Pathways & Career Tracks

Entrepreneurship and Innovation provides students with interests in innovation, technology management, or entrepreneurship to pursue these interests in a variety of ways within the management major. Digital platforms have revolutionized industries from video games to health care, while related technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI ) are impacting virtually every aspect of organizational life. Given these dynamic changes, this pathway emphasizes the importance of technology and innovation in various aspects of business and entrepreneurship.

Suggested Course Offerings

• MGT 376 – Management of Technology & Innovation
• MGT 430 – Entrepreneurship
• CSC 170 – Python Programming
• ART 205 – Design Thinking & Innovative Problem Solving
• FIN 325 – Entrepreneurial Finance
• MGT 450 – Internship in tech firm or start-up

Experiential Learning Opportunities

• Donald Ryan ’69 Incubator for Entrepreneurship
• Ryan Incubator Pitch Competition
• Join the Entrepreneurship Society
• Participation in entrepreneurial ventures on or off-campus
• On-campus leadership through volunteer and student organization opportunities 

Additional Resources

Organizations and Opportunities

• Venture for America
• Echoing Green
• United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship 
• United States Small Business Administration

Media Resources

Job Board: Wellfound: 

Podcast: My First Million

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a licensed professional who works in a variety of organizations in numerous positions involving: 

• Auditing
• Taxation
• Forensic Accounting
• ESG & Sustainability
• Information Technology
• Consulting
• Controller
• Nonprofits & Government
• Business Valuation
• Personal Financial Planning
• Entrepreneurship
• Cryptocurrency

Experiential Learning Opportunities

• Accounting Association
• Pursue an internship in a public accounting firm

Additional Resources

• AICPA This way to CPA
• National Association of State Boards of Accountancy

Media Resources

ARTICLE: AI and Accountants: A new future 

VIDEO: Accounting: It’s not what you think!

A Certified Managerial Accountant (CMA) is a global certification for accountants who have mastered skills related to financial strategy, analytics, and strategic decision making. 

Experiential Learning Opportunities

• Accounting Association
• Pursue an internship in a private organization

Additional Resources

Article: Financial Managers Top the List of Most Satisfied Workers 

Article: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Accounting and Finance 

The digital marketing career pathway provides students with academic and experiential learning opportunities that will help prepare students for a variety of career opportunities within digital marketing. 

Suggested Course Offerings

• MKT 340 – Digital Marketing
• MKT 342 – Social Media Marketing

Digital Copy Writing (e.g., Display/PPC Ads, Content Marketing, Social Media, Emails) 

• ENG 101 – Writing Seminar
• ENG 161 – Introduction to Journalism
• ENG 185 – Introduction to Creative Writing
• COM 100 – Introduction to Communications
• COM 301 – Media and Society
• HIS 367 – Marketing Campaigns US History
• PSY 267 – Social Psychology

Digital Art Design (e.g., Display Ads, Social Media Ads, Websites, Email)

• ART 102 – Visual Design 3D
• ART 108 – Introduction to Desktop Publishing
• ART 289 – Bauhaus Design
• ART 205 – Design Thinking and Innovative Problem Solving
• ART 201 – Visual Communication
• COM 301 – Media and Society
• PSY 267 – Social Psychology

Digital Coding & Development (e.g., Websites, SEO)

• CSC 170 – Python Programming
• CSC 325 – Algorithms
• CSC 387 – Computer Architecture
• CSC 410 – Artificial Intelligence
• CSC 455 – Computer Security

Data & Customer Relationship Management (e.g., Marketing Automation, Analytics)

• CSC 101 – Data Processing Tools
• CSC 120 – Applied Data Analytics
• CSC 220 – Data Science Fundamentals
• CSC 424 – Database Management Systems

Experiential Learning Opportunities

• American Marketing Association
• Benjamin Family Social Media Fellowship

Available Certifications

• HubSpot Content Marketing Certification
• HubSpot Social Media Marketing Certification 
• HubSpot Email Marketing Certification
• HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification
• Google Ads Search Certification 
• Google Analytics Certification 
• SEM – SEO Fundamentals Certification

Additional Resources

• American Marketing Association
• Learn more about careers in digital marketing 

Media Resources

Podcast: The Marketing Careers Podcast 

Article: So, You Want a Career in Marketing 

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook people who are in sales roles sell goods and services or connect buyers with sellers in a specific market, such as real estate or securities.  The professional selling career pathway provides students with academic and experiential learning opportunities that will help prepare students for a career in sales.

