Finance Department

Do I Want to Study Finance, Insurance or Real Estate?

Do you enjoy number, analysis, and "real world" applications? Old Dominion University offers a financial management degree with a choice of studies (tracks) in finance, real estate or insurance and financial services.

What Careers are Available in Finance, Insurance and Real Estate?

Finance graduates are qualified for corporate financial management positions, such as financial analysts, capital budgeting managers, credit managers, or a position in cash control or risk management; portfolio management positions, such as securities analysts, account executives or portfolio manager/analysts; bank management positions, such as lending officers, marketing officers or a financial analysts; or as entrepreneurs operating their own businesses. (02-04 Curriculum Sheet) (04-06 Curriculum Sheet)

Real Estate graduates are employed in positions as real estate appraisers, real estate sales and leasing agents, property managers, developers and lending officers. (02-04 Curriculum Sheet) (04-06 Curriculum Sheet)

The Insurance and Financial Services track prepares students for a variety of careers related to insurance, risk management, employee benefits, and personal financial planning with frequent exposure to industry professionals and internship opportunities. For details about these careers, see The Profession. For details about the required courses, go to Curriculum Sheet, select the catalog year that applies to you, then select the Insurance track under Finance to display the curriculum sheet.

What Will I Study?

Finance majors have a choice of course offerings depending on their focus. The Finance track includes courses in financial management, financial decision-making, investments, portfolio management, banking and international financial management. Real Estate majors take courses exploring real estate finance, real estate appraisal, real estate investment analysis and real estate market analysis. Students majoring in insurance and financial services study life and health insurance, employee benefit planning, property liability insurance and risk management. Students also complete a group of core business courses offered in the College of Business and Public Administration and selected general education courses required by the University. Finance majors may minor in numerous subjects throughout the University.

What Educational Opportunities are Available Beyond the Classroom?

In conjunction with the Old Dominion Career Advantage Program, numerous companies in the Tidewater area offer internships. Students are encourages to earn academic credit for their participation in these programs as well as valuable experience in preparation for careers.

The Old Dominion University Student Chapter of the Financial Management Association (FMA) offers on-campus professional programs, trips to corporations and financial exchanges (i.e., the New York Stock Exchange), and the opportunities to interact with students with similar career objectives and professionals in the areas of finance, banking, insurance and real estate. Students joining the group become members of the national FMA which provides them with educational and career-oriented materials.

For further information, please contact Dr. Mohammed Najand, Area Coordindator at 757-683-3501 or mnajand@odu.edu.