MS in Finance Curriculum

Program Structure

Choose to complete the program in 10 or 16 months based on your personal goals and preferences. You have until the end of the second semester of the program to choose your track or specialization, leaving time to consult with your career coach and academic advisor before deciding.

10-Month Track

Complete the program in May
Default curriculum option
Return to full-time job market quickly
Ideal if you have previous internship and/or full-time work experience in finance

16-Month Track

Complete the program in December
Additional summer and fall semester
Option to spread out class schedule
Flexibility for summer finance internship
Internship assistance from Graduate Business Career Center
Recommended if you are joining the program directly after undergrad studies, pivoting from another career area, or would like to further boost your resumes before graduation

What you'll learn

Designed for recent graduates and early-career professionals, the MS in Finance curriculum marries the essentials of education in finance theory with the quantitative and computational skills now driving the field, along with intensive practical application throughout.

The Carlson MSF program is recognized by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security as a STEM-designated program.

Curriculum Highlights:

Rigorous, 39-credit, STEM-designated curriculum
CFA affiliation, ensuring classes prepare students for the CFA exam (optional)
Technical skill-building courses: Intro to Python Programming, Computing for Finance, Machine Learning for Finance, Cryptocurrency, Blockchain & Their Business Applications
Use of programming languages, software, and databases: Python, MATLAB, Stata, Excel VBA, ModelRisk, Bloomberg, Factset, CRSP, Compustat, among others
Intensive experiential learning component analyzing real financial challenges for real client companies

This comprehensive Summer Semester will equip you with essential quantitative and analytical skills, a solid foundation in finance theory and risk management, programming proficiency in Python, and a deep understanding of financial accounting principles.

Course Number	Course Title	Term	Credits
MSF 6421	Computing for Finance	Summer	2
MSF 6221	Finance I: Risk, Return, and Value	Summer	2
MSF 6921	Introduction to Python	Summer	2
MSF 6031	Financial Accounting	Summer	2

The rigorous Fall curriculum will deepen your expertise in financial modeling, quantitative analysis, portfolio construction, and risk mitigation strategies, preparing you for a successful career in investment management, corporate finance, or related quantitative fields.

Course Number	Course Title	Term	Credits
MSF 6222	Finance II: Valuation and Modeling Basics	Fall A	2
MSF 6322	Corporate Valuation and Modeling	Fall A	2
MSF 6422	Financial Econometrics and Computational Methods I	Fall A	2
MSF 6121	Fixed Income and Securities	Fall B	2
MSF 6321	Quantitative Portfolio Analysis	Fall B	2
MSF 6423	Financial Econometrics and Computational Methods II	Fall B	2
MSF 6522	Derivatives and Risk Management	Fall B	2

Note: Domestic students completing the 16-month program option will complete their 4 credit electives in the second fall semester.

International students completing the 16-month program will take their 4 credit electives and 2 credits of required coursework in Fall 2023 to retain their full-time status. International students should discuss with the Academic Director which required course should be delayed until their second fall semester.

The well-rounded Spring curriculum will refine your communication abilities, provide insights into macroeconomic factors influencing financial decisions, explore advanced corporate finance strategies, introduce cutting-edge machine learning techniques, and offer hands-on experiential learning opportunities to solidify your finance expertise.

Course Number	Course Title	Term	Credits
MSF 6021	Communications for Finance	Spring A	2
MSF 6621	Finance within the Macroeconomy	Spring A	2
MSF 6223	Corporate and Entrepreneurial Finance	Spring B	2
MSF 6424	Machine Learning	Spring B	2
MSF 6821	Experiential Learning	Spring A & B	4
N/A	Elective	Spring A & B	4

Course Number	Course Title	Term	Credits
MSF 6421	Computing for Finance	Summer	2
MSF 6221	Finance I: Risk, Return, and Value	Summer	2
MSF 6921	Introduction to Python	Summer	2
MSF 6031	Financial Accounting	Summer	2

Course Number	Course Title	Term	Credits
MSF 6222	Finance II: Valuation and Modeling Basics	Fall A	2
MSF 6322	Corporate Valuation and Modeling	Fall A	2
MSF 6422	Financial Econometrics and Computational Methods I	Fall A	2
MSF 6121	Fixed Income and Securities	Fall B	2
MSF 6321	Quantitative Portfolio Analysis	Fall B	2
MSF 6423	Financial Econometrics and Computational Methods II	Fall B	2
MSF 6522	Derivatives and Risk Management	Fall B	2

Note: Domestic students completing the 16-month program option will complete their 4 credit electives in the second fall semester.

Course Number	Course Title	Term	Credits
MSF 6021	Communications for Finance	Spring A	2
MSF 6621	Finance within the Macroeconomy	Spring A	2
MSF 6223	Corporate and Entrepreneurial Finance	Spring B	2
MSF 6424	Machine Learning	Spring B	2
MSF 6821	Experiential Learning	Spring A & B	4
N/A	Elective	Spring A & B	4

Master of Science in Finance Curriculum & Faculty

The Master of Science in Finance (MSF) faculty and curriculum prepares you to succeed in finance careers after graduation and beyond.

In my current role as a Transactions Advisory Services Senior Associate at STOC Advisory, I intensively use the advanced financial modeling skills that I have learned in the program daily, conducting financial due diligence specifically on Quality of Earnings and Purchasing Price Allocation analyses of prospective target companies in the mergers and acquisitions landscape.

Thomson S. Thamsir - Transactions Advisory Services Senior Associate, STOC Advisory