Accredited Online Finance Degrees in Virginia [2024 Guide] - Best Finance Bachelor's, Master's and MBA Programs in Virginia

Study Finance in Virginia

Whether you want to become a personal financial advisor, a wealth management specialist, a Chief Financial Officer, or something in between, you can find the educational programs you need in Virginia.

In fact, many Virginia colleges and universities offer online options that allow you to build the necessary skills whether you live in Virginia or not. With an online education, you can enjoy the flexibility and convenience of earning your degree from home with the high-quality curriculum and qualified professors that on-campus students enjoy.

This guide explores some of the popular options that are worth your consideration for studying finance. In each instance, you’ll find well-formed curriculums and opportunities for real-world learning. So, with that, let’s have a closer look at four popular online finance degrees in Virginia!

Online Finance Degrees in Virginia

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online finance degrees in Virginia:

Liberty University
Old Dominion University
Regent University
William and Mary University
Southern New Hampshire University
University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVA Wise)
UMass Global
Capella University
Grand Canyon University

Liberty University

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Data Analytics and Finance

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Data Analytics and Finance from Liberty University is a 120-credit program requiring four years of full-time studies to complete. Each course in this program is 100 percent online with no on-campus requirements. Furthermore, each course is in an accelerated 8-week format, so you’ll complete your classes faster yet do so while taking fewer classes at a time.

Liberty University offers other benefits, too. For example, you can transfer up to 75 percent of the total credits needed to complete this program. This allows you to maximize the value of previously earned credits while still earning a degree from an accredited and respected institution.

Of the 120 credits needed to graduate, a minimum of 39 must be in the general education category. Liberty University requires you to complete at least 12 credits in Communications and Information Literacy courses, 3-6 credits in Technological Solutions and Quantitative Reasoning, and seven credits in Critical Thinking. You’re also required to take three credits in Civic and Global Engagement, six credits in Social and Scientific Inquiry classes, and eight credits in Christianity and Contexts.

After that, you’ll complete Major Foundational Courses. The number of classes you have to complete depends on the courses you’ve already taken. If, for example, you’ve completed a business-related associate’s degree, you might only need to take one or two Foundational Courses. However, if you haven’t studied business, you might have to take up to 15 credits in Foundational Courses. These classes include the following:

Intermediate Business Computer Applications
Introduction to Business Research Methods
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Organizational Behavior and Management
Principles of Microeconomics

The next component of this program is 36 credits of Major-Area Requirements. Naturally, this is where you’ll gain knowledge and skills specific to finance and data analysis. For example, you’ll take a 300-level Financial Statement Analysis class in which you’ll learn how to critically evaluate financial reports and use the information contained therein to make more informed decisions.

As another example, you’ll take a 300-level Finance Principles course that explores major financial theories, techniques, and applications. Likewise, you’ll take classes in Managerial Principles, International Business, and Principles of Marketing. Coursework in Operations Strategy, Human Resources Management, and Business Analytics for Decision-Making is also required.

The Data Analytics and Finance concentration further requires 18 credits of focused coursework in accounting and business. You’ll take Intermediate Financial Accounting I, Money and the Financial System, and Investments. Classes in Forecasting and Predictive Analytics, Real Estate Finance and Investment, and Advanced Financial Management are required as well.

The final group of courses you’re required to complete are free electives. These courses can be selected from any undergraduate program. Depending on your credit status, you might need as few as nine elective credits or as many as 24.

You can start the application to Liberty University online at any time. Complete the following steps to apply:

Submit an undergraduate application for admission and a $50 application fee.
Submit official high school transcripts or GED scores.
Provide official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
Provide evidence of English language proficiency if English is not your native language.

Old Dominion University

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Finance

Old Dominion University’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in finance focuses on the real world applications of finance in the business industry. This program examines principles of financial management, including investments, banking, international finance, and portfolio management over the course of 120-126 credits.

While this is a four-year program, you can shorten the timeline needed to graduate by taking extra classes each fall and spring or taking classes during summer sessions. Doing so can reduce the time needed to complete the degree by a semester or more.