Suggested Course Offerings

• MKT 310 – Personal Selling
• MKT 311 – Sales Management
• TDF 102 – Intro to Oral Communications orCOM 103 – Intro to Public Speaking
• TDF 203 – Fundamentals of Public Speaking
• MGT 374 – Negotiations
• PHL 306 – Business Ethics
• PSY 267 – Social Psychology
• PSY 321 – Industrial Organizational Psychology 
• COM 100 –- Introduction to Communication

Experiential Learning Opportunities

• Friar Sales Showcase
• American Marketing Association
• Sales Internship

Suggested Certifications

• HubSpot Sales Software Certificate
• HubSpot Inbound Sales Certificate
• TechTarget Data-Driven Sales Development Certification

Additional Resources

The Ultimate Guide to Professional Development Sales

The National Association of Sales Professionals 

Students pursuing the Finance Quantitative Track (FINq) engage in a curriculum that places greater emphasis on the quantitative aspects of finance, utilizing advanced computational tools and mathematics to enhance their analytical skills. Selected students complete core finance courses as a cohort in courses utilizing computer software that may include Python, advanced Excel and/or other relevant technological tools. Additionally, the elective courses within FINq are designed to further enhance students’ analytic capabilities. The ultimate aim of FINq is to prepare students for excelling in the dynamic fields of investment banking, sales and trading, private equity, credit analysis, wealth management, and risk management.  

Entry into the track

Finance majors can apply for the Finance Quantitative Track (FINq) in their first semester of their first year. Candidates with high scores in AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Economics, AP Computer Science, or those who have achieved over 650 in SAT Math or over 27 in ACT Math are particularly encouraged to apply. 

2024 Application Timeline

• Last week of August – Information Session
• September 15 –  Application Distributed
• September 30 – Application Deadline
• October 7 – Notification Date

Required Course

• Cohorted FINq quantitative sections of the following:
  • FIN 207 – Managerial Finance I
  • FIN 218 – Financial Markets and Institutions
  • FIN 308 – Managerial Finance II
  • FIN 317 – Investments
• FIN 475 – Financial Modeling
• One or more of the following:
  • FIN 440 – Options and Futures
  • FIN 444 – Financial Analysis and Valuation
  • FIN 445 – Portfolio Management
  • FIN 495 – Student Managed Investment Fund I
  • FIN 417 – Fixed Income Securities

Please note these courses have prerequisites.

Suggested Courses

• CSC 103 – Introduction to Computer Science
• ECN 214 – Introduction to Econometrics with Computing Lab
• Additional FIN, CSC, MTH, and/or ECN courses as recommended by your advisor

Required Experiential Learning

• Membership in the Finance Society
• Two or more of the following
  • FIN 450 or BUS 450 – Finance or Business Internship
  • Wall Street Interview Bootcamp
  • Wall Street Prep
  • Student Led Asset Management (SLAM)
  • Student Managed Investment Fund (FIN 495)
  • Huxley Capital
  • CFA Research Challenge (FIN 444)
  • Arcadia London (Fall) or Global Academic Ventures Asia Pacific Study Abroad with internship (Spring)
  • London School of Economics Summer or Junior Year Abroad

For further information about FINq, please contact program director Professor Matthew Callahan or Dr. Edward Szado.  

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, financial managers direct investment activities, develop plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization, and create financial reports. Financial managers work in many industries, including banks, investment firms, and insurance companies, as well as nonfinancial corporations, private businesses of any size, and nonprofits. 

The Financial Management and Management Accounting Track is offered jointly by the Department of Finance and the Department of Accountancy. Students who wish to pursue a career in financial management, such as carers in corporate financial planning and analysis (FP&A) and treasury management, or management accounting can enroll in the courses listed for this track and augment their education by participating in co-curricular activities. 

Students interested in a career in financial management or management accounting are encouraged to pursue the Certified Management Accountant, or CMA®, designation that is granted by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). The IMA requires CMA candidates to pass two exams and offers a limited number of scholarships to Providence College students who wish to take the exams. CMA scholarship recipients receive a free IMA student membership for three years, materials to prepare for the CMA exam, and waived registration fees for their first attempt on both parts of the CMA exam. For further information on the benefits of the CMA, including enhanced earning potential and networking opportunities, see the CMA website.

Required Courses

Please note these courses have prerequisites.

• ACC 301 – Cost Accounting
• FIN 308 – Managerial Finance II
• FIN 317 – Investments
• ACC 350 – Accounting Information Systems
• FIN 420 – Corporate Treasury Management

Suggested Courses

Please note these courses have prerequisites.

• FIN 419 – International Finance
• FIN 422 – Commercial Credit Risk Analysis
• ACC 310 – Intermediate Accounting I

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Required to complete one of the following:

• FIN 450 or BUS 450 – Finance or Business Internship
• Membership in Finance Society
• Membership in Institute of Management Accountants

Additional Career Related Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook: Financial Managers 
• O*NET: Financial Managers 
• FinanceJobs.net: Corporate Finance Manager 
• Association of Finance Professionals: Corporate Finance Jobs 
• Institute of Management Accountants: Management Accounting Careers 

For more information about Financial Management and Management Accounting, the CMA or the CMA scholarship program, please contact Professor Brenda Canning, Dr. Michael Shafer, or Dr. Stephen Perreault. 

According to the  Occupational Outlook Handbook, wealth managers “Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.”  

