Master of Science in Finance

Fiona Robertson, PhD, MSF Program Director

Seattle University’s Master of Science in Finance (MSF) degree program provides an opportunity to obtain advanced in-depth education in finance. The program is designed primarily for individuals who have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree in business. Applicants without a business degree will be required to take some preparatory business courses.

In addition to the development of appropriate quantitative and communication skills, the MSF provides detailed coverage of the following major areas of finance:

Business finance
Investments
Financial institutions and markets

The program also includes the corollary fields of accounting and economics and incorporates discussion of ethical issues in business and finance.

MSF graduates typically work in banking, credit analysis, risk management, personal financial planning, wealth management, securities analysis and trading, portfolio analysis and management, alternative investments, business valuation, real estate finance, international finance, and general corporate financial management. Many seek CFA, CFP, CAIA, or FRM certification.

Degree Requirements:

I. Preparatory Work

Computer Proficiency
Business Calculus
Business Communications

The calculus requirement must be completed by the end of the first year in the program. The communications requirement must be completed within the first quarter.

II. Fundamental Business Courses*

18 credits, including:

NOTE:

*Students with previous comparable course work with a B (3.00) or better have the option of waiving these classes based on self-assessment materials regarding their proficiency. Students without previous course work are required to take these classes.

III. Required Core Courses

27 credits, including:

IV. Specified Electives

Choose four of the following courses: (12)
(two courses must be in finance)

V. General Electives

Electives (6)

NOTE:

Students with an MBA degree from an AACSB accredited program may waive 2 electives, (6 credits), and thus may have 39-63 credits.

Minimum credits required for degree: (45 to 63)

Graduate students must have a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA in order to earn a master’s degree.

Business Valuation Specialization

A formal specialization is available in business valuation and is noted on official transcripts. To receive the specialization a student must complete 10 courses listed below. With department approval, students with previous comparable course work may be able to waive courses, in which case the specialization will be completed with fewer required courses.

Specialization Courses:

Complete the following courses:

MBA 501 - Statistical Applications and Quantitative Methods
MBA 515 - Corporate Financial Management
ACCT 531 - Intermediate Financial Accounting I
ACCT 532 - Intermediate Financial Accounting II
ACCT 533 - Advanced Financial Accounting
ACCT /FINC 538 - Financial Statement Analysis and Security Valuation
ACCT /FINC 565 - Valuation for Financial Reporting
FINC 542 - Valuation of Derivatives
Choose 2 of the following 3 courses:
FINC 549 - Corporate Investment Decisions
FINC 550 - Financial Risk Management
FINC 554 - Real Options Analysis