A Nichols College student discussing his presentation on the effects of young investors on the stock market with a professor in a classroom on campus.
Academics Undergraduate Programs Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

BSBA in Corporate Finance and Investments

at Nichols College

Ever wonder how businesses grow, invest and build long-term value?

Our comprehensive bachelor’s degree in corporate finance and investments will prepare you to make critical decisions about how businesses raise and invest capital.

Our program combines rigorous academics with hands-on experience using official Bloomberg Finance Lab equipment through our student-led investment fund. You’ll graduate with a complete understanding of the fundamental concepts of real estate, finance and foreign investment—and the experience to put your insights into action.

Close-up exterior of a Nichols College brick building with a large arched window, with a vibrant yellow fall foliage tree visible along the campus sidewalk

Why Study Corporate Finance and Investments at Nichols College?

Pursuing a degree in corporate finance and investments at Nichols College means joining a program designed from the ground up to meet today's demanding employer needs. Here's what sets our program apart:

Investing Experience

Practice real portfolio management with actual market positions through our student-managed investment fund, which provides top preparation for your career

Technical Skills

Use the same financial tools used by Wall Street professionals and obtain Bloomberg Market Concepts Certification

High-Reward Field

Gain an edge in a field known for exceptional return-on-investment and impressive post-graduation earning potential

Professional Connections

Engage with professionals and secure meaningful internships through our career contacts, hands-on employer experiences and alumni network that's 16,000+ members strong

Worcester County Location

Benefit from strategic access to New England's financial corridor while getting the personal attention of a close-knit campus community

Plus, our program is AACSB-accredited—only six percent of institutions worldwide are accredited by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Experiential Learning at Nichols College

Hands-on, experiential learning is a key component of a Nichols education. Every business student completes an internship, a professional certification and a research, experiential or consulting project before they graduate. Add holistic professional development to that hands-on foundation, and you get real results—95% of recent graduates secured jobs or entered graduate school within six months. All from a college ranked top 10 nationally among undergraduate business schools for mid-career salary potential and best value.

A Nichols College student intern assists with an event at historic Fenway Park in Boston.

Student-Faculty Projects

From assisting with faculty research and teaching to working on an advanced project with your professor, there are many ways to extend your learning beyond the classroom at Nichols.

Learn More About Experiential Learning at Nichols.

Student-Run Opportunities

Whether you’re managing the Thunder Fund, working with Bison Consulting clients, helping run the Nichols Dudley Hill Golf Course Club and Bison Den or pitching ideas to companies, you’ll build career-ready skills.

Learn More About Student-Run Opportunities.

Holistic Professional Development

Build confidence and vital soft skills through experiences that take you into the community, paired with public speaking practice, networking etiquette and signature leadership development.

Learn More About Professional Development at Nichols.

Study Abroad

Take your education global through faculty-led trips, international internships, semester abroad programs and short-term travel that let you earn Nichols credits while expanding your worldview.

Learn More About Study Abroad (Study Away).
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Careers in Corporate Finance and Investments

A BSBA in corporate finance and investments builds knowledge in how companies manage money, make financial decisions and evaluate investments, leading to opportunities in banking, corporate budgeting, financial planning and related fields.

Career possibilities include:

  • Personal financial advisor
  • Commercial lender
  • Budget analyst
  • Portfolio manager
  • Financial analyst
  • Auditor
And More
Two Nichols College students in professional attire laughing together at a career and internship fair booth

Meet Your Faculty

Christine Beaudin

Chair, Finance 508-213-2445

Brendan Williams

Assistant Professor of Accounting 508-213-2166

Karin Curran

Chair, General Business 508-213-2170

Michael Forte

Chair, Accounting 508-213-2260
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Corporate Finance and Investments Program

What makes the Nichols College corporate finance program different from other programs in Massachusetts?

Our corporate finance and investments program stands out through its student-managed Thunder Fund, where you manage real investment portfolios for two semesters—experience most programs only simulate. Our Bloomberg Finance Lab provides the same professional terminals used on Wall Street, and small class sizes ensure personalized mentorship from faculty with industry experience. With our campus being located in Central Massachusetts, you’ll benefit from proximity to Boston’s financial district while enjoying lower costs and a tight-knit campus community. Nichols was ranked top 10 nationally among undergraduate business schools for mid-career salary potential and best value, demonstrating our program’s strong ROI.

What kind of internship support does Nichols College provide for corporate finance and investments students?

The Nichols career services team works directly with students to identify internship opportunities. Our connections with employers provide access to positions at investment firms, banks and wealth management companies. Faculty members leverage their industry networks to connect students with internship opportunities, and the annual Career Fair brings finance employers directly to campus. We also provide résumé reviews, interview preparation and networking coaching specifically tailored to finance careers. Many students secure internships through relationships built during Thunder Fund presentations and Bloomberg certification programs.

