Finance (MSF)
You need a firm foundation to stay atop an ever-shifting global financial landscape. Our Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program will provide you with the understanding of financial principles and analytical skills to prepare you for a successful career.
Our curricula is closely linked to professional practice and vital industry connections. And industry leaders on our Financial Advisory Board ensure that our curriculum—and your MSF degree—remains relevant and cutting edge.
Curriculum
Completion of the Master of Science in Finance degree requires 12 courses, with additional prerequisite courses depending on academic background.
The curriculum is divided into three sets of courses: prerequisites, required courses, and electives. The required courses are designed to develop strong analytical and modeling skills. The electives enable students to explore topics in corporate finance, risk management, and asset management. Ethical decision-making is woven throughout the program, which will help position you as a responsible leader in your organization.
Required Courses and Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| FINC 452 | Investment Management | 3 |
| FINC 620 | Financial Mathematics and Modeling I | 3 |
| FINC 621 | Financial Mathematics and Modeling II | 3 |
| FINC 622 | Derivative Securities | 3 |
| FINC 624 | Interest Rate Risk Management | 3 |
| FINC 625 | Applied Econometrics | 3 |
| FINC 626 | Credit Risk Management and Structured Finance | 3 |
| FINC 630 | Capstone Master of Science Finance | 3 |
| ETHC 441N | Business Ethics | 3 |
| or MGMT 446 | International Business Ethics | |
| Electives | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Financial State Analysis | ||
| Topics in Advanced Financial Management | ||
| International Financial Management | ||
| Management of Financial Institutions | ||
| Applied Portfolio Management | ||
| Fixed Income | ||
| Investment Banking | ||
| Valuation | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Prerequisites
The prerequisite requirement is met if you have completed a minimum of one undergraduate course (3 credit hours) of comparable content in the prerequisite subject area within the last five years with a grade of B (or equivalent) or higher.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Calculus | ||
| Select one of the following or an equivalent course: | 3-4 | |
| Applied Calculus I | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Principles of Micro/Macroeconomics | ||
| Select one of the following or an equivalent course: | 3 | |
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Managerial Economics | ||
| Statistics | ||
| Select one of the following or an equivalent course: | 3 | |
| Business Statistics | ||
| Managerial Statistics | ||
| Fundamentals of Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Probability & Statistics | ||
| Introductory Accounting | ||
| Select one of the following or an equivalent course: | 3 | |
| Introductory Accounting I | ||
| Financial Accounting for Business Decisions | ||
| Business Finance | ||
| Select one of the following or an equivalent course: | 3 | |
| Principles of Corporate Finance | ||
| Financial Management | ||
Suggested Sequence of Courses (part-time, prerequisite(s) met)
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| FINC 452 | Investment Management | 3 |
| FINC 620 | Financial Mathematics and Modeling I | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Winter | ||
| FINC 621 | Financial Mathematics and Modeling II | 3 |
| FINC 622 | Derivative Securities | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| FINC 624 | Interest Rate Risk Management | 3 |
| FINC 625 | Applied Econometrics | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| Select one from Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Ethics course (ETHC 441N or MGMT 446) | 3 | |
| Select one from Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Winter | ||
| Select one from Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| FINC 626 | Credit Risk Management and Structured Finance | 3 |
| FINC 630 | Capstone Master of Science Finance | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
Our Master of Science in Finance program will provide you with specialized knowledge:
- Learn the concepts of risk and return relationship, diversification, micro and macro structure of global capital markets, and tools for stock and bond portfolio optimizations.
- Learn how to apply state-of-the-art techniques and models in the valuation of equities, fixed income, and derivatives securities such as options, interest and exchange rate swaps, collateralized debt obligations, among others.
- Understand how to optimize a firm’s financing and investment decisions in a global setting (debt-equity choices, asset-liability restructuring, capital budgeting, cost of capital, mergers and acquisitions, among others) to maximize its value and realize longrun growth opportunities.
- Identify and assess a firm’s risk from all sources both to mitigate threats using key risk management techniques (including options, swaps, and asset-liability duration) and exploit opportunities to realize competitive advantages.
- Exhibit mastery of various statistical models and analytics, including simulation, econometrics, and financial mathematics to assess the financial consequences of actions by investors and firms.
- Master emerging modeling techniques involving writing and implementing computer codes and pulling and working with data resources from different platforms, such as Bloomberg.
- Learn effective communication skills aimed at shareholders, regulatory bodies, and the community at large.
- Attain the knowledge needed to succeed in passing the examination requirements for professional certifications such as the Certified Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
- Incorporate transparency and social justice in all domestic and global financial decisions.