Skip to main content

What is FinTech and What Makes it a Promising Career

As a USG eMajor collection of courses focused on preparing students for high-demand careers, FinTech is a shortened term for Financial Technology. What makes FinTech particularly important for students in Georgia is that the Atlanta area is the national capital for the financial payment and transactions industry.

Of all of the millions of electronic payment transactions occurring each day in the United States, more than 70 percent are handled by companies in Georgia. Among the more than 200 companies in Georgia’s so-called “Transaction Alley” are CashApp, Kabbage, Equifax, BitPay, Greenlight, Paymentus, and Patientco. 

Endless Possibilities

These rapidly-growing companies work behind the scenes in most of our lives to make electronic transactions and payments possible and secure. Someone working for these companies may typically have an interest in traditional business or technology-related fields, but companies also need creative types who understand the language to market products.

“We have a unique opportunity in Georgia to build lucrative career opportunities in FinTech for our students, whether they are traditional students or those looking for new opportunities,” explained Dr. Sarah Kuck, Associate Dean of USG eCampus. “Our programs in FinTech often initially appeal to students looking for careers with high-income salaries, but then they realize that they thrive on the excitement of an area that is constantly evolving.”

Academic Pathways

Courses in Financial Technology are offered through USG eCampus at 21 institutions in the University System of Georgia. Students may begin by taking one or two courses as electives to determine if the field is of interest to them. Among course options are FinTech fundamentals, commercial banking, data analysis, and security for FinTech.

Another pathway to explore the career field is to take an introductory FinTech course through FreeCampus. The course provides a broad overview of FinTech, including a module on career opportunities. There is no charge to take this self-paced, online course. 

A 5-course certificate program is available at Middle Georgia State University, and Kennesaw State University offers a 4-course minor focusing on digital payments.  Additionally, a full associate’s degree in financial technology is offered at Georgia Highlands College, East Georgia College, Middle Georgia State University, and Atlanta Metropolitan State College.

Most courses are offered in fully online, 8-week sessions.


USG eCampus is a service unit of the University System of Georgia that assists SACSCOC-accredited USG institutions in administering quality, affordable, high-demand, post-secondary online degrees and credentials that address the workplace needs of Georgia and beyond.
-
By Austen Clay, anclay@ecampus.usg.edu
Media Contact: Katie Black, kblack@ecampus.usg.edu

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

3 Things to Consider Before Taking an Online Class While Overseas

Online Learning allows students the flexibility of continuing their educational journey from anywhere in the world. Online classes are an excellent option for students who are studying abroad for the semester, military members and families who are stationed overseas, or even those who want to take classes while traveling for pleasure. While online classes can usually be accessed from anywhere with a reliable internet connection, there are some things to consider before registering for class if you intend to complete the course while located outside of the U.S.  Availability of a Reliable Internet Connection To access most online classes, students must have a reliable internet connection. This may be a challenge in some areas of the world due to various issues such as local network instability, outages, firewalls, or restrictive local internet policies. Before registering for an online class, research the internet accessibility situation in the area in whi...
24 comments
Read more

Dual Enrollment Success Rates on the Rise in eCore Classes

2018, Vol. 1 Georgia’s dual enrollment non-need based grant has resulted in increased dual credit participation. According to University System of Georgia (USG) enrollment reports, the increase in dual enrollments over the last two years was over 50 percent, representing a 3,500 student gain across the system. These students are earning college credits face-to-face and online. Dual credit eCore students achieved ABC rates at over 90 percent!   2,100 Courses Taken, 90% Earned College Credit Research indicates that students participating in dual credit programs show an increase in college persistence, grade point average, and college graduation (An, 2015; Hoffman, Vargas & Santos, 2009: Hughes 2010). Most USG dual enrolled students attend courses face-to-face at around 88 percent for FY17. There are several reasons why a high school student may require an online option to attend a USG institution. The state of Georgia has over 100 counties that are de...
Post a Comment
Read more

Professor Broussard: This Georgia College Professor Teaches History from a Very Unique Point of View

Not only is Dr. Ray Broussard a UGA/USG eCore History professor still teaching in his 90s, but he’s also a World War II and Korean War veteran. eCampus visits Dr. Broussard’s home in Athens, Georgia for an update on his love of life and teaching. We last interviewed Dr. Broussard in 2012 , when we learned about his time in the Navy, his early teaching days, and his genuine surprise when he realized you really could teach History online. Today, he is not only the oldest, but also one of USG eCore’s most engaging instructors and consistently receives gushing comments from students in his course evaluations-- many who are amazed to learn world and United States history from someone who helped make the history. At 91 years old, Dr. Broussard and his wife (a retired high school history teacher), haven’t been up for traveling as much, so he invited us to visit with him at his home. We arrived at his peaceful, quaint little house on the Eastside of Athens where he eagerly welc...
3 comments
Read more