<p>I graduated with a Bachelor's In Criminal Justice with the intent of pursuing law school. However, that has changed. I am currently looking to receive an education in finance. I currently work at a financial planning firm as a glorified receptionist and am looking for an educational path to take in finance. Since I already graduated, Ive looked into a Masters in Finance. However, I have no background knowledge in finance whatsoever. Then I thought about doing another bachelors, this time in finance. I am at a crossroads. </p>
<p>I think you don't necessarily need to have an education in finance to apply/get a masters in finance, but since you have no business education at all, it might be a good idea to get a second bachelors first. I would evaluate schools you are looking into and how many of your undergrad credits will transfer and how many you will have to take to get another bachelors. </p>
<p>If you go straight into an MBA program, you might struggle with a lot of the concepts and classes, just because you have no prior experience with them. There is a lot of material learned in the classroom that I am sure you have never heard of or never used, even though you work in finance.</p>
<p>You can take some classes at a community college that are prerequisites for most MS in Finance programs like Calculus, Statistics, Financial Accounting, Economics and of course a couple in Finance. Some programs will also let you take these classes in the summer before the other classes start. You will also need a GPA over 3.0 and take the GMAT.</p>
<p>Under no circumstances should you get a second BA degree. A totally wasted effort. </p>
<p>Taking a few courses at a community college would probably be a good idea, however, starting with statistics and economics (if you haven't had such courses) and perhaps one or two more.</p>
<p>To get into a good MBA program (is an MBA your eventual target?) from any undergraduate major (business, economics, art, criminal justice, history, philosophy, biology, engineering, etc. etc.) above all you need relevant work experience. You also need good GMAT scores (which usually takes practice) and decent grades. And you need a good "story" about why you want an MBA, and why at the particular college.</p>
<p>If you're not looking at one of the leading MBA's -- or perhaps you're looking at a part-time MBA (read: evening), then entrance is a lot easier. What kinds of MBA programs are you looking at?</p>