Have you been considering looking for accredited finance degree programs in Kentucky? Though Kentucky might be better known throughout the country as the home to the Kentucky Derby, the Bourbon Trail and where the famous Hatfield and McCoy feud took place, the state is also known for its excellent educational opportunities. Scattered throughout the state are world-class institutions of higher learning and several of them offer accredited finance degree programs at the graduate level. If you are someone who is seeking out accredited finance degree programs in Kentucky, one of the following schools and programs might be well suited for your needs:

Kentucky State University

College of Business and Computer Science

The College of Business and Computer Science at Kentucky State University has an academic environment that focused on problem solving, critical thinking, service to the community and experiential learning. Class sizes at the college are small as they believe this helps students become more successful. Additionally, there is a large focus put on values and ethics. The faculty at the college are fully dedicated to teaching and commit themselves to encouraging and mentoring students to be the next generation of business leaders. The school currently offers graduate and undergraduate accredited finance degree programs in Kentucky as well as several minor options.

Master of Business Administration, Finance Option

The College of Business and Computer Science offers an MBA program with a finance option. This brings the best of both worlds to interested students. They will get all of the benefits of earning an MBA with coursework that is devoted to finance. Students will be given the skills and knowledge they need to enter into the workplace as a leader. The program is designed to give students a solid education and allows students to bring in their own interests, such as finance, in order to focus on a concentration. This is done by allowing students to take a series of elective courses in place of traditional MBA courses. In order to complete the program, students will need to complete a total of 30 credit hours made up of core and elective courses. Full time students typically finish in two years.

Accreditation

  • The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
  • The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS COC)

Contact
Kentucky State University
School of Business
400 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 597-6708
Email: B.School@kysu.edu
Website: http://kysu.edu/academics/college-of-business-and-computer-science/school-of-business/masters-of-business-administration/

Murray State University

Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business

The main goal of the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business at Murray State University is to promote the success of their students. The college does this by encouraging a strong relationship between students and faculty members. Within this relationship, the student’s mind can be molded into that of a business leader, and they will become fully prepared to enter into the workforce. In addition to the focus on teaching, the college also focuses on research. Many faculty and staff members conduct their own business research or are a part of others. Students are often invited to join and assist, helping this college become an outstanding learning environment. The college offers two accredited finance degree programs in Kentucky.

Master of Business Administration, Accounting Option

The Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business offers an MBA with a concentration in accounting. The goal of this program is to give the student a solid graduate education in business, and allow them to focus on their accounting interests. Students will have the option to take classes in person on campus or classes can be taken online. The curriculum is flexible which makes either program ideal for working adults who are looking to enhance their knowledge in the workplace. The program is also quite diverse with many international students accepted annually.
In order to achieve an MBA from Murray State University, students will need to complete 30 credit hours. Out of those 30, 21 of them will be core MBA classes. The rest will be electives and in the case of an accounting concentration, will be made up of accounting courses. Graduates with an MBA from Murray State typically enter the workforce as accounting professionals and are prepared to enter into a doctoral program.

M.S. in Economics with Emphasis in Finance

Another option that students have at Murray State University is to get a master’s degree in economics with an emphasis in finance. With this degree, students will be able to enter directly into a Ph.D. program at another institution. Many students who go through the program also will take the exams to lead them to a CFA designation.
For students to be successful in this program, it is recommended that they have a strong undergraduate background in statistics, calculus and economics. If students don’t have a strong enough background, they will be allowed to take undergraduate courses in order to get that experience. There are both a thesis track for students in this program as well as a non-thesis track. Students will need to complete 30 credit hours for both tracks in order to successfully graduate.

Accreditation

  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS COC)

Contact
Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business
Murray State University
109 Business Building
Murray, KY 42071
Telephone: (270) 809-4181
Email: cob@murraystate.edu
Website: http://www.murraystate.edu/business.aspx

Northern Kentucky University

Haile/US Bank College of Business

The Haile/US Bank College of Business at Northern Kentucky University is focused on providing students a world class education in business, accounting, finance, marketing and more. They offer both undergraduate and graduate programs. Students are given traditional classroom teaching at the school. They are also encouraged to go out into the community and interact with business leaders. The school offers internship opportunities, a large alumni network and over the years has built up relationships with companies in the area. In addition to that, there are study abroad opportunities, co-ops and research opportunities available to all students at undergraduate and graduate levels.

Master of Accountancy

One of the graduate programs available from the Haile/US Bank College of Business is the Master of Accountancy. This program has been designed to enable students to analyze and interpret financial data for businesses. It is also designed to prepare students to take the CPA exam and to continue their education at the doctoral level. There are two different concentrations that students can choose from when they choose to enter the master’s program in accountancy, one for those who have an accounting background from their undergraduate studies and the other for those who don’t have a background in business or accounting. Core classes are offered to students who do not have an accounting background. Many courses are offered in the evening as the university understands the needs of working adults who are interested in enhancing their education.

Accreditation

  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
  • The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS COC)

Contact
Northern Kentucky University
Haile/US Bank College of Business
Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Phone: (859) 572-5165
Email: salyerb@nku.edu
Website: http://cob.nku.edu/graduatedegrees/accountancy.html

University of Kentucky

Gatton College of Business and Economics

The Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky is fully committed to providing their students the tools they need to become savvy, focused and determined business leaders. The college focuses on giving their students the best possible background in the business field by offering them a number of opportunities such as internships, interaction with local businesses and a very large alumni network. The college offers undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. degrees in a number of majors. With an emphasis on the global marketplace and immersive programs, the Gatton College of Business and Economics is not only one of the best in Kentucky, it is one of the best in the nation.

Master of Science in Accounting

The master’s degree in accounting from the University of Kentucky is a fairly new, re-vamped program that is state of the art. The curriculum in this program has been designed to not only prepare students for the CPA exam, but to also prepare them to enter into the workforce or continue their education.
The faculty at the school are highly respected in their field, and many have published works and articles in some of the most prestigious accounting journals in the world. In addition to that, many faculty members are practicing CPAs that help to bring real world experience and situations right into the classroom.
Candidates for the program will need at least 20 credits in accounting from an undergraduate course load. Those who don’t will need to take accounting core courses before starting the graduate level classes. Most students who go through this program while studying for their CPA exam have great success now and in the future.

Master of Science in Economics

The college also offers a master’s degree in economics. This program will allow students to learn advanced economic theories while remaining in a flexible program that will allow them to work and take classes at the same time. This course of study will prepare students for employment in business, government and even in non-profit organizations. Other students will continue their education in economics or in a similar field.
In order to be a successful graduate of this program, students will need to take on a minimum of 30 credit hours. These hours are made up of several core courses as well as a handful of electives that students can choose from. Students will also be required to pass a final exam and keep a B average in their graduate classes before they will officially earn their degree.

Accreditation

  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS COC)

Contact
Gatton College of Business & Economics
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0034
Phone: 859-257-1306
Email: ukmba@uky.edu
Website: http://gatton.uky.edu/mba/

A career in finance can be exciting and lucrative. It can also open up opportunities for you throughout the state, the country and even the world. Before starting out, however, you have to obtain the right training. If you are seeking out accredited finance degree programs in Kentucky, one of the above programs may be the perfect fit.