Westminster's Financial Services Program

Why Study Financial Services?

If you choose to study financial services, you will be prepared for a variety of careers including those in investments, insurance, banking consulting and financial planning. The changing nature of the financial services industry calls for highly qualified practitioners with exceptional skills, broad knowledge and a commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards.

Why Choose Westminster's Program?

The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ Certification Education Program at Westminster prepares practitioners in many ways for the opportunities and the demands of work in this arena. The overall program is designed to give students the foundation and knowledge base needed to be eligible to take the CFP® Certification Exam. The curriculum for our program is registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. and fulfills the educational requirements to sit for the CFP® Certification Exam conducted three times per year by the CFP Board (March, July and November.) Our program also includes a final capstone course that focuses on cases and the application of the knowledge acquired during previous coursework.

Unique combination of theory and practice

The theoretical and practical aspects of finance are integrated to provide students with critical thinking skills and analytical tools as a foundation for life-long learning. Instructors, within the program, have real world professional experience and credentials combined with their academic qualifications.

The Center for Financial Analysis

One of the premier finance labs in the country is located at Westminster College. This state-of-the-art facility gives students an unparalleled opportunity to work with global real-time global market data. Real-time data sources combined with in-class training and the latest software programs give students the necessary tools to engage in a variety of sophisticated financial analyses and modeling.

D.A. Davidson Fund

Westminster participates in a regional college investment portfolio challenge sponsored by D.A. Davidson. Each college is given $50,000 to invest over the course of the school year. Students learn how to do investment research and portfolio management as they make real stock transactions with actual dollars.

Quality of Education

The combination of small class sizes, personal attention, instruction quality, professor accessibility, real world applications, and sophisticated analytical tools will maximize your educational experience and will prepare you a career in financial services.

Course offering breadth and depth

Westminster’s financial services major includes an expanded course offering to give students more options and flexibility in customizing their education. Course offerings include: Investment and Analysis, Corporate Finance, Personal Financial Planning and Insurance, Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits, and a Cases in Financial Planning course. In addition, we offer a preparation class for the Series 7 Exam - Securities Regulations and Trading.

Practice/experience courses

Students are required to complete an internship or equivalent practical business experience as part their education.

Nationally accredited

The Gore School of Business is nationally accredited by the Association of College Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP.)

What are the Financial Services Program Learning Goals?

Students completing the bachelor degree in Financial Services will:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the key functions of financial planning: financial planning principles, income tax planning, personal risk management, estate planning, investments and retirement planning and employee benefits.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of economic and financial concepts, analytical tools, and the theories and models used to make personal financial management decisions.
3. Demonstrate the ability to apply critical and analytical thinking to complex financial problems and support the recommendations with rational justification and appropriate research methodology.
4. Develop the ability to communicate effectively utilizing appropriate written, oral and electronic competencies related to the financial planning profession.

How can I learn more?
Contact the program director, Lauren Lo Re, at 801.832.2648 or email llore@westminstercollege.edu