordinator.

Focus Areas

The 16 units of elective credit must be selected from one of the following focus areas:

Financial Services

For students interested in banking, brokerage, insurance, and related fields: Ec 318, BA 470, Ec 332 or Ec 333, Ec 378, Ec 320 or BA 473.

Financial Analysis

For students wishing to work in the corporate financial environment: BA 471, Ec 332 or Ec 333, Ec 378, BA 473, Ec 364.

Economic Analysis

For students interested in performing economic analysis for banks, larger corporations, government agencies, or similar entities: Ec 318 or BA 470, Ec 319, Ec 320 or BA 473, Ec 332, Ec 333, Ec 378.

Public Sector

For students interested in public sector or nonprofits such as planning departments and intergovernmental agencies: Ec 319, Ec 318 or BA 470, BA 471, Ec 320 or BA 473, Ec 332 or Ec 333, Ec 364.

General

For students who are undecided about a career or who prefer broad exposure: Ec 318 or BA 470, Ec 319, Ec 320 or BA 473, Ec 332 or Ec 333, BA 471.