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Financial Services Management Degree

Financial Services Management Degree

(Co-op)

Program Code: FSMCampus: Newnham
Duration: 8 Semesters (4 Years)Start Dates: Fall, Winter
Start dates are subject to change
Credential Awarded: Bachelor of Commerce

Program Description

This degree program provides you with specialized skills for the banking and insurance sectors. Developed with input from experts in these areas, it focuses your studies on all aspects of financial services and provides you with a co-op work term which allows you to gain valuable experience on the job at a major financial institution or insurance company.

There is an additional cost for certification courses that are included as part of the FSM program curriculum.

Scholarships: Scholarship opportunities are available for candidates with distinguished academic records in their high school careers. A variety of scholarships and bursaries are available to students based on merits/financial needs.

Seneca College has been granted a consent by the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities to offer this degree for a five-year term starting December 31, 2007. Seneca will ensure that all students admitted to the above named program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.

Admission Requirements

Program Eligibility:

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma with a majority of senior credits at the University Preparation (U) or University/College Preparation (M) level or Mature Student Status (age 19 or older)
  • Six Grade 12 (U) or (M) courses with a minimum 65% average including:
    • Grade 12 English: ENG4(U)
    • Grade 12 Mathematics: any (U) level Mathematics
  • Mature students (age 19 years or older) must submit proof of credits in the above subjects or their equivalent.

Applicant Selection:

  • Applicant grades in pre-requisite subjects and the overall academic average of 6 Grade 12 (U) or (M) courses will be used for the selection of candidates.

For all degree programs, the minimum requirement for promotion and graduation is an average of C+ (2.5) in subjects in the main field of study (professional subjects), and an average of C (2.0) in all other subjects.

FSM students must successfully complete BAB110 and BAB140 within their first two semesters of study to continue in the program.

In accordance with PEQAB requirements, this program has a minimal overall acceptable achievement for progression.

The Importance of Learning Skills:

Student success in college requires well developed learning skills (such as being able to work independently, participate in a team, be well-organized, develop good work habits, and show initiative). These skills are as important as prior academic achievement. While it is expected that applicants would have developed these skills through previous education and life experiences, Seneca offers support to assist students with further development of these important skills. Seminars, workshops and tutoring are available at Seneca's Learning Centres.

Your Career

More than 223,000 people work in Toronto region's financial services sector making it the third largest concentration of financial services employment in North America, after New York and Chicago. More than 75 per cent of the financial services sector's employees hold post secondary credentials which is considerably higher than the regional average (Source: the Toronto Financial Services Alliance).

The Financial Services Management degree prepares you for more designations and certifications than any other college financial services program.

As a graduate with an FSM degree, you’ll be prepared to enter the rapidly growing financial services sector which includes banking, insurance, wealth management, financial planning and regulatory administration. You’ll launch your career, having completed most courses leading to two professional designations: the Associate, Institute of Canadian Bankers designation offered by CSI and the FLMI designation from the Life Office Management Association (LOMA). You will also be eligible to write the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Professional Competence Examination 1 (ACE1). In addition, you may also earn credits leading to certification in the Canadian securities industry.

Seneca College has been granted a consent by the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities to offer this degree for a five-year term. Seneca will ensure that all students admitted to the above-named program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.

Block Transfers

Consideration may be given for block transfer credits to students who have completed three or more semesters of a business diploma program.

Transfer Options within Seneca

The School of Accounting and Financial Services offers seamless transfer to a multitude of degree, diploma and certificate programs, given a common first year in most diploma and certificate programs within the Faculty of Business.

Transfer Options *

* GPA requirements may apply.

Liberal Studies Elective

Liberal studies electives will be offered to students in semesters 3 to 7.

Co-operative Education

The co-op work term provides the learner with the opportunity to become involved in real-life work experiences where critical thinking, problem solving and interpersonal skills are utilized. The work term is scheduled over the summer semester between semesters 6 and 7.

For more information, please visit: www.senecac.on.ca/coop.

