Master of Science in Finance

Academic Program

Students pursuing an MSF degree may choose between the intensive program and the regular program. Under the intensive program, students take four classes per semester to complete the degree in 12 months, including a summer session. The regular program, which we highly recommend, paces classes over a period of 24 months, including two summer sessions.

Students with very strong backgrounds in a particular subject area can petition to waive a required course to be replaced by an elective as approved by the program director.

12 courses (48 total credits) are required to complete the MSF degree:

• FINA 6271 - Financial Modeling and Econometrics (...)
  Applied statistical and econometric analysis and modeling in finance. Methodologies include descriptive and inferential statistics, multivariate regression, time series analysis, and simulation modeling. Empirical studies are reviewed, and a series of research projects are undertaken. (Fall)
• FINA 6272 - Global Financial Markets (...)
  Theories explaining domestic and international interest rate and exchange rate structures. Roles of financial institutions and markets are investigated and forecasting methodologies are applied. (Spring)
• FINA 6273 - Cases in Financial Management and Investment Banking (...)
  Intermediate financial accounting, international and tax accounting. Emphasis on computer modeling to analyze and forecast a firm's financial statements to reflect possible future performance. (Fall)
• FINA 6274 - Corporate Financial Management and Modeling (...)
  The foundation theories of business real investment and financing are summarized and applied in a simulation environment. Emphasis on understanding the causal connections between business decision making in a global economy and the resulting valuation of the firm's financial assets. Financial modeling and forecasting applications. (Fall)
• FINA 6275 - Investment Analysis and Global Portfolio Management (...)
  Financial markets and instruments viewed from the investor's perspective. Analysis of the value of equity and fixed-income securities and the construction of efficient portfolios in a global financial market. Issues of market efficiency, tax structures, and investment funds; computer-based models. (Spring)
• FINA 6276 - Financial Engineering and Derivatives Securities (...)
  Mathematical and theoretical foundations to value-derivative securities, including options, futures, and swaps; hedging and trading applications of these contracts. Arbitrage trading across cash and derivative markets and its role in maintaining equilibrium prices. (Summer)
• FINA 6277 - Comparative Financial Market Regulation and Development (...)
  Theory and current status of comparative regulation of domestic and international financial institutions and markets. Effects on country economic development and international trade. (Fall)
• FINA 6278 - Financial Theory and Research (...)
  Theoretical constructs of business investment and financing decisions and of financial asset pricing structures in domestic and international environments. Analytical and numerical models are developed, and empirical studies are evaluated. (Spring)
• FINA 6279 - Real Estate Finance, Fixed-Income Security Valuation (...)
  A primary focus is the application of financial theory to real estate investment and financing. Another is fixed-income security valuation and design and portfolio management. Application of decision support and artificial intelligence systems in making financial decisions. (Spring)
• FINA 6280 - Financial Institution Management and Modeling (...)
  Financial institution asset and liability management. A dynamic simulation model is developed and run under varying macroeconomic conditions, as additional layers of complexity, involving multinational investment, borrowing, and hedging, are added. (Summer)
• FINA 6281 - Cases in Financial Modeling and Engineering (...)
  Through a series of cases and simulations, students address real financial problems faced by domestic and international companies, including capital budgeting, capital structure, mergers and acquisitions, and project financing. The negotiating process by which many financial situations are resolved is emphasized. (Summer)
• FINA 6282 - Advanced Financial Econometrics and Modeling (...)
  Students design and execute a financial research study, applying knowledge developed throughout the MSF program. Class sessions vary from lectures on research methods to colloquia by outside professionals to critique studies. (Summer)

To view the current MSF schedules click the following links for Fall 2011 semesters.