The BBA Finance concentration at UIS has been part of the University Affiliation Program with the CFA Institute since 2022. Fewer than 300 schools in the U.S. are affiliated with the CFA Institute, which oversees the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charter. To be eligible for this charter, candidates must pass three rigorous exams (“Levels”) and have the qualifying work experience. There is no course or work experience requirement to take any of the CFA Exams. Our alignment with the CFA Institute’s University Affiliation Program means that our BBA Finance concentration covers at least 70% of the content (also known as the Candidate Body of Knowledge or CBOK) for the Level I Exam. Thanks to this alignment, we can also award scholarships to UIS students who want to take the CFA Exams. Over the years, UIS awarded 9 scholarships for the CFA Exams, with each scholarship saving students approximately $1,000.

Earning the CFA charter offers numerous benefits to students pursuing careers in finance. Globally recognized and respected, the CFA designation enhances career opportunities by showcasing a high level of expertise and commitment to ethical standards. Charter holders gain access to a vast professional network, valuable resources and numerous career paths across different financial institutions. Find more about the CFA Program. For more information about the limited scholarship opportunities, please contact Dr. Serkan Karadas.