Iordanis Petsas, Graduate Program Director
570-941-7752
The Master of Science in Finance program is designed to provide an opportunity to students to have a well-rounded understanding of finance. Our program will provide students with specialized knowledge of financial securities, financial markets and institutions, foreign exchange markets, risk metrics investment criteria, capital budgeting techniques and hedging strategies. It can also help to prepare students for various professional certifications, such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification and the Certified Financial Planner (CFP). This graduate degree program is housed in the AACSB-accredited Kania School of Management. Students can choose to earn this degree entirely online or on-campus.
This program allows for two specializations: (1) Corporate Finance and Investments, (2) Financial Analytics. The Corporate Finance and Investments specialization allows students to broaden their career opportunities. It emphasizes financial analytical skills which students can take to the workplace in corporate finance, asset management, and investment banking. The Financial Analytics specialization meets the market demands and provides students the option to pursue a deeper understanding in data analysis.
The Program of Study
Courses for this program may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. With appropriate planning, it may be possible that students can complete the degree in 12 months of full-time study. Students must take eight required courses in the program, two three-credit electives. In addition, students can participate in an optional on-campus residency. The residency normally will take place during the week of the graduation ceremony. The interactive residency includes three days of coursework utilizing Bloomberg terminals located in the Alperin Financial Center.
Student Learning Goals and Objectives
1. Core of Finance Knowledge
Each student will acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the core concepts in Finance.
Students will demonstrate the ability to comprehend the performance of financial markets and institutions, manage investments, portfolios and the use of
derivative securities.
Students will demonstrate the ability to solve basic valuation, risk, return and optimization problems analytically.
2. Analytical Skills
Each student will be capable of analyzing information to make sound critical financial decisions.
Students will develop or identify and solve advanced financial problems by integrating the skills learned in the core Finance area.
Students will evaluate financial data, documents and other market sources to support financial decisions.
Students will develop the skills to analyze financial statements and market data.
3. Research Skills
Each student will possess the research skills needed to study domestic and global financial issues.
Students will develop a knowledge of appropriate statistical/econometric techniques to identify and evaluate complex financial issues.
Students will use appropriate technologies in gathering and analyzing domestic and international (country, market and firm-specific) data relevant to financial
decision-making.
Students will write comprehensive research reports or projects, recommending solutions to managers and investors.
4. Value System
Each student will be ethical, socially responsible, and just when making financial decisions.
Students will evaluate financial decisions within an ethical framework.
Students will critique financial decisions on the basis of social responsibility.
Students will evaluate financial decisions with regard to their impacts on environmental sustainability.
Application to the Program
Curriculum
Total Program Credits: 30