Investment Banker Education Requirements
Investment bankers help people invest their money wisely and assess their financial needs properly. Earning a bachelor's degree in an area like accounting or business is the typical requirement, though you may also want to earn a master's degree. Licensure is required for some investment bankers. Explore the requirements in greater detail here, and get info about online education options in this field.
What Are the Education Requirements for Investment Bankers?
<p>As an investment banker, you are eligible to work in financial institutions helping consumers make decisions about investing in stocks, bonds, securities and mutual funds. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), those who are interested in financial service sales usually need a bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance or another related area (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). It is also acceptable to hold a bachelor's degree in any area along with a Master's of Business Administration (MBA). Depending on the type of investments you would like to work with, you may also need a license.
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<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Minimum Required Education</b></td><td> Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related area</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td> Economics, marketing, mathematics, accounting, financial reporting</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Learning Environment</b></td><td> Traditional classroom and fully online degree programs are available</td></tr>
<tr><td><b> Median Salary (2020)</b> </td><td> $134,180 (<i>for all financial managers</i>) </td></tr>
<tr><td><b> Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 15% growth (<i>for all financial managers</i>) </td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
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<h3 id="section---WhatClassesWillITake">What Classes Will I Take?</h3>
<p>If you are just starting out, completing a bachelor's degree program with a focus in business is one option. Many colleges and universities offer a variety of programs that can prepare you for this career, and you can earn your degree in as little as four years. Although program requirements vary between schools and majors, you can expect to complete some general education requirements in areas of math, science, history, humanities and literature. You can also expect to complete several fundamental business classes such as financial management, accounting, marketing and economics. The remainder of your program requires taking classes in your area of focus. For example, if you are an accounting major, you may find classes like financial reporting, accounting information systems and taxation in your curriculum.
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<h3 id="section---CanIEarnMyDegreeOnline">Can I Earn My Degree Online?</h3>
<p>You can easily find online programs in this field of study at accredited universities. Extensive hands-on experience is usually not required for earning this degree since you most likely receive on-the-job training after graduation. You should find that most online programs are very similar to programs offered on campus. You are able to study at home and submit tests and assignments to your teacher electronically. Technical requirements usually include access to a computer, e-mail and the Internet. Other classes may require you to have certain software to complete your work.</p>