Financial Services Programs
Financial Services Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS)
Financial Services Bachelor of Business Administration Degree (BBA)
The Berkeley College Financial Services program can prepare you to help others invest in a better future.
The Financial Services program at Berkeley College is designed to prepare you for a range of career opportunities. Upon completion, you may choose to pursue the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP) designation or a career in Corporate Finance, including opportunities in:
- Banking
- Insurance
- Estate and retirement planning
- Investment portfolio management
- Other fields related to finance
The program is built on solid business education, career readiness, and preparation for professional certification exams. In response to current professional market demands, curricula have evolved to include more advanced training in analytics and technology to better prepare you for the workplace.
Participation in student chapters of professional associations, student clubs, and alumni interaction can help students make important industry connections.
Here’s what sets the Berkeley Financial Services program apart:
- You’ll build a solid business core with an emphasis on corporate and personal financial planning
- Integrated courses cover concepts, basic theories, and fundamental practices in business, accounting, economics, finance, management, and marketing
- You’ll get hands-on instruction from instructors chosen for academic excellence as well as relevant professional experience
- The baccalaureate program offers courses required by the CFP Board of Standards, Inc.™
- You’ll gain insights into investment and securities management with emphasis on current trends
- You’ll master the software used by financial service professionals
- You may have the opportunity to participate in an internship or job-related assignment for a valuable learning experience
Is a Degree in Financial Services Right for You? Find Out Now!
Take the Berkeley College Financial Services Degree Readiness Quiz
This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you'll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you're best suited for.
Get Your Financial Services Degree Readiness Score Now »Accreditation
The Larry L. Luing School of Business® at Berkeley College has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please view our IACBE member status page.
Financial Services Advisory Board
Steven Villaran
Steven Villaran
Business Banker
KeyBank
Villaran brings more than 20 years of experience in financial services, serving clients across the personal, business, and government sectors. He is passionate about helping clients achieve their financial goals through a collaborative, team-based approach. Villaran delivers tailored banking solutions to entrepreneurs, their businesses, and their families, always with a strong focus on exceptional service. He is currently a Business Banker at KeyBank, where he has been serving clients since 2024. Prior to joining KeyBank, he was a Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager at City National Bank. He is deeply committed to community service and lifelong learning. Villaran earned a Master of Science in Management from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Gies College of Business). He also recently attained his American Bankers Association certification in Analyzing Financial Statements.
Robert Sherman
Robert Sherman
Principal and Private Client Advisor
Boutique registered investment advisory firm
Sherman is a Principal and Private Client Advisor at a boutique registered investment advisory firm. He works directly with a select group of family office and private clients, helping them navigate the complexities associated with financial planning and wealth management. Sherman has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional since 2017. He has also been a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) since 2015. Additionally, in 2018, he received the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) certification, which is a certification for CPAs that allows them to expand their expertise and offerings to include financial planning and wealth management.
Mark Brickner
Mark Brickner
Principal and Wealth Strategist
F.L. Putnam
Brickner is an attorney with over 30 years of experience in the tax and financial services industry. He is a Principal and Wealth Strategist with F.L. Putnam. He works with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients and their advisory teams to help set up and coordinate complex estate and gift planning strategies. Prior to joining F.L. Putnam, Brickner was a Senior Managing Director at KLS Professional Advisors Group, a Division of Silicon Valley Bank (formerly Boston Private Financial Holdings), a $7 Billion registered investment advisor, where he served as the Head of the KLS Trust & Estate planning practice. Prior to joining KLS, he worked as a Senior Tax Advisor at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP after starting his career as a Tax Associate at Deloitte & Touche LLP. Brickner graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Accounting from SUNY Albany and received his JD degree from New York University School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in the State of New York and is a member of the Estate Planning Counsel of Long Island.
Peter LaPlaca
Peter LaPlaca
Managing Director
Composition Wealth
LaPlaca is a dedicated and client-centric wealth management professional with a passion for guiding and educating clients and colleagues across the spectrum of financial planning disciplines. Combining my knowledge of behavioral finance and empirical wealth management strategies, he delivers meaningful and impactful experiences to his audience. LaPlaca has a BBA degree in Banking and Finance from Hofstra University and an MBA from Long Island University. He also holds CFP, ChFC and AEP designations.
The details depicted in the profiles have been provided and authenticated by each Advisory Board member, who bears sole responsibility for such content.
Career Opportunities
Potential Careers in Financial Services:
Graduates of the Financial Services program pursue positions in:
- Banking
- Enterprise Management
- Financial Analyst
- Financial Planner
- Insurance
Catalog
Financial Services Programs
You’ll find additional information in our Catalog, including the different degrees offered, descriptions of the courses you’ll take, the department faculty, and much more. You can always live chat or contact us with questions.
Faculty
Rosemarie McLaughlin (Interim Chair)
Keith Weissman
Locations Offered
The Financial Services BBA and AAS degree programs are offered by Berkeley College New Jersey and Berkeley College New York. The Financial Services program courses are only offered online as identified in the Course Schedule for each semester.
Testimonial
Alexandria Kallan
Financial Services Student
“I love the diverse environment at Berkeley. Building a social life in college is essential. I attend study sessions with my peers and participate in activities sponsored by the College. The whole experience has strengthened my self-drive.”
