Overview
Prepare for an exciting career in financial services. The Financial Services second year option will provide you with workplace-ready business skills in a hands-on learning environment that is connected to industry. You will learn the latest business practices and technologies that employers and business owners in Nova Scotia, across Canada, and around the world are looking for as you develop your professionalism and an awareness of the global economy, cooperate social responsibility, and green business practices. In this option, you're introduced to a broad range of financial services areas, including:
- Retail banking and related services
- Mortgages
- Lending, mutual funds and investing
- Insurance
- Financial planning concepts
You learn how these topics fit together and have an impact on both businesses and individuals. You also develop an understanding of the importance of sales skills and customer relationship management with a client-centered focus.
We have strong relationships with our financial services partners, giving you the opportunity to network directly with many of their human resources staff and hiring managers. Faculty maintain memberships in professional organizations, sharing their real-world experience and knowledge.
Work experience
- Field experience (work placement) is a mandatory credit course, providing you with the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills outside of the classroom.
- Opportunities are typically paid in the financial services industry due to the strict confidentiality guidelines of most financial institutions and last approximately 5 weeks.
- Transportation, accommodations and other costs related to work placements are your responsibility.
- To complete the work experience component of this option (and to work in the financial services industry), you must be bondable.
- Many employers have a COVID-19 vaccination requirement, which can impact your work experience course. It is your responsibility to understand and be prepared to meet employer vaccination requirements before beginning your placement.
- For more information visit work experience opportunities.
Choose NSCC
- You experience hands-on learning and real-world business environments through our on-campus business centres, simulations, project-based learning, applied learning, service learning, collaborative learning and mentorship activities.
- You develop an awareness of the global economy, as well as corporate and social responsibility. You also develop the skills and professionalism you need to work in a business world that focuses on people, organizations, strategy and leadership.
- You learn the latest practices and technologies that employers and business owners are looking for in their future employees and partners.
- You learn in small classes, from experienced instructors.
- You graduate well-prepared with workplace-ready skills to provide a broad range of services to businesses of many sizes.
- Our programs and faculty maintain strong community and industry connections and use a proactive approach to prepare students for industry trends and demands.
- You have access to other exciting learning opportunities beyond your program such as international learning programs and entrepreneurship workshops.
Other info
- You'll have an opportunity to jumpstart your career by taking the 3 available industry-recognized courses that can help you earn accreditation through the Canadian Securities Institute:
- Personal Financial Service Advice
- Personal Loans & Mortgages
- Mutual Funds
Courses may include
These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.
Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.
FINA 2316 - Financial Management
Financial Management is a course that provides the student with the opportunity to assess the financial health of a business and employ various decision-making model in the assessment process.
FINA 3011 - Introduction to Financial Planning
This course will introduce the learner to the fundamentals of personal financial planning and will be presented from the perspective of a Financial Planning professional giving advice to a client.
FINA 3014 - Financial Products & Systems
This course delivers an introduction to basic banking product offerings, industry career path opportunities, professionalism, service learning, and customer relationship management practices. Through a hands on, interactive approach including guest presenters, learners will develop a basic understanding of the products and systems needed to create personal financial plans and professionally assist clients with meeting their everyday financial needs. Learners will also gain exposure to professional ethics & attire, regulatory practices, and service learning opportunities to assist them in setting personal goals, choosing career paths, and networking to help achieve employment and advancement within the financial services field.
FINA 3020 - Personal Lending and Mortgages
The Personal Lending and Mortgages® course is delivered under agreement with the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) using their course materials to prepare learners for the Personal Lending and Mortgages® exam. CSI describes the course as providing “comprehensive coverage of consumer credit and both standard and advanced mortgages. The course addresses a full range of critical issues related to loan and complex mortgage products. It prepares professionals to answer sophisticated questions from demanding clients and to clear up common misunderstandings. Those who complete the course will be able to increase client trust and boost business by demonstrating a level of expertise that sets them apart from their peers.” Additionally, it is another step toward earning the CSI Certificate in Personal Banking®.
Students must also be registered in the related course with the CSI. For more information, please go to the Canadian Securities website at www.csi.ca .
FINA 3101 - Mutual Funds
The Mutual Funds course is delivered under agreement with the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) using their course materials to prepare learners for the Investment Funds in Canada® exam. CSI describes the IFC® course as providing the opportunity to obtain “the certification you need to start giving advice and to start helping your clients make smart investment decisions based on their needs. The IFC prepares you to advise clients about their mutual funds investments based on their objectives, timeline and risk tolerance. It also explains a mutual fund representative's legal, ethical and professional responsibilities.”
Students must also be registered in the related course with the CSI. For more information, please go to the Canadian Securities website at www.csi.ca.
FINA 4001 - Financial Services Practicum
This capstone course integrates many aspects of the learning concepts in the Financial Services concentration by enabling the student to prepare and present a comprehensive financial plan based on a realistic scenario.
FINA 4320 - Personal Financial Services Advice
The Personal Financial Services Advice® course is delivered under agreement with the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) using their course materials to prepare students for the Personal Financial Services Advice® exam. CSI describes the course as designed “to help you confidently deliver the right advice to your clients based on their individual needs. You'll improve your communications skills, build stronger, more profitable relationships and ultimately, grow your client-base. What's more, completing the PFSA puts you one step closer to earning the new Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) designation and Certificate in Financial Services Advice - CSI's newest industry-leading credentials”. Topics include ethics and the regulatory environment, economics, time value of money, risk management, customer relations, and personal financial statements. Students must also be registered in the related course with the CSI. For more information, please go to the Canadian Securities website at www.csi.ca.
FINA 4995 - Work Experience
The work experience component provides the learner with an opportunity to apply new skills and concepts appropriate for entry-level positions within the occupation. Learners will assess their own performance and be evaluated by an industry partner. Learners will identify personal outcomes they wish to attain during the work experience and will keep a journal. This is a course of 175 hours spread over five weeks
INSU 3010 - Introduction to Insurance
This introductory course will examine the theory and practice of the insurance industry in Canada. Learners will study various lines available in the insurance industry, including Life-related insurance (life, accident, disability, health, professional, liability, etc.), General-related insurance (fire, auto, marine, business, etc.), and other specific insurance coverages (travel, creditor, etc.).
This course will introduce the learner to the fundamentals of the insurance industry in Canada and will be presented in a variety of formats including from the prospective of an insurance professional giving advice to a client(s).
MGMT 3015 - Human Resource Management
Students will examine the activities involved in attracting, recruiting, training, developing, controlling, rewarding, motivating, directing, and maintaining the human resources of a business. Topics will include challenges and trends in the field of human resource management, legal and ethical issues, staffing, employee development, and compensation.
PSAL 2015 - Professional Selling
The main focus of this course is selling skills which are advantageous in the work force. Many of these skills are introduced through theory and practice. Learners will use these skills in virtually any profession they enter. This course introduces consultative selling techniques to develop strategies and tactics that “get, keep and grow” customers.
Learners can receive a certificate from the Canadian Professional Association (CPSA) for successfully completing the “Professional Selling” course, and other specific courses in the Business Administration program.
Prescribed Elective. Students must complete two unit/credit
