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About the B.S. in Finance Degree offered by the Robert W. Plaster School of Business

Why Study Finance at Cedarville?

Cedarville’s distinctly Christian finance degree will prepare you for a career as a financial analyst, security analyst, financial planner, or an account executive in industries such as banking, insurance, or securities. But more than just preparing for a job, at Cedarville you will discover how to be an ethical, God-honoring finance professional who will make a Gospel impact through your vocation, wherever God leads you.

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What Sets Cedarville Apart?

Program Overview

Bachelor of Science in Finance Program Highlights

Thorough Preparation – You will learn to plan for financial success of organizations and individuals by asking and answering finance-related questions such as:

  • Will this project add value to the company and its owners?
  • What is the best way to finance this project?
  • What steps would improve our bank branch’s profitability? How do I help my clients prepare for a comfortable retirement?
  • What tools can be used to select assets to place within in a diversified investment portfolio?

Comprehensive – You will be equipped to evaluate investment decisions for both organizations and individuals, manage financial institutions, and work with individuals to develop comprehensive financial plans.

Caring, Credential Faculty – You will learn from professors with advanced degrees and relevant experience who care about your growth both academically and spiritually.

Alumni Outcomes: Corbin and Sheila Edmonds – New York, New York

Alumni Corbin and Sheila Edmonds are using their Cedarville degrees to make a Gospel impact in New York City.

What Can I Do With a B.S. in Finance Degree?

Finance careers focus on financial decisions faced by business enterprises. This includes methods of raising money, debt management, investment and security analysis, real estate and insurance, and virtually all aspects of finance.

The bachelor’s degree in finance will prepare you for careers such as:

  • Financial Analyst
  • Financial Manager
  • Financial Advisor
  • Banking Officer
  • Financial Planner
  • Asset Manager
  • Security Analyst

Our graduates are working at places such as:

  • Accenture
  • Cincinnati Insurance
  • Edward Jones
  • JPMorgan Chase
  • LexisNexis
  • Speedway

Others have gone on to graduate and law school at places like:

  • Harvard
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Rochester

Placement Success

We’re proud of our successful graduates! 99% of recent graduates from the Robert W. Plaster School of Business were employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation.

Cedarville's Placement Rates

Opportunities to Learn Outside the Classroom

Student-managed Investment Fund — As a junior and senior finance major, you will gain actual investment experience by managing University endowment funds in a portfolio of equity securities in our Applied Portfolio Management course.

Key Bank Trading Center — With its electronic data ticker and live financial news, the KeyBank Trading Center offers you a realistic environment in which to explore finance and gain practical investment experience.

Internships — Internships will give you real-world experience in the finance field. Cedarville business students have been placed in internships at Northwestern Mutual, Dana Inc., and Cummins, among others.

Integrated Business Core (IBC) — This two-semester program allows you to integrate classroom learning with practical business experience. As part of the IBC, you will create a business plan and present a loan proposal to local business professionals in order to obtain necessary funding for your startup venture.

Student Organizations — You can choose to participate in business-related student organizations:

  • Student Leadership Team (SLT) – The SLT serves the Robert W. Plaster School of Business by building community among students and faculty, fostering relationships, and planning and executing events and programs.
  • Women in Business – Women in Business is an organization dedicated to helping women in professions learn more about reaching goals in careers, at home, and in service.

Program Curriculum

Building on your core liberal arts and Bible minor courses, you will take a set of core finance courses, including Investments, Money and Financial Markets and our capstone course, Advanced Financial Management. You will be able to choose from a variety of electives and explore areas of interest including financial planning, security analysis, international finance, management of financial institutions and real estate finance.

This major is offered with either a three-year or four-year completion plan.

Sample courses:

  • Applied Portfolio
  • Financial Planning
  • Investments
  • International Finance
  • Securities Analysis + Portfolio MGMT
  • Money and Finance Markets
  • Advanced Financial Management
  • Financial Institution Management

Program Format and Related Programs

Cedarville offers both graduate and undergraduate programs, with flexible completion options. You may also want to consider these related programs as you consider the degree or program that is a best fit for you.

Program Level and Format

  • Undergraduate
  • Residential
  • 3-Year Option
  • 4-Year
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From Our Students:

  • The Robert W. Plaster School of Business has taught me so much about the business world and how to incorporate my biblical beliefs into my future career. There have been quite a few opportunities for me to apply this learning to a real-world scenario, especially during my time in the IBC. The professors have encouraged me in many ways, from allowing me to ask questions to planning my future after Cedarville.
    Sarah Baab '23
    Sarah Baab
Job and Grad School Placement

Program Faculty

Photo of Jonathan Burson

Jonathan Burson, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Finance

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Photo of Jeff Guernsey

Jeff Guernsey, D.B.A.

Assistant Dean, Bus Admin Undergraduate Studies; Associate Professor of Finance

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Photo of John Tarwater

John Tarwater, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Finance

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Robert W. Plaster School of Business

Program News