About the Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (FIR)
what is fir?
A Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (FIR) degree from the Fogelman College of Business and Economics prepares students to analyze financial markets, evaluate investments and make strategic business decisions that drive organizational success.
As a Finance, Insurance and Real Estate major, you'll build a strong foundation in:
- Corporate finance and capital budgeting
- Investment analysis and portfolio management
- Commercial banking and financial institutions
- Investment banking and financial markets
- International finance
- Real estate finance and investment
- Risk management and insurance
To broaden your business expertise, you'll also take courses in accounting, economics, data analytics and technology, developing the analytical, quantitative and problem-solving skills employers value across industries.
what will you learn?
Our degree programs provide far more than a traditional business education by combining academic excellence, industry-recognized certifications and hands-on learning experiences.
Earn an AACSB-Accredited Degree
Graduate with a highly respected business degree from an AACSB-accredited institution—an accreditation earned by fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide.
Build Industry Credentials
Enhance your resume by preparing for professional certifications and licenses, including:
- Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC)
- Financial Planning certifications
- Financial Analyst certifications
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) preparation
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) preparation
- Real Estate licensing preparation
Gain Real-World Experience
Students have access to The Cook Analytics and Trading Lab, a state-of-the-art facility designed to simulate the fast-paced environment of a Wall Street trading firm. The lab features 12 Bloomberg Terminals, giving students access to the same financial data, research tools and market information used by investment firms, banks and financial institutions around the world. Using real-time market data, students can:
- Analyze financial markets
- Build investment portfolios
- Evaluate risk
- Conduct financial research
- Run market simulations
- Practice data-driven decision making
This experiential learning environment bridges classroom concepts with real-world application, helping graduate students prepared to become confident finance professionals.
a career in demand
A degree in Finance, Insurance and Real Estate opens doors to careers across virtually every industry because every organization relies on financial decision-making, capital management and strategic investment.
Financial professionals help businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies manage assets, reduce risk, secure funding and create long-term value.
Graduates pursue careers in areas such as:
- Corporate finance
- Financial analysis
- Commercial and investment banking
- Wealth and financial planning
- Insurance and risk management
- Commercial and residential real estate
- Investment management
- FinTech
- Financial consulting
As demand for financial expertise continues to grow, graduates are well positioned for strong earning potential and long-term career advancement.
taught by industry experts
Faculty in the Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Department combine academic excellence with extensive professional experience in corporations, financial institutions, investment firms and banking.
Students learn from professors who bring real-world perspectives into the classroom while conducting impactful research published in leading finance journals. Faculty actively mentor students through research projects, competitions and experiential learning opportunities that prepare graduates for successful careers and advanced study.
Our internationally recognized faculty continues to earn prestigious awards and research funding. Recent highlights include:
- Dr. Pankaj Jain serves as Principal Investigator for the Robinhood Markets Financial Education for Student Athletes Grant, awarded to the University of Memphis alongside institutions including Duke University and the University of California, Berkeley.
- Dr. Konstantin Sololov, Assistant Professor of Finance, received the Dimensional Fund Advisors Award for the best paper published in the Journal of Finance.
Students benefit from direct access to accomplished scholars and industry experts who are shaping the future of finance through research, innovation and professional leadership.