Finance

Finance Honors Track

Finance Scholars of Distinction represent the top finance majors who complete the department’s Finance Honors Track, an advanced sequence of four honors sections within the core finance curriculum. These small, discussion-driven courses offer a more rigorous academic experience, emphasizing applied learning and deeper engagement with financial concepts. Beyond the classroom, participants gain valuable professional development opportunities. Students who successfully complete the Finance Honors Track are recognized with honors cords at commencement and celebrated as seniors at the Department of Finance’s annual Alpha Awards Dinner.

Selection

The courses within the Finance Honors Track are available by invitation only to a select cohort of finance majors enrolled in university- or college-level honors programs. Eligible students are invited to apply during the fall semester of their second year, prior to the opening of their course registration window.

Finance Honors Track Timeline

The following timeline outlines the recommended progression through the Finance Honors Track:

  • FINC 308 during spring semester of sophomore year
  • FINC 427 and FINC 428 during fall semester of junior year
  • FINC 457 during fall semester of senior year

Course Descriptions

The Finance Honors Track consists of the following four honors courses:

FINC 308: Honors Financial Management

  • This accelerated version of FINC 306 is offered to students earlier in their academic careers to prepare them for the competitive finance internship and job market.
  • Students who achieve a C+ or better in this course receive priority registration for subsequent Finance Honors Track courses.

FINC 427: Honors Investments and Portfolio Management

  • Building on the foundation from FINC 308, this honors version of FINC 425 provides discussion-based lectures and advanced curriculum. Assessment heavily focuses on Excel projects using actual financial data to perform real-world financial problem solving,

FINC 428: Honors Financial Statement Analysis

  • This honors version of FINC 420 builds on FINC 308 through discussion-based lectures and advanced curriculum, emphasizing Excel-based three-statement financial modeling.

FINC 457: Honors Financial Management Theory and Practice

  • An honors version of FINC 455, this course builds on foundational material from earlier courses, featuring discussion-based lectures, advanced curriculum and group projects focused on analyzing the strategic motivations and valuation impact of major corporate decisions.