Financial Services Diploma
Chairperson:
Bob Black
Program Information:
E-mail: inquire@rdc.ab.ca
Phone: 403.342.3554 OR 403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Two-Year Financial Services Diploma
The Financial Services Diploma is a diploma offered by the Business Administration and Commerce Department.
The Donald School of Business, Red Deer College, in partnership with the Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC), and the strong support of local financial services providers, offers the Financial Services Diploma. This two-year diploma combines specific courses that address the required core competencies of entry and intermediate level financial services employees with courses that provide a background in business administration in the areas of accounting, finance and financial services, information technology, marketing, economics, statistics and business policy.
The Financial Services Diploma may be completed in two years if a student proceeds through their program of study by completing five (5) courses per semester. Alternatively, students may choose to take fewer (from one to four courses per semester) in order to accommodate other obligations, such as, quality of work and family life or a slower academic pace.
Related Careers
The financial services industry encompasses a wide range of sectors including banking, insurance, investment brokerages, financial planning, wealth management, and mutual funds; however, from banks to brokerages, different employers generally focus on the same entry level core competencies, knowledge, and attributes. As such, the Financial Services Diploma is designed to equip students with the specialized skills and knowledge to meet the demands of entry and intermediate level positions within the industry.
The Financial Services Diploma has been designed to prepare students with a broad business background and a solid foundation in financial services for a wide range of career opportunities within the industry. Careers in the financial services industry include Investment Advisor, Personal Financial Service Representative, Account Manager, Loans Officer; Mortgage Specialist, Compliance Officer, and Branch Manager to name just a few career directions.
Accreditation
Investment Funds in Canada (FINS 281) is offered in conjunction with the IFIC and is the required course for those seeking to sell investment funds in Canada. At the completion of this course all students will write the qualifying IFIC exam and if they attain a grade of 60% or greater will be qualified to seek registration as an Investment Funds Salesperson in Canada. Students taking FINS 281 have three opportunities to take the final IFIC exam provided that these attempts are proctored by an RDC Finance or Financial Services Instructor. FINS 286 (Insurance in Canada) is also offered in conjunction with the IFIC.
Transfer Features
Financial Services Diploma graduates may complete the Post-Diploma Bachelor of Management Degree offered by the University of Lethbridge in Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge. A GPA of 3.0 is required for admission.
Admission Requirements
1. High School Diploma
Minimum average of 60% with no mark below 50% in:
a. ELA 30-1
b. Mathematics 30 (Pure)
OR
Minimum average of 65% with no mark below 50% in:
a. ELA 30-2
b. Mathematics 30 (Applied)
OR
Minimum average of 62.5% with no mark below 50% in one of the following combinations:
a. ELA 30-1 and MATH 30 (Applied) OR
b. ENGL 30-2 and MATH 30 (Pure)
2. Mature Student
You must be 19 years of age or older, out of high school at least one full year before the program starts and have a minimum average of 60% with no mark below 50% in:
a. ELA 30-1
b. Mathematics (Pure)
OR
Minimum average of 65% with no mark below 50% in:
a. ELA 30-2
b. Mathematics 30 (Applied)
OR
Minimum average of 62.5% with no mark below 50% in one of the following combinations:
a. ELA 30-1 and MATH 30 (Applied) OR
b. ENGL 30-2 and MATH 30 (Pure)
Note: Mature students not meeting these standards should consider applying for admission to the Management Certificate Program.
Communication Course Placement Testing
Students will be required to take a College placement test before registering in a written communications course. (Students with 60% or greater in English 30-1 will be exempted from this test.) Students who do not achieve a satisfactory mark in this test will be required to complete COMM 150 before they can register in the required course, COMM 250. Students should take the placement test early in the event preparatory work (COMM 150) is required. COMM 150 will not be accepted for credit as an option for the Financial Services Diploma.
Computing Skills
Students entering the program must have a working knowledge of file management and word processing. It is recommended that students without this prerequisite knowledge complete CMPT 071 and CMPT 083 or a course that includes these modules prior to taking BADM 207.
Please note that these courses will not be recognized for credit in the program.
Program Content
Year 1
- ACCT 102 Introductory Accounting I
- ACCT 103 Introductory Accounting II
- ACCT 104 Managerial Accounting
- FINS 180 Financial Products and Services
- FINS 280 Financial Services Work Experience
- BADM 132 Introduction to Marketing
- BADM 207 Management Information Systems and Technology
- BUS 303 Introduction to Organizational Behaviour
- COMM 250 Business and Workplace Writing
- ECON 100 Introduction to Business Microeconomics
- ECON 101 Introduction to Business Macroeconomics
Year 2
** These courses are optional courses and are NOT a requirement for completing the Diploma in Financial Services program.
Notes: Notes 1-7 refer to equivalent courses that may be taken in lieu of various specified courses. Students may receive credit for only one of each equivalency. Students considering university transfer or an accounting designation should consult with an Academic Advisor or their Chairperson regarding these courses.
- ACCT 202 is equivalent to ACCT 102 plus ACCT 103
- ACCT 204 is equivalent to ACCT 104
- ECON 201 is equivalent to ECON 100
- ECON 202 is equivalent to ECON 101
- BUS 306 is equivalent to BADM 111
- BUS 310 is equivalent to BADM 260 and is acceptable as a prerequisite for BADM 270.
- BADM 170, BADM 107, BUS 358, CMPT 261 and CMPT 170 are not accepted for credit towards the Financial Services Diploma.
Program Cost Estimates - 2010/2011
FINS 281 (Investment Funds in Canada) and FINS 286 (Insurance in Canada) are offered in conjunction with the Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC) which will require students to pay examination registration fees of approximately $150 per course. These fees are subject to change without notice from the IFIC. FINS 284 is offered in conjunction with the Institute of Canadian Bankers and is subject to separate text book and examination fees, consult www.icb.com for appropriate fees and costs.
Graduation Requirements
You must pass all courses and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.