Academic Advising

Overview

Finance can best be defined by relating it to other areas of study. It is closely related to accounting in the sense that it relies on the use of accounting information to arrive at financial decision. Finance is related to economics in the sense that it is a study of the allocation of resources within the business firm. The study of finance gives students a unique understanding of the current financial and economic conditions, special insight into the functioning of the stock market, and overall knowledge making the student a better consumer.

The major in finance has been designed to provide the student with concepts and techniques of financial analysis. Through the use of accounting information and the basic understanding of financial theory, majors are taught how to arrive at financial decisions and make financial projections in the business world. The finance program combines coursework concentrating on financial management, investment analysis, and financial markets to prepare students for positions with major corporations and small business enterprises, stock brokerage firms, governmental agencies, commercial banks, investment banks, insurance companies or other financial institutions.

For your planning purposes, refer to a projected four-year (PDF | 173 KB) plan for the finance major. Many factors will affect the actual course scheduling, but this will provide a general plan of study.

Registration

Finance majors may schedule advising appointments beginning the first day of class for the upcoming semester. Appointments are scheduled online on the Undergraduate Programs website. Advising is required every semester. Please schedule your advising appointment around your class schedule. Students who no-show scheduled appointments will not be permitted to schedule a second appointment and will have to be advised on the walk-on make up day scheduled toward the end of each semester.

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Internships

Finance majors may earn academic credit by completing an internship with a firm or government agency and preparing an in-depth research paper. Students are responsible for setting up their internships. Internships may be paid or non-paid, working at least 30 hours per week for a minimum eight week period and no other coursework may be taken during the semester the internship is being completed.

Study Abroad

The Terry College offers a number of study-abroad programs for finance majors. For details, contact Holly Alderman or see Study Abroad at Terry. For UGA programs, see the Office of International Education's information on study abroad. Students may be advised via email and cleared for registration for the upcoming semester while attending a study abroad program.

If the program is not a UGA-sponsored program, it is important to list the enrolled courses when emailing the advisor. For fall semester advising, students should email the advisor in February. For spring semester advising, students should email the advisor in September.

Leadership Certificate

The Terry College offers a Certificate in Leadership for undergraduate students. Information is available from the college's Institute for Leadership Advancement.

Interdisciplinary Certificate in Music Business

The Terry College and the Hodgson School of Music offer a Music Business certificate to students interested in the music industry. More information is available from UGA's Music Business Program.

Pre-Law Preparation

Pre-law students should attend a pre-law orientation offered in fall and spring semesters. Orientation, as well as other general information, is available through the Vice President for Instruction's Pre-law Advising Office. Keep in mind - when taking upper-level FINA courses, majors should take advantage of their professors' office hours. (Recommendation letters are often better when the professors know the students on an individual basis rather than as just another face in class.)

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