MBA: Finance Specializations
Gain Useful Finance Skills to Grow Your Career
An MBA with a specialization in finance provides Part-Time and Full-Time MBA students with the essential knowledge about corporate finance and financial markets. Choose one of three diverse tracks based on your career aspirations.
Because a solid foundation in finance contributes to effective decision-making across the major business functions, people in non-financial careers can also benefit from the specialization. Those working in brand management, supply chain management, and information technology, among others, would gain valuable insights from this specialization as well.
Full-Time: On-campus
Part-Time:
In-person, Online
Full-Time: 2 years
Part-Time: Average 3.5 years
Full-Time: Average 5 years
Part-Time: Average 6 years
Full-Time: Fall (September)
Part-Time: Fall (September); Spring (January); Summer (June)
Finance MBA Courses
It is recommended that students take at least 12 elective credits with the FINA course designation to pursue the finance specialization. To ensure that you get the specialized skills you need, the finance specialization offers three tracks:
- Finance Specialization, Banking
- Finance Specialization, Corporate Finance & Investment Banking
- Finance Specialization, Security Analysis & Portfolio Management
Recognition as a CFA Affiliated University ensures our curriculum is closely tied to professional practice and is well suited for preparing you to sit for the CFA exams.
The Career Support You Need to Succeed
No matter your career aspirations, the Carlson School is here to support you. You can work with the Carlson Business Career Center (CBCC) to search for jobs, polish your resume, and practice your interview skills. It's a one-stop shop to help you on every step of your career journey.
Here are some roles our finance MBA program graduates pursue:
- Business development manager
- Corporate analyst
- Investment banker
- Planning & budgeting analyst
- Portfolio manager
- Financial analyst
- Securities analyst
job openings are projected each year in the business and financial field1
median salary per year for business and financial occupations in 20221
More Ways to Customize Your MBA
Explore our other specialization options:
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore some of our frequently asked MBA specialization questions below.
Apply to the MBA program using our online application. You will not apply to the specialization. Request information for the Full-Time or Part-Time MBA program and we're happy to answer any outstanding questions.
Generally, specializations require students to complete a track of 12-13 credits of courses within a specified subject area. Course recommendations for each specialization are outlined on the documents posted on the specialization webpage.
Yes. Choosing a specialization is not required, and you can change your pathway during your program to pursue another.
A specialization indicates your mastery of and demonstrated interest in a specific area of business, as well as your commitment to that area. Being able to tailor your degree to your goals makes you uniquely qualified for the roles you're planning to pursue after graduation.
A finance emphasis provides students with the essential knowledge about corporate finance and financial markets necessary for obtaining and succeeding in careers in corporate finance, security analysis and portfolio management, investment and commercial banking, and risk management, among others.
Stay Connected
We’d love to hear from you. Fill out the form, and we’ll be in touch shortly to learn more about your goals and how we can help.