As is the case with any undergraduate degree, you must complete a sequence of lower-division general education requirements that help you build essential college-level skills. You’ll take courses in written and oral communications to become a more confident speaker and writer. You’ll take classes in human behavior, too, which will help you understand why people behave the way they do. Coursework in philosophy, ethics, literature, and technology is also required, each of which offers a unique perspective into the human experiences of the past, present, and future.

Other general education course categories you’re required to complete include the following:

Math
Language and Culture
Human Creativity
Interpreting the Past
Literature

You’ll follow your general studies with a business administration core that explores both broad and specific business topics that are essential for studying finance. Introductory courses like Principles of Financial Accounting and Principles of Managerial Accounting are among the first classes you’ll take in this major. You’ll also take Business Analytics I and II, Principles of Macroeconomics, and Principles of Microeconomics.

These courses are supplemented by more specific upper-division studies. These classes have a much narrower focus on a specific business topic. For example, you’ll take a 300-level Managerial Economics class that explores economic theory, methodologies, and managerial decision-making processes. You’ll also take a 300-level course in Introductory Financial Management that covers the processes of financial analysis, planning, and control in the context of business enterprises.

The business core requires studies in broader fields, too. You’ll take management classes like Business Policy and Strategy, operations-focused classes like Operations Management, and technology classes like Principles of Information Technology, too. Likewise, coursework in the Legal Environment of Business is required.

The upper-division finance concentration examines topics such as Risk Management and Insurance, International Finance Management, and Financial Decision-Making. You’re also required to take courses in Investments and Intermediate Financial Management. Old Dominion requires you to take at least 12 credits of electives. How you complete these electives depends on your situation.

For example, you must take an upper-level finance, accounting, or economics class chosen from the following:

Introduction to Futures and Options
Student-Managed Investment Fund
Selected Topics in Finance
Money and Banking
Management of Financial Institutions
Intermediate Accounting I or Managerial Accounting

Then, you’ll choose two courses in the finance, risk management, or real estate niches. For example, you might take Introduction to Futures and Options as your finance option, Principles of Risk Management and Insurance as your risk management option, and Real Estate Finance as your real estate option. You’ll round out your credits by taking a free elective of your choice.

The admissions requirements are as follows:

Submit an online application and a $50 application fee.
Submit official high school transcripts or GED scores.
Submit ACT or SAT scores (unless you choose the test-optional track).

Old Dominion also strongly encourages you to submit a personal statement, multiple letters of recommendation, and an activity resume.

Regent University

Master of Business Administration in Finance and Investing

Regent University’s Master of Business Administration in Finance and Investing is a 42-credit fully online program that prepares you to work in many different financial institutions and wealth management settings. You’ll learn how to provide financial planning services, gain competency in evaluating global and domestic financial markets, and allocate capital to improve financial gains.

This program, which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), usually takes two years to complete. Prior to beginning the program in earnest, you must take one graduate introductory course. You can choose between Foundations for Business and Leadership or Information Research and Resources. The Foundations class explores essential topics that help you become a better business person and leader. The Information Resources course, on the other hand, introduces you to modern technologies you can use to examine financial markets to make well-informed financial decisions.

Once you complete your choice of introductory course, you’ll start on 30 credits of core coursework. These classes run the gamut from a simple MBA orientation to help you get your bearings in the program to a Corporate Accounting class that teaches you basic and advanced principles of financial accounting for businesses.

Additionally, you’ll take classes like Corporate and Personal Ethics to gain a better understanding of your role as an ethical financial professional. The Managerial Economics requirement fosters the development of improved decision-making skills based on economic data. The Managing People course helps you develop an entirely different set of tools pertaining to leadership in a business or organization.

Other core coursework required for this degree is as follows:

Innovation and Technological Success
Marketing Management
Strategic Management of Organizations
Corporate Finance
Operations and Supply Chain Management

Furthermore, a Business Planning and Launch class is required to help you appreciate the process of building a business from the ground up.

The finance concentration courses comprise the last component of this program. In total, you’ll take four classes for 12 credits in finance, including the following:

Data Analysis for Decision-Making
Financial Planning
Financial Analysis
Portfolio Analysis

As a result of your studies, you’ll have a host of sought-after skills that make you more employable. For example, you’ll understand how to develop portfolio and investment strategies that maximize clients’ financial returns. You’ll also be able to analyze the performance of businesses and organizations as well as market trends to determine if investment in the company is appropriate.

