EIU Finance Program

Why Choose Finance at EIU?

• Our Finance program is listed as a CFA Institute University Recognized Program.  https://www.cfainstitute.org/about/universities/university-affiliation#sort=%40titlewithfallback%20ascending
  • The Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) credential is the professional standard of choice for more than 31,000 investment firms worldwide. When hiring leading firms demand investment professionals with real-world analytical skills, technical competence, and the highest professional standards, often requiring the CFA credential for consideration.
  • In order to become a CFA chart holder you need to enroll in the CFA Program (https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/programs/cfa), pass three levels of CFA exams, and have four years of professional work experience in the investment decision-making process.
  • We offer student scholarships to significantly reduce the cost of the CFA level I exam. ( https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfa/scholarships/student)
• Our Finance program offers a Bachelor of Science Major Finance Financial Planning Concentration, which is a CFP Board Registered Program. You can find us at  https://www.cfp.net/become-a-cfp-professional/find-an-education-program
  • The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation is a professional certification mark for financial planners conferred by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board  https://www.cfp.net/home )in the United States, and by 25 other organizations affiliated with Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB), the international owner of the CFP mark outside of the United States.
  • There are four requirements to become a CFP Professional: finish education coursework; pass the CFP® Certification Examination; 4000+ hours of work experience; and adhere to the high standards of ethics and practice.  https://www.cfp.net/become-a-cfp-professional/cfp-certification-requirements
  • Our Bachelor of Science Major Finance Financial Planning Concentration is a six-course curriculum that prepares you to sit for the CFP exam.
• Our Finance program provides you opportunities to manage real money portfolios.
  • The FIN 4220 students manage a portfolio with a market value of $1,000,000 as of August 2024.
    • We report to the Eastern Illinois University Foundation.
    • The portfolio finished 3rd in the 2021 G.A.M.E. competition (Undergraduate Core Category), 2nd in the 2018 G.A.M.E. competition (Undergraduate Growth Category), 2nd in the 2016 G.A.M.E. competition (Undergraduate Growth Category), and 3rd in the 2013 R.I.S.E. competition (Undergraduate Growth Category.)
  • The Student Investment Society, a Registered Student Organization, manages a portfolio with a market value of $39,000 as of August 2024.
    • Student-led weekly meetings.
    • Open to all majors.
    • The portfolio finished 1st in the 2012 R.I.S.E. competition (Undergraduate Growth Category.)