Stark State College's financial services certificate prepares students for entry-level roles in banking and financial services by building foundational skills in accounting, financial services, and applied mathematics. Designed as a standalone credential and a seamless pathway into the associate degree in finance, the program also supports career advancement for banking professionals pursuing securities sales certification.
Major code: 2010 Business, Engineering, and Information Technologies Division Accounting and Finance Department
The catalog in force is assigned to students based on the academic year they first applied to the college, and changes only when students change their major or request the change in writing. Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-28.
2026-27 Catalog
Effective Summer 2026
Some courses listed within the program may require a prerequisite or co-requisite.
Pre/Co-requisites will be listed within each course hyperlink below.
Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-04 and 3357:15-13-05
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | ||
| ACC132 | Financial Accounting 1 | 4 |
| BUS221 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| FIN110 | Personal Finance | 2 |
| FIN221 | Investments and Securities | 3 |
| FIN227 | Financial Markets and Institutions | 3 |
| Non-technical | ||
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| ACC130 | Business Law and Ethics | 3 |
| AOT226 | Spreadsheet - Microsoft Excel | 3 |
| BUS124 | Business Analysis | 3 |
| MKT121 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| Total Hours | 31 | |
- 1
Student may elect to take ACC121 Introduction to Accounting prior to taking this course.
The classes in this certificate also apply toward the completion of a Finance Degree (2400).
Full-time Student Advising Notes
Academic Advising
Students should make an appointment to see their advisor before registering for classes each semester. They should have prepared a completed registration form, including courses they wish to take, prior to this meeting.
Course Sequence
The semester-by-semester listing below provides the normal scheduling option for students seeking a one-year certificate.
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| ACC130 | Business Law and Ethics | 3 |
| BUS124 | Business Analysis | 3 |
| ACC132 | Financial Accounting 1 | 4 |
| BUS221 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| AOT226 | Spreadsheet - Microsoft Excel | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| FIN110 | Personal Finance | 2 |
| MKT121 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| FIN221 | Investments and Securities | 3 |
| FIN227 | Financial Markets and Institutions | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 31 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of how money and banking impact financial institutions.
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of investing options including relative risk and return.
- Interpret and apply laws and regulations in business settings and understand the ethical implications of business decision making.
- Apply appropriate mathematical concepts to business decisions.