Fitchburg State University will launch a new bachelor’s degree in finance in 2027, combining rigorous financial and economic theory with hands-on, project-based learning. The new major was approved Tuesday, Sept. 29 by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.
The new program will prepare graduates for high-earning roles across the financial sector, including market analysis, corporate finance, and financial advising.
"This is the kind of academic change that makes me excited about Fitchburg State's future," said University President Donna Hodge. "North Central Massachusetts needs a higher education ecosystem that connects local students to affordable degrees and employers to the talent they need. A finance major strengthens that connection. Our economics and business faculty have built a rigorous, applied program on the courses and expertise already here, making wise use of our resources while giving students a degree with clear value in the Massachusetts economy. I'm grateful to Acting Provost Franca Barricelli, the faculty who developed this major, and the Board of Higher Education for its support. Their work makes Fitchburg State a stronger choice for students and a more responsive partner to our region."
The new program, approved by the university’s Board of Trustees earlier this year, will be housed in the university’s Economics, History and Political Science Department, and was developed by faculty in that department in collaboration with the Business Administration Department.
Acting Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Franca Barricelli said the program’s interdisciplinary foundation will be one of its strengths.
"Modern finance demands more than technical fluency — it requires an understanding of how economic policies, political changes, and cultural shifts deeply influence global markets and financial decisions,” she said. “Our curriculum equips students to integrate quantitative thinking with these broader insights, empowering them to act thoughtfully in a rapidly evolving global economy."
The 42-credit major will be composed of courses offered in the university’s economics and business programs, along with new courses in investment analysis, financial statement analysis, and corporate finance. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the financial sector will create over 900,000 jobs per year over the next 10-year period, exceeding average industry growth in the U.S. Jobs in the finance sector also tend to be well paid, with the average finance major earning $60,000 with a bachelor's degree directly out of college, according to Glassdoor.
“Through hands-on coursework utilizing analysis, experiential learning, and other active learning strategies, our students gain the exact technical and critical-thinking skills demanded by employers,” said Professor Christa Marr of the Economics, History and Political Science Department, and one of the designers of the new major. “Whether they aspire to work in corporate finance, investment analysis, or risk assessment, students will graduate fully prepared to excel from day one.”
Professor Andrew Chan of the Business Administration Department said students will benefit from the program’s commitment to support and community connection.
“From personalized faculty advising and first-year retention workshops to strategic community partnerships and internships with regional financial institutions, we want every student to feel a true sense of belonging and see a clear, attainable pathway to a successful professional future,” he said.