Co-op Work Term Model
  Fall Winter Summer
Year 1 Semester 1 Semester 2 Vacation
OR
Year 1 ------ Semester 1 Semester 2
Year 2 Semester 3 Semester 4 Vacation
Year 3 Semester 5 Semester 6 Paid Co-op Term
Year 4 Semester 7 Semester 8 Graduation

Curriculum

Semester 1 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
BAB100 Introduction to Canadian Business 3
BAB110 Financial Mathematics 4
BAB120 Computer Applications for Business I 3
BAB140 Introduction to Financial Accounting 4
ENG106 Writing Strategies 3
 
Semester 2 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
BAB210 Business Statistics 4
BAB231 Introduction to Business Law 3
BAB235 Introduction to Marketing 3
BAB240 Management Accounting 4
ENG205 Applied Communication for Business and Industry 4
FSM200 Financial Services Products 4
 
Semester 3 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
FSM305 Insurance Operations 4
FSM330 Insurance Law in Canada 4
FSM341 Mortgage Financing and Consumer Credit 3
LSP240 Micro Economics - Theory and Practice 3
LSP300 Organizational Behaviour 3
LSOXXX Liberal Studies Elective 3
 
Semester 4 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
FSM400 Accounting and Financial Reporting for Insurance 4
FSM410 Personal Financial Planning: Investment and Taxation 4
FSM420 Consumer Protection and Privacy 3
FSM440 Customer Service and Relationship Management 4
LSP340 Macroeconomics - Theory and Practice 3
LSOXXX Liberal Studies Elective 3
 
Semester 5 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
CPP600 Co-op Professional Practice 2
FSM430 Economics in the Insurance and Banking Environment 4
FSM510 Personal Financial Planning: Funds in Canada 4
FSM520 The Business and Regulation of Financial Services 4
FSM540 Business Finance 4
LSP500 Ethics and Social Responsibility 3
 
Semester 6 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
FSM600 Marketing Insurance 3
FSM611 Financial Planning: Insurance, Retirement and Estates 4
FSM620 E-Business Opportunities in the Financial Industry 3
FSM640 Life Agency 4
LSP400 Presentation Skills 3
LSOXXX Liberal Studies Elective 3
 
Semester 7 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
BAB905 Project Management 3
CPP700 Co-op Integration and Career Planning 1
FSM700 Management Principles and Practices 4
FSM705 Insurance Administration 4
FSM710 Investment Strategies 1 4
LSP700 Applied Research Methodology 3
LSOXXX Liberal Studies Elective 3
 
Semester 8 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
FSM800 Managing for Solvency and Profitability 4
FSM810 Investment Strategies 2 4
FSM830 Personal Financial Planning Management 3
FSM840 Conduct and Practices for Investment Advisors 1
FSM850 Financial Services Contact Centre Management 3
LSP800 Applied Research Project 4

Contact Us

Student Advisor: Pana Mitusev
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 26216
Email: Pana.Mitusev@senecacollege.ca
Program Coordinator: David Hoffman
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 26353
Email: David.Hoffman@senecacollege.ca
Co-op Coordinator: Robert Botten
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 26292
Email: Robert.Botten@senecacollege.ca
Associate Chair: Jeff McCarthy
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 26722
Email: Jeff.Mccarthy@senecacollege.ca
Program Chair: Karen Murkar
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 22337
Email: Karen.Murkar@senecacollege.ca
Admissions Advisors:
Domestic Admissions Advisor: Angelie Ramirez
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 22036
Email: Angelie.Ramirez@senecacollege.ca
International Admissions Advisor: Susan Gao
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 22365
Email: Susan.Gao@senecacollege.ca
Registration & Records Advisor: Barbara Byers
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 22495
Email: Barbara.Byers@senecacollege.ca

Video

Seneca College - Financial Services Management degree

Barbara, a graduate of Seneca's Financial Services Management Bachelor of Commerce program, talks about leaving university to come to Seneca and her time at the College and how it launched her career in financial services. Video

Testimonials

"As the war for top talent continues to heat up in Canada, it is essential for institutions like Seneca to be innovative in the programs they design and selective in the students they graduate. This program combines the critical foundational knowledge of the financial services industry with the practical designations that position their graduates with the tools they need to make an immediate impact in the business world. Bright, motivated and work ready students are exactly what a top financial services institution like Sun Life Financial is looking for in this intensely competitive marketplace. Forward thinking, applied business degrees like this will service the industry and graduating students well, now and into the future. This is a great program."

Vicken Kazazian
Senior Vice-President,
Business Development
Individual Insurance and Investments
Sun Life Financial Canada

"Ontario's economy and our personal financial wellbeing depend on a successful financial services sector. As international competition grows among global centres, the quality of our people will determine if we succeed. Schools like Seneca's Centre for Financial Services, with programs specifically tailored to the needs of our financial community, will be part of that success story. Degrees like the four year Financial Service Management program provide a good gateway to a successful sector career."

Janet Ecker
President, Toronto Financial Services Alliance
Strategic Advisor, Centre for Financial Services
Faculty of Business, Seneca College