The field of applied finance is the study of how various business models impact financial results. Studying applied finance may lead to employment with institutions such as those providing financial planning services, brokerage firms or commercial banking companies.

An associate degree is an undergraduate degree offered in the US and a few other countries. Associate degrees are a qualification below a bachelor's degree. Many students earn associate degrees during their first few years of higher education. Since they usually require about two years of study, these degrees can act either as job qualifications or as precursors to more advanced degrees.