Appalachian State University’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in finance and banking has been named a CFA affiliated program by the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute. This designation means that the curriculum closely matches the CFA Program, which is known for preparing students to earn a globally recognized credential in investment management.
“CFA Institute affiliation is a signal to students and employers alike that our program prepares App State graduates for successful finance careers,” said Dr. Sandra Vannoy, dean of the Walker College of Business. “This new affiliation will open doors for our students to internships, jobs and professional networks.”
The BSBA in finance and banking at Appalachian State joins 287 U.S. programs recognized by the CFA Institute’s University Affiliation Program. Students enrolled in these programs can access scholarships from the CFA Institute that help reduce exam costs, as well as additional resources, events, and programs provided by the institute. The university must complete an annual review process to maintain this status.
Peter Watkins, senior director of university programs at the CFA Institute, commented on the academic quality of Appalachian State’s program: “App State’s BSBA in finance and banking program will greatly benefit students planning finance and investment careers.”
The CFA Institute also acknowledged Appalachian State’s performance in the 2024–25 CFA Institute Research Challenge. The university’s Broyhill Fellows team ranked among the top six teams globally out of more than 7,000 students from 1,153 universities.
“We are thrilled to join this prestigious, global network of universities recognized for excellence in finance education,” said Dr. Brandy Hadley ’09 ’11, David A. Thompson Distinguished Scholar of Applied Investments at Appalachian State and faculty advisor to its CFA Research Challenge teams.
The Walker College of Business enrolls over 4,000 undergraduates across 11 majors—making it the largest full-time undergraduate business college within the University of North Carolina System—and has more than 250 graduate students across three master’s programs. The college is accredited by AACSB International and emphasizes international experiences, sustainable practices, entrepreneurship, and practical industry applications (https://business.appstate.edu).
Appalachian State University serves over 21,000 students across two campuses with more than 150 undergraduate majors and over 80 graduate majors available both on campus and online (https://www.appstate.edu).
