Kutztown University’s new affiliation to prepare business students for jobs in investment fields

Kutztown University has joined a program that will prepare business students for the Chartered Financial Analyst exam, positioning them for employment in investment fields.

The university has become one of 260 campuses in the United States to be accepted into the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Affiliation Program.

As an affiliated university, KU portrays to students and employers that its curriculum is closely tied to the practice of investment management and is helpful to students preparing for the CFA program exams, a university statement said.

CFA Institute is the international association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. The organization is a champion of ethical behavior in investment markets and a respected source of knowledge in the global financial community, according to the university statement. There are more than 160,000 CFA charter holders worldwide in 164 different markets.

John Walker, professor of business administration and a CFA charter holder himself, led KU’s effort to bring this program to campus.

“Part of the College of Business’ mission is to train students for jobs in the investments field,” Walker said. “Thanks to our rigorous finance curriculum and the experimental learning opportunities we offer, companies such as Goldman Sachs, Barclays and J.P. Morgan have hired our students. I believe this affiliation with CFA Institute further enhances our reputation and will make our students even more marketable to Wall Street firms.”

As an affiliated university, KU students will have access to a Bachelor of Science in business administration’s finance program that has been acknowledged for incorporating at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), the university said. This program places emphasis on the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct and positions students to obtain the CFA charter, which has become the most respected and recognized investment credential in the world. Through participation in this program, KU is eligible to receive a limited number of CFA Program student scholarships annually.

The Kutztown University College of Business emphasizes teaching and learning enriched by applied and pedagogical scholarship and community engagement, according to the university statement. This program serves students from diverse backgrounds, the business community and other stakeholders of Southeastern Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas. The undergraduate and graduate degree programs provide quality, affordable business education. Faculty lead and engage students to prepare them for intellectual, social, ethical and career challenges.

Another professionally endorsed program offered at KU is the Personal Financial Planning (PFP) program, registered by the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board. In addition to the PFP, the CFA Institute Affiliation Program will provide greater opportunities to help students thrive and become successful graduates preferred by employers in an ever-changing business environment, the university said.