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Finance, MS

Finance, MS


Corporate Finance, Derivatives, Financial Analysis, Financial Economics, Financial Management, Portfolio Management, Risk Management, approved for STEM-OPT extension, finance, investments

Curriculum, schedule and format, faculty and a top-ranked business school: it all adds up to a degree with real value. This program delivers the financial qualifications increasingly sought by employers within the corporate finance industry.

Program description
Degree awarded: MS  Finance

Students in the MS program in finance develop deep expertise in corporate finance and asset or portfolio management and are equipped with the tools needed to manage complex financial institutions. The program is one of the few advanced finance degrees offered by a top-ranked business school, providing a foundation in business and finance. Students have access to world-renowned faculty, motivated classmates and personalized career resources.

Faculty members bring advanced research and decades of practical experience into the classroom. Classes are offered full time during the week, utilizing a lockstep course format that allows students to build on concepts throughout the program. Upon completion of the program, students can graduate with a Chartered Financial Analyst® designation. The program offers two tracks in corporate finance and investments or analytical methods to help students align their degree with their career goals.

STEM-OPT for international students on F-1 visas

This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 36 months. This OPT work authorization term may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.

The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing the degree through ASU Online.

At a glance

Concurrent program options

Students can choose to create their own concurrent degree combination to match their interests by working with their academic advisor during or after their first semester of study. Some concurrent combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum; students should speak with their academic advisor for more details.

This degree is also offered as a concurrent program with the following:

Accelerated program options
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years. It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Degree requirements

32 credit hours including the required capstone course (FIN 575)

Required Core (26--27 credit hours)
ACC 502 Financial Accounting (2.5 or 3)
FIN 502 Managerial Finance (2.5 or 3)
FIN 509 Quantitative Methods in Finance I (3)
FIN 525 Investment Strategies (2.5)
FIN 530 Derivatives (2.5)
FIN 535 Quantitative Methods in Finance II (3)
FIN 545 Advanced Corporate Finance (2.5)
FIN 550 Fixed Income (2.5)
FIN 560 International Finance (2.5)
FIN 565 Risk Management in Banks and Financial Institutions (2.5)

Other Requirement (2.5 credit hours)
FIN 555 Entrepreneurial Finance (2.5) or FIN 597 AI and Machine Learning Applications in Finance (2.5)

Electives (0--1 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (2.5 credit hours)
FIN 575 Finance Capstone (2.5)

Additional Curriculum Information
To account for the difference in the numbers of credit hours offered in the core courses, one credit hour of electives may be required.

For other requirements, substitutions may be allowed with approval of the academic unit.

The schedule follows the seven-week quarterly schedule of the MBA program.

Admission requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the W. P. Carey School of Business.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution in business and management, economics, statistics, computer science or other types of science, engineering, technology and mathematics degree areas.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 credit hours or 90 quarter hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. one letter of recommendation
  4. short answer question responses
  5. current resume
  6. proof of English language proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

There are two main audiences for the master's degree program: first, recent undergraduates from business, economics or related majors or from programs where quantitative skills have been emphasized; and second, career advancers who have strong quantitative skills and seek to adapt those skills to be more competitive in the job market. Career advancers must be able to commit to a full-time plan of study; the program may not cater to working professionals as it is currently designed.

This program is appropriate for students who have completed undergraduate programs with quantitative underpinnings at either ASU or other universities.

The letter of recommendation should comment on the student's motivation, commitment, achievements, work experience and opportunity for success in the program.

Complete application instructions may be obtained from the department's website.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Application deadlines
SessionModalityDeadlineType
Session A/CIn Person 07/01Final
Career opportunities

The Master of Science program in finance includes the essential academic preparation for students who are interested in pursuing professional careers in corporate finance, risk management, money management, financial planning, investment banking, consulting or real estate.

Career examples include:

  • budget analyst
  • financial analyst
  • financial manager
  • investment specialist
Contact information
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is WRGP (Western Regional Graduate Program)?
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

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