Finance Department

About Us

The department of finance is a major unit within the College of Business Administration, justified by the strong student demand for majoring and concentrating in finance.

The department aspires to be a leader in the areas of the financial services industry that are centered in Chicago. This is accomplished by research-oriented faculty emphasizing the most innovative and fastest developing areas of finance, including risk management, insurance, derivatives, real estate, banking and global financial markets.

Our Teaching Mission:

  • Provide strong professional training for careers in finance.
  • Be the primary source of undergraduate students to the financial services industry in the Chicago area.
  • Expand the department's MBA course offerings in recognition of being among the preeminent concentration in that curiculum.
  • Introduce curriculum specializations, primarily at the undergraduate level, designed for specific areas of the financial services industry such as global finance, derivatives, risk management, insurance, real estate, government finance, banking and portfolio strategy.
  • Use contemporary information technology in the learning process.
  • Draw upon other departments for interdisciplinary teaching areas, including accounting, information technology and actuarial science.

Our Research Mission

  • Recruit and develop a critical mass of research-oriented faculty.
  • Support research activities through establishment and operation of research centers.
  • Enhance the availability and use of databases for research in finance through initiatives like WRDS.

Our Service Mission

  • Interact with and support the financial services industry through the research centers.
  • Support the profession through such activities as editorships, committee memberships and other academic or professional activities.
  • Develop continuing education courses and programs in conjunction with the financial services industry, particularly in Chicago.
  • Provide pro bono advice and counsel to not-for-profit organizations in connection with external programs.