What certifications can I earn as part of the corporate finance and investments degree?

Corporate finance and investments students earn the Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) certification, demonstrating proficiency with Bloomberg terminals—a credential recognized by financial employers worldwide. You can also pursue the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) certification, reflecting expertise in sustainable investing practices that are increasingly valued across the industry. These certifications are integrated into your coursework at no additional cost and appear on your professional credentials.

Corporate Finance and Investments Courses

Required Courses

Analysis of long-term corporate financial decisions, including capital budgeting, cost of capital, leverage, dividend policy, debt and equity financing, working capital management, business combinations, and international finance.

A study of investment principles and techniques including the investment environment, evaluation of securities, current practices in the securities/investments industry, and the formulation of investment objectives.

This course introduces students to portfolio management based on theory and best practice techniques of investments. Students will gain a comprehensive knowledge of portfolios and a set of tools designed to assist them in the investment decision-making process. Students will be exposed to the basic theories of managing a portfolio of financial assets within the risk-return framework.

This course will provide students the knowledge to build a DCF model to aid them in evaluating potential investment opportunities. Students will be in charge of rebalancing the existing portfolio, assessing risk, and ensuring that the portfolio is in compliance with the IPS. Students will engage in real world and hands-on experience in security analysis and portfolio construction and management through the management of the Nichols College Student Managed Investment Fund.

This course provides students with real world and hands-on experience in security analysis and portfolio construction and management through the management of the Nichols College Student Managed Investment Fund. Students will be jointly in charge of the investment decisions of the fund and the overall composition of the portfolio. Each student will perform various quantitative and qualitative analysis of individual securities, industries, and the overall portfolio.

A capstone course which expands upon corporate finance and investment concepts. Includes exposure to advanced financial theory. The case method of instruction challenges student teams to understand, evaluate, and solve real world business problems.

*It is recommended that students enroll in FIN 472 Thunder Fund I prior to FIN 473 Thunder Fund II. However, it is not required.

Elective Courses

choose two additional courses from the following options:

An intensive course designed to broaden and strengthen the foundation laid in the introductory courses. Accounting principles are analyzed and applied in the preparation of financial statements, utilization of time value of money concepts, and examination of cash, short-term investments, receivables, and inventories. Includes computer applications.

This course will cover the basics of how to write computer programs in Python. Topics will include data types, loops, strings, lists, methods, graphics and GUI interfaces. Time permitting, we will discuss tools for data analysis. In class instruction will focus on case studies tackling business applications.

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and analytical methods used for making residential and commercial real estate finance and investment decisions. Students will gain a fundamental, real-world understanding of returns on capital with a focus on expected growth along with market and project-specific risks. Students will develop hands-on experience building financial Pro Forma Statements using a multi-year discounted cash flow analysis which will include tax implications, depreciation, capital gains and losses.

An introduction to the financial issues that impact the lives of average people every day. The course covers money management, the rudiments of investing, personal tax, the fundamentals of life, health and property insurance, the tradeoffs between risk and return in investing, home ownership and mortgages, the pitfalls of consumer debt, retirement planning, and estate planning.

This course introduces basic concepts of futures, swaps and options that are frequently used by institutional investors and experienced individual investors for investment and speculation. Students will learn how these products work, how they are used, how they are priced, and how financial institutions hedge their risks then they trade the products.

An intensive program of work experience with a business or corporation. Combines both experiential learning with traditional academic work through required term essay and presentation of internship results to an appropriate class. Internship course specifications and "learning contract" forms are available through the Office of Career Services. Students interested must be of junior or senior standing and have a 2.5 grade point average.

Global interconnectedness is an extremely important reality today. Global interconnectedness influences our individual lives every day. Very few enterprises can today insulate themselves from the influences of global developments. A main goal of this course is to develop an understanding of the international dimensions of our economy. Students will become acquainted with the economic analysis of the foundations of international trade and the impacts of trade on domestic and global economies. Impediments to trade are analyzed, such as tariffs, quotas, and market power of megacorporations. The course includes a study of global finance, the balance of payments, world debt, exchange rates, and the international monetary system. Contemporary real world issues and problems are emphasized.

*FIN-490: Finance Internship requires approval by the Program Chair

Free Electives

12 credit-hours of electives

NOTE: All courses are 3 credit-hours unless otherwise noted and may meet only one degree requirement.

EXCLUSION: Students cannot pursue a double concentration in Finance and Corporate Finance & Investments.

Interested in Learning More?

Join us at one of our upcoming campus events in Dudley, MA, or schedule a campus visit. You can also contact our Admissions team to discuss your academic goals and how Nichols can help you reach them.