Brandeis International Business School

Programs > MSF > Core Curriculum

Core Curriculum

Earning your Master of Science in Finance Degree

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If you have a solid financial and quantitative skill set and looking for a rigorous master's program in finance that will place you on an accelerated path to graduation, the International Business School MSF program is a perfect fit.

Key Elements

  • Immerse yourself in essential theories, concepts and current industry examples—with direct ties to topics on the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam.
  • The MSF program is part of the CFA Institute University Recognition Program, which recognizes curricula that incorporate at least 70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), which positions students well to sit for the CFA exams.

Curriculum and Timeline

The MSF program is 9 or 16 months in length and requires 24-28 core credits. Students with work experience or an undergraduate degree in finance can complete the fast-track nine-month program. Students without a finance background, must enroll in the 16-month MSF program and will have the ability to select a concentration or build their own concentration.

Degree Requirements – 9 Month Program

Core Requirements (20 Credits)

  • FIN 204a – Advanced Corporate Finance: Theory and Practice (4 Credits)
  • FIN 205a – Investments and Portfolio Management (4 Credits)
  • FIN 217f – Corporate Financial Modeling (2 credits)
  • FIN 219g – Financial Modeling Boot Camp (1 credit)
  • FIN 261a – Fixed Income and Securities (4 credits)
  • FIN 270a – Options and Derivatives (4 credits)
  • BUS 224g – Launching Your Global Career (1 credit)

Accounting Requirement (4 credits) Choose one

  • FIN 212a – Financial Accounting and Analysis (4 credits)
  • FIN 213a – Intermediate Financial Accounting (4 credits)

Work Practicum Requirement (4 credits) Choose one

  • FIN 292a – Internship (4 credits) (only for US citizens/PRs and those with CPT authorization) Internship must be a minimum of 140 hours and 6 weeks long. 
  • FIN 293a – Field Project in Finance (4 credits)
  • FIN 294a – Directed Research (4 credits)

Approved Finance Electives 6 credits required

  • ECON/FIN 210a – The Psychology of Finance (4 credits)
  • ECON/FIN 250a – Forecasting in Finance and Econ. (4 credits)

OR

Any FIN class offered at the International Business School can be used to meet the total elective credits. The only non-FIN classes allowed are listed above. Any other non-FIN class requires prior permission from the MSF Program Director.

Degree Requirements – 16 Month Program

Transfer Credit

Students who have earned an MBA degree from Brandeis International Business School within the last 10 years and enroll in the MSF program may transfer up to a maximum of 16 applicable credits from their previous degree to the 44-credit program.

Core Requirements (24 credits)

  • FIN 203a – Financial Management (4 credits) 
  • FIN 204a – Advanced Corporate Finance: Theory and Practice (4 credits) 
  • FIN 205a – Investments and Portfolio Management (4 credits) 
  • FIN 217f – Corporate Financial Modeling (2 credits)
  • FIN 219g – Financial Modeling Boot Camp (1 credit) 
  • FIN 261a – Fixed Income and Securities (4 credits) 
  • FIN 270a – Options and Derivatives (4 credits) 
  • BUS 224g – Launching Your Global Career (1 credit) 

Accounting Requirement (4 credits) Choose one

  • FIN 212a – Financial Accounting and Analysis (4 credits) 
  • FIN 213a – Intermediate Financial Accounting (4 credits) 

Work Practicum Requirements (4 credits) Choose One

  • FIN 292a – Internship (4 credits) Internship must be a minimum of 140 hours and 6 weeks long. 
  • FIN 293a – Field Project in Finance (4 credits) 
  • FIN 294a – Directed Research (4 credits) 
Concentrations and Electives

Students may choose to complete the MSF degree requirements with two of four concentrations, which are geared towards careers in the following four fields: Asset Management, Corporate Finance and Valuation, FinTech, or Risk Management. Students may declare up to a maximum of two concentrations.