Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Twin Cities Campus
Finance M.S.Finance
Curtis L. Carlson School of Management
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Phone: 612-625-5555
Email:
msf@umn.edu
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The 39-credit master of science program in finance provides students with an advanced understanding of the tools and methods used in businesses and in financial markets. The program focuses on combining financial theory with quantitative and computational methods and real-world applications. Students can complete this full-time graduate program in 10 or 16 months. Graduates will be able to analyze and interpret complex financial data and communicate its implications. Successful applicants begin their MS studies in summer (July).
Accreditation
This program is accredited by AACSB International. The M.S. in Finance is STEM designated.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
- University level courses in calculus and statistics are required.
- Linear algebra is recommended, but not required.
- Work experience is not required, but preferred.
Additional requirements for MSF Research Track:
- Linear Algebra
- Intermediate Microeconomics
- Intermediate Macroeconomics
Special Application Requirements:
Applicants must submit all application materials through the University's admissions system. Application materials include:
- Online application & application fee.
- Transcripts from all colleges/universities previously attended. Non-English transcripts must be accompanied by an English translation.
- A GMAT or GRE General Test that is not more than five years old, with an acceptable score. A GMAT/GRE waiver is available for qualified candidates.
- For international and domestic applicants whose first language is not English, an acceptable score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International Language Testing System (IELTS), or Pearson (PTE).
- Two recommendations need to be submitted through the online application.
- A personal statement of career goals, and objectives for pursuing a MS Finance degree. The personal statement questions are the following:
(1) Why are you interested in studying at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota? What draws you to the Carlson School's MSF program specifically? (approx. 200 words)
(2) Briefly describe your short-term and long-term career goals. How will completing an MS in Finance program at this time help you toward achieving your goals? (approx. 300 words)
(3) What do you feel makes you a strong candidate for the program? How will you contribute to the program overall? (approx. 250 words)
(4) Additional question required for MSF Research Track: Please briefly describe any research experience that you had before. What did you learn from your research experience?
- Applicants must submit a current resume that includes job responsibilities and accomplishments in the online application.
- Applicants may choose to submit an essay to comment on any item(s) in their application they consider worthy of further explanation.
- Video Essay.
- Interview (by invitation only).
https://carlsonschool.umn.edu/degrees/master-science-in-finance/admissions/application-requirements
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Plan C: Plan C requires
39
major credits and
up to
credits outside the
major.
There is no final exam.
A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project: Students engage in full-semester experiential learning application of finance theory and quantitative, computational skills learned throughout the program to analyze real financial challenges for real client companies. The final project consists of the development and presentation of results, interpretations, insights, and recommendations, which client companies then use in their business practices.
This program may not be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses towards program requirements is not permitted.
A minimum GPA of 2.80
is required for students to remain in good standing.
Required Courses: Fall (14 credits)
Take the following courses:
MSF 6121 - Fixed Income and Securities
(2.0 cr)
MSF 6222 - Finance II: Cash Flows, Managerial Decisions, and Project Valuation
(2.0 cr)
MSF 6223 - Corporate and Entrepreneurial Finance
(2.0 cr)
MSF 6321 - Quantitative Portfolio Analysis
(2.0 cr)
MSF 6322 - Corporate Valuation and Modeling
(2.0 cr)
MSF 6422 - Financial Econometrics and Computational Methods I
(2.0 cr)
MSF 6423 - Financial Econometrics and Computational Methods II
(2.0 cr)
Required Courses: Spring (12 credits)
Take the following courses:
MSF 6021 - Communications for Finance
(2.0 cr)
MSF 6424 - Introduction to Machine Learning for Finance
(2.0 cr)
MSF 6522 - Derivatives and Risk Management
(2.0 cr)
MSF 6621 - Finance within the Macroeconomy
(2.0 cr)
MSF 6821 - Experiential Learning
(4.0 cr)
Electives (4 credits)
Select 4 elective credits from the following, or graduate courses offered by other departments in the business school upon approval.
APEC 5831 - Food and Agribusiness Marketplace
(2.0-3.0 cr)
FINA 6112 - Private Equity
(1.0 cr)
FINA 6113 - Public Equity
(1.0 cr)
FINA 6123 - Financial Services Industry
(2.0 cr)
FINA 6125 - Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, and Their Business Applications
(2.0 cr)
FINA 6222 - Mergers and Acquisitions
(2.0 cr)
FINA 6324 - Securitization Markets
(2.0 cr)
FINA 6325 - Behavioral Finance
(2.0 cr)
FINA 6341 - World Economy
(4.0 cr)
FINA 6621 - International Financial Management
(2.0 cr)
Non-Credit Courses
Noncredit 1: On occasion, external speakers will be brought in to enhance the experiential learning component of the MS finance program. Students are required to attend such meetings, and their participation will be assessed on a pass/fail basis.
Noncredit 2: Students will be required to pass the online ethics module from the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute by the end of the summer. Successful completion will be a requirement of the Fundamentals of Finance II course.
Joint- or Dual-degree Coursework:
MS-Finance/MS-Business Analytics
Students may take a total of 22 credits in common
among the academic programs.
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Typically offered: | Every Fall |
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Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 -3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
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Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
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Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
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Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |