Master of Science in Finance Pathways

Credit Waiver Pathways for Carlson Majors & Minors, University of Minnesota Economics Majors and Morris Students

The Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program combines advanced financial expertise with analytical methods to prepare you for leadership roles in corporate finance, investment management and financial analysis. If you have a business or economics degree from the University of Minnesota, you can accelerate your path through these pathways.

What are MSF Pathways?

If you've completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota, you may qualify to waive core credits in the Master of Science in Finance program. You'll build on what you've already learned instead of repeating foundational coursework.

Qualifying students include:

  • Any University of Minnesota Twin Cities student who completed the required courses with a B or better, including:

    • Carlson undergraduates
    • University of Minnesota Twin Cities Economics majors
    • Other University of Minnesota Twin Cities students with equivalent coursework
  • Any University of Minnesota Morris student who completes the required courses qualifies

Benefits of pathways:

  • Waive up to 7 credits depending on your undergraduate background
  • Lower your total tuition costs
  • Lighten your course load
  • Start in summer and finish your degree by the following May or after an internship and the following fall semester of classes
Finance student sitting in chair talking with classmate.

Which Pathway is Yours?

Choose your undergraduate background to see how to qualify and how many credits you can waive.

Who qualifies? Students who earned a Carlson Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) degree or another University of Minnesota degree and a Carlson minor.

What is the benefit? Waive up to 7 credits of required courses in the MSF program, lowering your tuition costs and lightening your course load.

The MSF program starts in summer. You will be able to decide if you would like to complete the program in 2 semesters or extend to 3 semesters and complete an internship.

Which courses are waived?

This Carlson Undergraduate CourseWaives This MSF Course
ACCT 2051 - Introduction to Financial ReportingMSF 6031 - Financial Accounting (3 credits)
FINA 3001 - Finance FundamentalsMSF 6221 - Finance I: Risk, Return, Value (2 credits)
FINA 4221 - Principles of Corporate FinanceMSF 6222 - Finance II: Cash Flows, Managerial Decisions and Project Valuation (2 credits)

Important for international students: To maintain full-time student status, international students will not be able to waive both Financial Accounting and Finance I in the summer term. If eligible for both waivers, international students will take Finance I in summer and apply the Financial Accounting waiver to an elective.

Who qualifies? University of Minnesota Twin Cities students who earn one of the following degrees and complete the required courses with a B or better:

  • Bachelor of Science in Economics
  • Bachelor of Arts in Economics
  • Quantitative Bachelor of Arts in Economics
  • Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics

What is the benefit? Waive up to 7 credits of required courses in the MSF program, lowering your tuition costs and lightening your course load.

The MSF program starts in summer. You will be able to decide if you would like to complete the program in 2 semesters or extend to 3 semesters and complete an internship.

Which courses are waived?

This Carlson Undergraduate CourseWaives This MSF Course
ACCT 2051 - Introduction to Financial ReportingMSF 6031 - Financial Accounting (3 credits)
FINA 3001 - Finance FundamentalsMSF 6221 - Finance I: Risk, Return, Value (2 credits)
FINA 4221 - Principles of Corporate FinanceMSF 6222 - Finance II: Cash Flows, Managerial Decisions and Project Valuation (2 credits)

Important for international students: To maintain full-time student status, international students will not be able to waive both Financial Accounting and Finance I in the summer term. If eligible for both waivers, international students will take Finance I in summer and apply the Financial Accounting waiver to an elective.

Who qualifies? University of Minnesota Morris students who complete the following courses with a B or better:

  • Principles of Accounting I and II
  • Financial Management
  • Introduction to Econometrics

What is the benefit? Waive up to 3 MSF courses for a total of 7 credits, lowering your tuition costs and lightening your course load.

The MSF program starts in summer. You will be able to decide if you would like to complete the program in 2 semesters or extend to 3 semesters and complete an internship.

Which courses are waived?

Complete This Morris CourseTo Waive This MSF Course
MGMT 2101 - Principles of Accounting I and MGMT 2102 - Principles of Accounting IIMSF 6031 - Financial Accounting (3 credits)
MGMT 3101 - Financial ManagementMSF 6221 - Finance I: Risk, Return and Value (2 credits)
ECON 3501 - Introduction to EconometricsMSF 6422 - Financial Econometrics and Computational Methods I (2 credits)

Important for international students: To maintain full-time student status, international students will not be able to waive both Financial Accounting and Finance I in the summer term. If eligible for both waivers, international students will take Finance I in summer and apply the Financial Accounting waiver to an elective.

Finance student talking with career coach.

How to Apply for MSF Pathways

You will qualify for the credit waiver based on the courses you've completed with a B or better on your official transcript. You must start the MSF program within 3 years of completing your undergraduate degree.

Apply to Minnesota Carlson's MSF Program