Core Curriculum

Earning your Master of Science in Finance Degree

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

Complete your degree with 45 credits, with courses covering a breadth of challenging and highly relevant material
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 16 months in length and requires 45 credits. Students have the opportunity to take courses at other institutions in the area in related fields. The MSF program requires 23 core credits, but students may exempt from select core courses by demonstrating competence in those areas.

Program Requirements

Core Requirements (23 credits)

FIN 201a: Investments (4 credits)
FIN 204a: Advanced Corporate Finance Theory and Practice (4 credits)
FIN 212a: Accounting and Financial Analysis or FIN 213a Intermediate Accounting (4 credits)
FIN 217f: Corporate Financial Modeling (2 credits)
FIN 261a: Fixed Income Securities (4 credits)
FIN 270a: Options and Derivatives (4 credits)
BUS 224g: Launching Your Global Career (1 credit)
Work Practicum Requirement (4 credits)
- FIN 292a: Internship (4 credits)
- FIN 293a: Field Project in Finance (4 credits)
- FIN 294a: Directed Research (4 credits)
Elective credits (18 credits) - Concentration credits apply to elective credits.

Sample Course Plan

Fall 1 (15 credits)

FIN 201a: Investments (4 credits)
FIN 204a: Advanced Corporate Finance Theory & Practice (4 credits)
FIN 217f: Corporate Finance Modeling (2 credits)
FIN 212a: Financial Accounting and Analysis (4 credits) OR FIN 213a: Intermediate Financial Accounting (4 credits)
BUS 224g: Launching Your Global Career (1 credit)
FIN 215f: Python and Applications to Finance (2 credits)*

*Required only for students pursuing the FinTech concentration

Spring 1 (18 credits)

FIN 261a: Fixed Income Securities (4 credits)
FIN 270a: Options and Derivatives (4 credits)
Concentration or general electives (10 credits)

Summer (4 credits)

Practicum (choose only one):

FIN 292a: Internship (4 credits)
FIN 293a: Field Project in Finance (4 credits)
FIN 294a: Directed Research (4 credits)

Fall 2 (8 credits)

Concentration or general electives (8 credits)

Concentrations and Electives

The MSF program requires 18 elective credits. MSF students are encouraged to use these elective credits to complete one of five concentrations. MSF students who do not concentrate can choose their electives from a selection of advanced offerings in General Finance.