Program Overview

Master of Science in Finance

The Master of Science in Finance program at the University of Cincinnati's Carl H. Lindner College of Business is a STEM-designated program that strengthens students' understanding of key theories and applications in finance. The program is designed to help students develop the skills, connections, and credentials to lead in financial planning, risk management, or another in-demand discipline.

Program Outline

The program encompasses a blend of hands-on research, project-based learning, and expert classroom preparation. Students develop a distinctive and customized study plan that builds both broad knowledge and training specific to five specialization areas: investments, corporate finance, financial planning, risk management, or real estate.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Finance degree requires 30-38 credits, which can be completed in as little as two semesters (nine months) full-time or around five semesters part-time. The degree requirements include:

• Up to 4 Business Foundations courses
• 23 credit hours in core finance course requirements
• 2-3 credit hours in focus area courses
• 5-6 hours in elective credits in finance, real estate, or other graduate business courses

Master's in Finance Focus Areas

By selecting a focus area, MS in Finance students can design a flexible program that aligns with their career goals. The following specialization options develop a breadth and depth of knowledge that supplements the robust core curriculum:

• Financial Planning
• Corporate finance
• Investments
• Real estate
• Risk management

Capstone Project Options

The Master of Science in Finance's capstone component is an opportunity to measure students' skills and knowledge through hands-on applications alongside real-world partners. Students in the Master's in Finance program will complete their capstone in one of two ways:

• ACG Cup: Organized by the Cincinnati Chapter of the Association of Corporate Growth (ACG), students participate in the ACG Cup case competition.
• Research Project: Students work with Finance faculty and an industry partner on a research project.

Career Outcomes

When students graduate from the MS in Finance program, they are prepared to excel in various finance and financial management settings. Lindner finance graduates have attained employment in career paths such as:

• Investment banking
• Private finance
• Venture capital
• Wealth management
• Portfolio management
• Real estate

They have been hired at successful companies and organizations such as:

• Citibank
• Goldman Sachs
• EY
• Fifth Third Bank
• Fidelity
• United Nations

Our graduates achieve a 92% placement rate within three months of graduation, earning an average starting salary of $85,901.

Why Earn a Master's in Finance at Lindner?

The MS in Finance is regarded as an affordable, top-ranked master's program. The program is designed to prepare students to earn credentials as a financial analyst, financial planner, or risk manager. When students complete the curriculum requirements, they will be equipped to take the:

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam
• Financial Risk Manager (FRM) exam

Throughout the program, students will enjoy several opportunities to work with industry leaders through the University of Cincinnati's community partnerships. For instance, UC's close ties to the Cincinnati chapter of the Association of Corporate Growth (ACG) have led to participation in the ACG Cup case competition for the last ten years.

The program also has an academic partnership with the Global Association for Risk Professionals (GARP), which offers the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification exam. Students in the Master's in Finance program can attend career-oriented training and benefit from professional development opportunities such as:

• Eligibility for student research grants (up to $3,000 each per semester)
• Nomination of up to six students for FRM Part 1 exam scholarships
• Complimentary copies of relevant study materials
• Networking opportunities with some of GARP's 263,000 global members

Founded in 1996, GARP is a membership association for risk managers. GARP offers foundational and certificate programs in risk management, the best known of which is the FRM certification.