Master of Science in Finance

Ruben Trevino, 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.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to graduate programs should contact the Albers School of Business and Economics at (206) 296-5700 or Seattle University Graduate Admissions at (206) 220-8010 for admission materials. Documents required for admission to the Master of Science in Finance program include the following:

Completed Application for Graduate Admission and non-refundable $55 application fee (waived for Seattle University alumni)
Official transcripts of all post-secondary education institutions attended in the last 90 quarter/60 semester credits of the bachelor’s degree, including any transfer credits earned during this time, and any post-baccalaureate course work
Official scores from the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Records Examination (GRE)
Current résumé. Work experience is highly recommended though not an absolute requirement. Seattle University MSF students have an average of five years of work experience, with a range of three to eight years.
If English is not the applicant’s native language, official English proficiency scores meeting the University entrance requirements are necessary. See policy 2008-01 in Admissions Policies for details.

Degree Requirements:

I. Preparatory Work

Business Calculus
Professional Writing

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

II. Fundamental Business Courses*

15 credits, including:

NOTE:

*Students with previous comparable course work with a B- (2.70) or better have the option of waiving these classes. Students without previous course work are required to take these classes at Seattle University or another institution, or may achieve proficiency through an alternative method as approved by the MSF Program Director.

III. Required Core Courses

30 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 undergraduate 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.