An online associate degree in finance may provide students with the skills and training to work in various financial settings. In these two-year programs, students may study economic and business trends, recommend investments for clients, and evaluate investment opportunities. Coursework within these programs may include several general education requirement classes in addition to core courses, such as money and banking, financial statement analysis, and economics.

Graduates may either seek entry-level employment or pursue additional education with a baccalaureate program. Graduates of these associate-level programs may also seek employment options in numerous fields, including securities and commodities, investment, and finance.

Program Overview

• Prerequisite: High School Diploma or GED
• Program Length: Two years to complete
• Post-Grad Options: Entry-Level Employment or Bachelor’s Program
• Projected Employment Growth: 23% (2010-2020)*

Program Coursework

The curriculum within an associate-level program in finance may include a handful of general education courses interspersed with major-specific ones. Students may study the accounting information system, roles of financial managers, and financial state of businesses. Core financial courses may include the following:

• Financial Accounting
• Microeconomics
• Money and Banking
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Investments
• Economics
• Financial Management

Career Options

Associate-level graduates of online finance programs may pursue employment options in a variety of fields, including investment, securities and commodities, brokerages, and insurance. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for those in finance are expected to increase by 23% from 2010-2020*.

Possible careers include:

• Financial Planner
• Investment Banker
• Financial Analyst
• Commercial Banker
• Insurance Representative

Continuing Education

Individuals who complete an online associate degree program in finance may either seek entry-level employment in a financial field or further their education and enroll in a baccalaureate-level program in finance. These four-year programs may be available in conjunction with business administration programs and may provide students with additional training about financial theory, investments, and credit analysis. Most employers prefer to hire those who have at least a bachelor’s degree, although those candidates who seek advanced positions may benefit from a graduate degree.

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook