Finance

Phone: 843.953.8100
Weishen Wang, Chair

About the Department

The Department of Finance is responsible for the finance major, commercial real estate finance major, finance and real estate minors, and finance and real estate concentrations.

The faculty members in the department have expertise across many areas including investment, corporate finance, international finance, banking management financial modeling, commercial real estate finance, development and valuation. While active in research, the faculty are most devoted to teaching, priding themselves on interacting directly with students.

The department strives to educate and graduate ready-to-work students. To serve this goal, it tailors the curriculum to the real world. Through the course offering, the department also supports students to take external certificate exams such as CFA level I exam or CFA Investment Foundation certificate exam, ARGUS certification exam, etc.

The department promotes internship opportunities, and is proud that many of its students land great jobs after graduation. The department proudly houses School of Business Investment Program and Carter Real Estate Center (CREC).

The School of Business Investment Program provides students with the opportunity to invest and manage real money. If you are interested in this unique program, please contact Dr. Mark Pyles, director of the School of Business Investment Program, or visit the program website.

The Carter Real Estate Center (CREC) builds relationships with the Charleston real estate community to support our students’ professional development and provides employers with responsible real estate professionals. If you would like to know more about the Center, please contact Dr. Mark Buono (buonom@cofc.edu), interim director of the Carter Real Estate Center.

Bachelor of Science in Finance

After graduation, the students in finance can choose from an array of careers. They can carry a variety of job titles such as compensation officer in human recourse department, account managers in investment firms, property managers, portfolio managers, financial advisors, loan officers, financial analysts, insurance underwriters, CFO, and others.

The finance program fulfills three primary objectives by providing students a broad exposure to concepts, theories, analytical techniques and applications.

The content of the curriculum will provide students the opportunity to examine all facets of a financial system, either in part or whole.
Students will be exposed to theories and concepts and will learn how to apply in realistic financial environments.
Majors receive a solid foundation for graduate study of professional certification programs in finance.

A degree in finance will prepare students for work in business, financial institutions, financial markets, and international finance, as well as in government agencies, educational institutions, and consulting organizations. Those working in the financial industry provide valuable assistance in analyzing and interpreting firm cash flows and values, market cycles, government policies and international developments on currencies, financial systems and financial conditions. Such analysts and interpretations are vital to the successful operation of business firms.

Finance Concentration and Minor

The finance concentration or minor provides a non-finance major with a basic understanding of the finance. The business administration majors receive an area of concentration in finance. Students with other non-finance major receive the minor in finance. Finance concentration or minor includes courses in business finance, financial modeling, financial institutions/markets, and investment foundation as well as the economic and legal framework of financial activities.

Graduates with a minor in finance typically specialize in corporate finance or financial services. Careers in corporate finance include treasurers, comptrollers and financial analysts. Careers in financial services include investment management, banking, real estate, insurance, and financial advisory services.

Bachelor of Science in Commercial Real Estate Finance (CREF)

The CREF major will give students theoretical knowledge and practical application of different real estate concepts. The focus will be on general application (commercial, industrial, and residential) and those of particular utility (historic preservation, hotel development, sustainability, and urban planning). The major gives students an expanded knowledge and skill set that strongly complements the liberal arts tradition of the College, as well as the existing degree programs and concentrations offered at the School of Business. Together, these knowledge bases and skill sets can result in capable, ready-to-work graduates.

Real Estate Concentration and Minor

Mark Buono, Interim Director, Carter Real Estate Center (843.953.8121)

Adam Swalley, Assistant Director, Carter Real Estate Center (843.953.5247)

The real estate concentration and minor at the College of Charleston prepares students for career positions in the commercial real estate industry, including: investment opportunity analysis, investment and leasing brokerage, development, banking, valuation and appraisal, market analysis and asset management. The concentration requires 18 credit hours to complete.

In addition to coursework, the program sponsors an active Real Estate Club that offers numerous out-of-classroom learning experiences to give students opportunities to enhance their “real world” knowledge. The program also offers access and exposure to many of software packages currently used to make real estate valuation decisions including ARGUS and CoStar.

Also, see notes under section for School of Business.