Master of Science in Finance

The M.S. in Finance is a 36-credit, fully online program designed for students interested in developing and improving their professional competencies and skills in various finance related disciplines to increase their marketability. The curriculum is designed with a focus on international perspectives and a strong commitment to the high ethical standards required in the finance field. It provides students with state of the art skills and knowledge necessary to compete in an increasingly challenging business environment. *Additionally, a significant portion of the core curriculum, with appropriate electives, covers the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute's Candidate Body of Knowledge®. The program offers three tracks: Corporate Finance, International Finance, and General Finance.

Ideal for those working or planning to work in the following areas:

Commercial and retail banking
Investment banking
Security analysis and brokerage
Corporate finance, venture capital and corporate restructuring
Security trading and risk management
Financial services and consulting
Government financial auditors
Financial information systems and data providers

Program Design

This 36-credit hour program is delivered through online instruction, providing flexibility and convenience for working professionals and adult learners. You may complete the program on a full-time or part-time schedule. Full-time enrollment for students who want to complete the program in 20 months requires enrolling in 9 credits per term and in 3 to 6 credits during the summer terms. Part-time students may complete the program in 24-27 months.

Prerequisites

To be considered for admission, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university or college, undergraduate-level courses or their equivalent in financial accounting (3 credits), macroeconomics/microeconomics (3-6 credits), statistics (3 credits), and management information systems (3 credits) or demonstrated equivalent experience.

Program Curriculum

Foundation Courses (9 credits)

MGMT 6016 - Financial Management (3 credits)
FSMA 6010 - Quantitative Methods in Finance (3 credits)
FSMA 6015 - Financial Economics (3 credits)

Advanced Core Courses (12 credits)

FSMA 6020 - Investment Analysis (3 credits)
FSMA 6025 - Advanced Quantitative Methods in Finance (3 credits)
MGMT 6075 - International Financial Management (3 credits)
FSMA 7015 - Strategies of Financial Management (3 credits)

Electives (12 credits)

Students choose four elective courses to reflect their interests and to reinforce the individual focus of their degree. They may choose to specialize in one of the following tracks by taking electives listed for the associated track.

Corporate Finance

FSMA 6035 - Financial Risk Management (3 credits)
FSMA 6040 - Mergers and Acquisitions (3 credits)
FSMA 6045 - Money, Banking, and Financial Institutions (3 credits)
FSMA 6050 - Financial Analysis and Control (3 credits)

International Finance

FSMA 6080 - International Accounting (3 credits)
FSMA 6095 - International Financial Law and Regulation (3 credits)
MGMT 6065 - Economics for Global Managers (3 credits)
FSMA 6055 - Financial Instruments and Derivatives (3 credits)

General Finance

Students choose four (4) finance electives for this track or they may elect to incorporate one of two advanced certificate options: Financial Management and Analysis or Global Finance and Investment. These options should be discussed with their program advisor.