Furthermore, you’ll have the capacity to make ethical decisions, collect and analyze financial data, and conduct financial research, all of which are skills that will help you perform your job at a higher level. With a credential like a master’s degree, you can also seek higher-paying jobs with more responsibilities than are typically available for bachelor’s-level workers.

You can apply to Regent University’s graduate school year-round online. You must complete the following steps to apply:

Submit your application for admission.
Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Provide official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
Submit a copy of your government-issued ID.

William and Mary University

Master of Science in Finance

The Master of Science in Finance from William and Mary is yet another viable option for getting an advanced finance degree in Virginia. The 32-credit program requires you to complete eight classes, each of which is 7.5 weeks long. This accelerated format means you finish each class in about half the time as a traditional course, but you take fewer classes at a time to maintain a manageable workload.

In most cases, this program requires 16 months to complete. However, you can take longer to finish the program as work and life obligations dictate. This online program also offers the flexibility of three start dates per year, so you can start your studies in August, January, or May, depending on what works for your schedule.

The curriculum includes core coursework and electives. The core finance courses explore areas like Financial Statement Analysis and Modeling, which increase your ability to pull information from financial reports and improve your financial decision-making abilities. You’ll also take a Principles of Finance class that focuses on how individuals and businesses analyze investment opportunities and generate the capital to fund them.

Other core coursework explores similarly specific finance topics, including the following:

Advanced Corporate Finance
Corporate Valuation and Credit Analysis
Investments
Applied Investment Management

The elective component explores other areas of finance based on your specific interests. For example, you might take a Behavioral Finance class to learn more about how individuals, businesses, and organizations make financial decisions. Or, if you’re interested in financial markets, you might take a Money, Banking, and Financial Markets class that explores the market economy, financial markets, and financial institutions and how they are interrelated.

But, let’s say you’re interested in real estate. You can take a Real Estate Finance class that examines how to manage the financial risk of residential and commercial real estate investment. Or you might enroll in a Real Estate Investment class to explore how real estate can be used for life companies, pensions, and foreign investors to improve their financial standing.

One of the benefits of William and Mary’s program is that you have access to robust career development services. You can get assistance with job searches and interview preparations. You can also network with other professionals and speak with program alumni who can help mentor you as you get ready to graduate and explore your career options.

By completing this degree at William and Mary, you’ll have the qualifications to explore many different careers. You might seek employment as a portfolio manager or financial manager. Alternatively, you could become an actuary or a corporate controller. Other options include working as a finance officer, a finance and insurance manager, or even a chief financial officer.

You must complete the following steps to apply:

Complete the application for admission and pay the required fee.
Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
Provide any other required materials (e.g., resume, curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation, personal statement) as required.

Southern New Hampshire University

Online Bachelor of Science in Finance

Though Southern New Hampshire University’s physical campus is not located in Virginia, its extensive online campus is accessible to you from anywhere in the world. This includes SNHU’s Bachelor of Science in Finance program.

This ACBSP-accredited program requires you to complete 120 credits to earn your degree. SNHU has an exceptional transfer credit policy, allowing you to transfer up to 90 credits toward this program. Additionally, the university offers a BS-to-MS pathway in finance, enabling you to complete both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years, provided you start without any undergraduate credits.

The curriculum of this program includes a sequence of general education courses, known as “The Commons,” which are designed to equip you with essential college-level skills necessary for academic and professional success. You’ll need to complete 42 courses in this portion of the curriculum.

Another 30 credits are required in the Business Core, covering a broad range of introductory and advanced business topics to help you develop a comprehensive skill set for a finance-related career. Some of the courses you’ll take include:

Financial Accounting
Managerial Accounting
Business Law
Managing and Leading in Business
Critical Business Skills for Success

Advanced courses such as Principles of Finance will also be part of your studies, focusing on corporate financial discipline and executive decision-making skills. A course on People, Planet, and Profit will evaluate business operations and strategies for improving quality, efficiency, and effectiveness.

