Program Overview

MS in Finance Program Overview

The Master of Science in Finance (MSF) prepares students for financial careers at both financial and non-financial firms. The program provides a foundation in statistics and data analytics for finance, financial econometrics, and a core of finance topics including analysis of financial statements, investments, and corporate finance. Students will enroll in a communication and career management course to provide job search skills and placement assistance.

Learning Goals

• Versatile skill set: Our graduates will have a versatile skill set that applies to local and global finance issues, emphasizing state-of-the-art analytical methods and models in finance.
• Critical and strategic thinking: Our graduates will have critical and strategic thinking skills for decision-making, addressing local and global issues in finance.
• Communication: Our graduates will have effective presentation skills and communication skills for professional contexts.
• Teamwork: Our graduates will have strong group leadership potential and be effective team players with a global mindset, good listening skills, and a strong appreciation for diversity.
• Ethical and social responsibility: Our graduates will have a strong understanding of the ethical and social implications of financial decisions and practices.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to apply fundamental finance concepts and analytical tools to conduct data-driven research, addressing complex financial market issues and management problems.
• Students will be able to develop critical and strategic thinking skills to identify and address complex financial market issues and management problems, proposing innovative solutions and utilizing strategic decision-making in finance.
• Students will be able to effectively communicate complex financial concepts and information through written documents and oral presentations that are tailored to their intended audience and purpose.
• Students will be able to lead and work effectively in diverse teams, self-reflect, and evaluate team processes and outcomes.
• Students will be able to recognize and evaluate sustainable finance and the ethical and social implications of financial decisions and practices, enabling them to make responsible and informed judgments and ethical decisions.

Curriculum

The MSF program is a 33-unit program designed to be completed with 10 academic courses (3 units each) and one communication and career management course, offered as a 1.5-unit course in each of two semesters. The program is organized with five core courses and five elective courses. The standard duration of the MSF program is 10 months; it begins in the fall term and ends in the summer term.

Required Prerequisites

Successful applicants will have completed an undergraduate degree.

Required Courses (18 units)

• QST AC 710 Financial Reporting and Analysis
• QST ES 610 Communications in Finance
• QST ES 611 Careers in Finance
• QST FE 723 Financial Management
• QST FE 740 Statistics for Finance
• QST FE 747 Data Analytics in Finance
• QST FE 823 Investments

Elective Courses (15 units)

• QST AC 814 Financial Statement Analysis & Investor Decisions
• QST AC 820 Financial and Accounting Analytics
• QST FE 730 Economics and Management Decisions
• QST FE 820 Corporate Finance
• QST FE 822 Fixed Income Markets
• QST FE 829 Futures, Options, and Financial Risk Management
• QST FE 833 ESG Equity Investing
• QST FE 850 Private Equity: Leveraged Buyouts
• QST FE 854 Entrepreneurial Finance
• QST FE 870 Analysis and Management of Financial Risk

Degree Completion

To qualify for the MSF, students must:

• Successfully complete all required courses for a total of 33 or more units.
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.70.
• Have no “I” grades or no “MG” grades in courses counting toward the degree.

Accreditation

Boston University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).