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MS in Finance Research Track

MS in Finance Research Track Overview

The Minnesota Carlson’s Master of Science in Finance Research Track provides you with the research skills needed to obtain research-oriented jobs or gain admission to a PhD program in finance. 

  • In the research track, you will complete the existing MS in Finance core curriculum alongside traditional MS in Finance students and have access to the same student advising, career coaching, and clubs.
  • You will complete the experiential learning requirements by completing a research project with Carlson faculty and an elective course.

You can complete the program in 10 or 16 months based on personal goals and preferences.

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Program Structure

The MS in Finance Research Track curriculum requires you to complete the existing core curriculum: 23 credits of shared courses, 8 credits of PhD finance courses, 2 credits of other finance courses, and 6 credits of electives.

Summer Semester

  • MSF 6031 – Financial Accounting (3 credits)
  • MSF 6221 – Finance I: Risk, Return, and Value (2 credits)
  • MSF 6421 – Computing for Finance (2 credits)
  • MSF 6921 – Introduction to Python (2 credits)
     

Fall and Spring Semester Schedule

Course Breakdown by Term
TermCourseCredits
Fall AMSF 6222 – Finance II: Cash Flows, Managerial Decisions, and Project Valuation2
Fall AMSF 6422 – Financial Econometrics I2
Fall AFINA 88XX – PhD Intro Course I2
Fall BMSF 6522/6121/6321 – 2 courses from Derivatives and Risk Management, Fixed Income, and Quantitative Portfolio Analysis4
Fall BFINA 88XX – PhD Intro Course II2
Spring AMSF 6621 – Finance within the Macroeconomy2
Spring AFINA 88XX – PhD Intermediate Course I2
Spring A2 Electives4
Spring BMSF 6223 – Corporate and Entrepreneurial Finance2
Spring BMSF 6821 – Experiential Learning: Research with Faculty2
Spring BFINA 88XX – PhD Intermediate Course II2
Spring BElective2

Research Track Admissions

The admissions process and application deadlines for the MS in Finance Research Track are similar to the MS in Finance program but with a few differences. As part of your application, you must submit a personal statement of why you want to pursue the research track. Additionally, eligible candidates will be invited to a live interview as part of the admission review. The rest of your application process is the same as that of traditional MS in Finance applicants.


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Frequently Asked Questions

The Research Track is built upon the business foundation of the MS in Finance curriculum. The Research Track is 39 credits and requires 23 credits of shared courses, eight credits of PhD finance courses, two credits of other finance courses, and six credits of electives.

Candidates will select the MS in Finance Research Track at the time of application. When opening the online application, applicants will choose Finance MS—Research Track instead of MS in Finance as their program of interest. The application round deadlines and admission decision release dates are the same as those for the MS in Finance program. Review application deadlines.

Yes. All applicants are reviewed for eligible scholarships as part of the Admissions Committee review process. If you are awarded a merit-based scholarship, information about your award will be issued in conjunction with your admissions decision.

Students must choose between the Research Track or traditional MS in Finance program at the time of application and should not apply for both programs. Transferring back and forth between programs is not permitted.

No, this option is not available for dual degree students.

Finance Specializations