You must also complete 21 credits within the Finance Core. This includes seven classes that cover various finance topics and applications. For instance, you’ll study Corporate Finance, which explores managerial-level financial decision-making, including capital structure decisions, capital budgeting, and applied managerial decision-making.

A course on Financial Markets will examine macroeconomic forces in global financial markets, teaching you about regulatory authorities, risk management, and mutual funds.

Other courses in the Finance Core include:

Multinational Corporate Finance
Fundamentals of Investments
Financial Regulations and Ethics
Investment Portfolio Analysis

A finance capstone course is also required. This course serves two purposes: to evaluate your finance skills and abilities, and to provide an opportunity to integrate and apply your knowledge in a case study, preparing you for a finance career after graduation.

You have the option to take three finance electives or choose a concentration. A Financial Planning concentration is available, which prepares you to become a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). This concentration focuses on helping individuals achieve their financial goals through estate planning, investments, retirement planning, and more.

To apply as a first-year student, you must meet the following requirements:

Complete the online application for admission.
Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.

What is the Best Degree to Get into Finance?

The best degree to get into finance depends on your career goals and interests within the field. However, several degrees are highly regarded and provide a solid foundation for a career in finance. Here are some of the top degrees that can help you enter the finance industry:

Finance: A bachelor’s degree in finance is the most direct path into the field. This degree covers essential topics such as financial management, investment analysis, financial markets, corporate finance, and financial planning.
Accounting:A degree in accounting provides a strong foundation in financial reporting, auditing, and taxation. Accounting graduates are well-equipped for roles in corporate finance, financial analysis, and auditing. Many finance professionals start with an accounting background.
Economics: An economics degree offers a broad understanding of economic theories, market behavior, and financial systems. It is particularly valuable for roles in economic analysis, policy-making, and financial consulting.
Business Administration:A degree in business administration with a concentration in finance combines a broad business education with specialized finance courses. This degree is versatile and prepares graduates for various roles in finance, management, and consulting.
Mathematics or Statistics: Degrees in mathematics or statistics are beneficial for roles that require strong quantitative and analytical skills, such as financial analysis, risk management, and quantitative finance.
Computer Science: With the growing importance of data analysis and financial technology (FinTech), a computer science degree is increasingly valuable. It prepares graduates for roles in financial modeling, algorithmic trading, and financial software development.
Data Science: A degree in data science focuses on data analysis, machine learning, and statistical modeling. This degree is particularly relevant for roles in financial analysis, risk management, and quantitative trading.
Management Information Systems (MIS): An MIS degree combines business and technology education, preparing graduates for roles that involve financial systems management, financial data analysis, and IT project management in finance.

Which Certification is the Best for Finance?

Several certifications are highly regarded in the finance industry, each catering to different career paths and specializations. Here are some of the most recognized and respected certifications in finance:

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

The CFA designation is one of the most prestigious certifications in the finance industry. It is ideal for professionals seeking careers in investment management, research analysis, and portfolio management. The CFA program covers a broad range of topics, including ethics, quantitative methods, economics, financial reporting and analysis, corporate finance, equity investments, fixed income, derivatives, and alternative investments.

Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

The CFP certification is designed for those who want to work in personal financial planning. It covers topics such as retirement planning, investment strategies, tax planning, estate planning, and insurance. CFP professionals are trained to help individuals manage their finances and achieve their financial goals.

Financial Risk Manager (FRM)

The FRM designation is tailored for professionals specializing in risk management. It focuses on identifying, assessing, and managing risk in financial institutions. The FRM program covers risk management in investment management, corporate finance, market risk, credit risk, and operational risk.

Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA)

The CAIA certification is aimed at professionals interested in alternative investments, including hedge funds, private equity, real estate, and commodities. The CAIA program provides specialized knowledge in alternative investment strategies and their risk and return characteristics.

Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

The CMA certification is geared towards professionals working in corporate finance and management accounting. It covers financial planning, analysis, control, decision support, and professional ethics. CMAs are skilled in cost management, budgeting, and internal financial analysis.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

While traditionally associated with accounting, the CPA designation is also valuable in finance, particularly for roles involving financial reporting, auditing, and taxation. CPAs are experts in financial analysis, compliance, and strategic financial management.

Accredited Online Finance Degree Programs in Virginia [2024 Guide]