Exploring a Master of Science in Finance: A Comprehensive Overview

Who Should Consider an MSF?

This master’s program in finance is ideal for individuals early in their careers who are ready to specialize. 

• Recent Graduates: Many students enter shortly after completing their undergraduate degree to gain a competitive edge.
• Career Pivoters: Professionals with 1 to 2 years of experience use the program to sharpen their technical focus.

The program attracts students who enjoy analytical problem-solving and want to understand how financial management skills drive organizational strategy. You will benefit from learning alongside peers with similar ambitions but varied academic and professional backgrounds — creating an environment that is collaborative, focused and intellectually demanding.

Program Structure: How the MSF Experience Is Designed

The Carlson MSF is structured to provide both a strong foundation in finance fundamentals and the flexibility to tailor your experience toward specific career interests.

Duration and Pace

Students choose between 2 program timelines:

• 10-month track: A 3-semester, accelerated option ideal for students with prior finance exposure or those eager to enter the job market quickly
• 16-month track: A 4-semester option that allows time for an internship or a more flexible academic pace

Both tracks begin in the summer semester, giving students an early start with quantitative and foundational finance coursework.

Curriculum: Technical Depth & Real-World Relevance

The finance curriculum at Minnesota Carlson blends finance theory with the tools and techniques used in professional practice. Courses are designed to ensure you can apply concepts in realistic market contexts immediately after graduation.

Core finance courses include:

• Corporate finance and security analysis
• Portfolio management and investment banking
• Risk management and financial markets
• Computing for finance and data-driven analysis

Building Technical Fluency

As a student, you will gain exposure to industry-standard platforms such as Bloomberg, FactSet and Capital IQ. This hands-on training ensures you are ready to model, value and analyze from day 1.

Specialization Options

After building a core foundation, you can tailor your degree through 4 distinct specializations:

1. Asset Management: For roles in portfolio management and investment research
2. Corporate Finance: Focusing on internal financial strategy and valuation
3. Healthcare Finance: Leveraging the Twin Cities’ status as a medical device hub
4. Finance Research Track: Designed for students considering PhD study

Experiential Learning: The Carlson Funds Enterprise

A defining feature of the program is the Carlson Funds Enterprise — one of the largest student-managed investment funds in the United States.

Unlike hypothetical simulations, this is real money. Students manage assets totaling more than $50 million, making high-stakes decisions on investment analysis, portfolio construction and risk management. This experience is often cited by alumni as the single most valuable differentiator during job interviews.

Career Development and Outcomes

The demand for specialized financial expertise is growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for financial analysts is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations.

The Minnesota Carlson Master of Science in Finance prepares you to meet this demand.

• 94% of graduates received job offers within 6 months of graduation (3-year average).¹
• Career Support: You will have access to dedicated career coaches and to recruiting events that connect you with employers in the Twin Cities and beyond.

Common career paths include:

• Investment Banking Analyst
• Corporate Finance Associate
• Risk Management Specialist
• Wealth Management Professional

Admissions Requirements: What You Need to Apply

We look for candidates with strong academic potential and a clear interest in finance. All applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a U.S. 4-year degree (any major) and have completed at least 1 university-level statistics course prior to enrollment.

Application requirements include:

• Academic transcripts
• Resume outlining academic and professional experience
• Personal essays and a video essay
• Two professional recommendations
• Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
• Interview component for research-track applicants
   

Standardized Tests

GMAT or GRE scores are optional for applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. However, strong scores can strengthen your application for highly competitive finance roles.

Tuition, Scholarships and Financial Support

Minnesota Carlson automatically considers eligible applicants for merit-based scholarships — no separate application is required.

While tuition varies by year, the investment often pays off quickly through early-career compensation growth. Residents and non-residents alike find the program competitive compared to other top-tier MSF degrees.

The MSF Experience: Community and Connection

At Minnesota Carlson, education extends beyond the classroom. Finance students benefit from close interaction with faculty, industry professionals and a nationally recognized finance community.

Located in Minneapolis — a major Midwest business hub home to the headquarters of Fortune 500 companies like U.S. Bank, Target and UnitedHealth Group — the school offers unrivaled access to employers across corporate finance, healthcare, asset management and professional services.

The cohort-based model fosters a tight-knit learning environment where collaboration, networking and peer support play a central role.

Is a Master of Science in Finance Right for You?

If you are eager to develop advanced courses in finance and analytics, enjoy data-driven work, and want to accelerate your entry into the market, the MSF is the right choice. It offers the technical depth that a generalist degree cannot provide.

Take the next step:

• Connect with Us: Schedule a 1:1 conversation with an admissions counselor.
• Attend an Event: Join a virtual information session to hear from faculty and alumni.
• Start Your Application: Begin your journey toward a master’s degree in finance today.

^{1 Minnesota Carlson’s Master of Science in Finance Employment Statistics}