Investment management involves building portfolios for clients to achieve specific investment objectives and generate good investment returns. Investment managers manage portfolios of assets that include stocks, bonds, mutual fund shares, and other financial securities. Students interested in a career in investment management can enroll in the courses in the Investment Management Track and augment their education with co-curricular activities. Students should also consider sitting for the Charted Financial Analyst (CFA) Level I exam. 

 Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level I 

The Providence College Bachelor of Science degree in Finance has been accepted into the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program. This status is granted to institutions whose degree programs embed a significant portion of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), including the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, into their curriculum. It positions PCSB finance students well to sit for the CFA Level I examination. The Charted Financial Analyst designation (earned after successful completion of CFA Levels I, II, and III exams and required work experience) has become the most respected and recognized investment credential in the world. A number of faculty in the finance department are a CFA designation and can provide useful guidance should you choose to pursue this designation.  

Required Courses

Please note these courses have prerequisites

• ACC 310 – Intermediate Accounting I 
• ACC 311 – Intermediate Accounting II 
• FIN 417 – Fixed Income Securities 
• FIN 440 – Options and Futures 
• FIN 445 – Portfolio Management 

Required Experiential Learning

• Membership in the Finance Society 
• Two or more of the following:
  • FIN 450 or BUS 450 – Finance or Business Internship 
  • Wall Street Interview Bootcamp 
  • Wall Street Prep 
  • Providence College Student-Led Asset Management – SLAM 
  • Student Managed Investment Fund (FIN 495) 
  • Huxley Capital  
  • CFA Research Challenge (FIN 444) 

Additional Career Related Resources

• CFA Institute: Investment Industry Career Paths  
• O*NET: Financial and Investment Analysts 
• Financial Management Association 
• Learn more about wealth management careers and outcomes 

Media Resources

• Podcast: Guidehouse – All Things Financial Management 
• Article and Video: Financial Management Explained: Scope, Objectives and Importance 

For more information about the Investment Management Track contact Professor Paul Scanlon. For information regarding the availability of CFA scholarships, contact Dr. Vivian Okere.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, risk managers “analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.” 

According to the Corporate Finance Institute, risk management is the identification of, analysis of, and response to risk factors affecting a business. Effective risk management involves both reducing the possibility of an adverse event occurring and minimizing an adverse event’s potential impact.  

Industries that utilize risk managers include commercial banking, insurance, investment banking, commercial real estate, financial services consulting, and the list is only growing. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth is expected to be 19% through 2026. To assist students interested in these fields, the finance department is proud to be one of the few programs that offers a risk management track at the undergraduate level.  

The risk management track is offered in partnership with the Risk Management Association (RMA) of the USA and prepares students to sit for the RMA’s Credit Essential Course examination, which is offered as part of FIN 422. Students that pass the exam are granted the Credit Essentials Certificate, showing that the student has proven their commercial credit risk knowledge and skills and differentiating them from other job candidates when they seek employment in banking. The partnership with the RMA opens unique opportunities to PC students interested in this field, including resources to find risk management internships. The track is guided and supported by the Risk Management Track Task Force, which is comprised of senior executives from Boston’s leading financial firms. 

Required Courses

Please note these courses have prerequisites.

• FIN 417 – Fixed Income Securities 
• FIN 440 – Options and Futures 
• FIN 427 – Enterprise Risk Management 
• FIN 422 – Commercial Credit Risk Analysis 

Suggested Courses

• FIN 320 – Insurance and Risk Management 
• FIN 445 – Portfolio Management 

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Required to complete one or more of the following:

• FIN 450 or BUS 450 – Finance or Business Internship 
• Membership in Finance Society – Sigma & Swans (Risk Management Club) 

Opportunities Within Risk Management

Freeman Award for Excellence in Risk Management

In 2021, the Providence College School of Business established the Freeman Award for Excellence in Risk Management. Sponsored by the School of Business Dean’s Office, this award recognizes up to two undergraduate seniors who have demonstrated both academic excellence and active engagement in the field of risk management. Any questions regarding this award or the nomination process can be directed to the PCSB Dean’s Office. 

Partnership with Saint John’s University (NY)

The School of Business also has a partnership with Saint John’s University’s (NY) Master of Science programs in Risk Management and Risk Analytics, Actuarial Science, and Enterprise Risk Management. This partnership provides priority consideration and a tuition discount to risk management track graduates. 

Additional Career Related Resources

• CFA Institute: Risk Analysts and Risk Managers 
• O*NET: Financial Risk Specialists 
• Corporate Finance Institute: Market Risk Analyst, Credit Risk Analyst, Operational Risk Analyst 
• Global Community for Risk Professionals – The Risk Management Society (RIMS) 
• Podcast: RIMSCAST 
• Article: Risk Management Careers – A Professional Guide to Follow 
• Video: Building a Career In Risk Management 

For more information about the Risk Management Track, contact  Dr. Arati Kale, Professor Kevin McMahon, or  Dr. Vivian Okere.