The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University and the Kansas Insurance and Financial Services Education Foundation (KIFSEF) have joined forces to create a new Certificate in Financial Services through the Barton School. This certificate reflects the modern and interconnected financial services sector, and comes as the result of a direct need for banking, insurance, healthcare and other industries.
“Frankly, there is a talent shortage across our industry,” said Jannett Wiens, Executive Director, KIFSEF. “The Barton School’s effort including the formation of its Financial Services certificate will help to provide students with the acumen needed to thrive in an industry that continues to grow and diversify.”
As part of the collaboration, KIFSEF will provide $1,000 scholarships for students who complete the certificate. “This certificate will provide Kansas companies with a pipeline of students who will be knowledgeable and excited about the possibilities the sector provides,” said Dr. Timothy Craft, Barton School associate professor and leader of the program. “We’re very grateful for the support from KIFSEF to help us make this certificate a possibility.”
In order to obtain this certificate, students will be required to complete 12 credit hours. Along with the required Insurance and Risk Management course, they will have the opportunity to select three elective courses on topics such as Money and Banking, Investments, Fixed Income Securities and Markets, Bank and Financial Institution Management, Real Estate Investment Analysis, Derivative Markets and Pricing, and Selling and Sales Force Management.
“This certificate shows our commitment to being an economic driver for Kansas,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, Dean of the Barton School. “Students that receive this certificate will bolster the institutions they work for after graduation and give themselves a range of career advancement opportunities.”
To learn more about the program, please feel free to contact Tim Craft at timothy.craft@wichita.edu.