M.S. in Finance

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M.S. in Finance

  • Course description
    Unlike the broader, management-oriented MBA, Lewis University's Master of Science in Finance prepares students with specialized technical knowledge.   Not everyone is interested in mastering the details of financial instruments and investment analysis. But if you are, finance can offer a highly rewarding career.

    The Master of Science in Finance provides an academic background that's highly specialized. Curriculum is designed to help students prepare for the CFA I exam, one of the most rigorous in the industry. The exam covers topics like investment valuation, asset valuation and portfolio management.

    You will also learn to see the bigger picture. You will explore interdisciplinary topics in economics and accounting, attaining a broad knowledge of the financial profession. You will gain the resources to evaluate domestic and global business decisions. And, you will learn how to utilize financial data to make strategic decisions.

    The Master of Science in Finance curriculum will provide the preparation needed to apply financial strategy to a variety of investment scenarios. Graduates will be prepared for positions in portfolio management and investment analysis.


    FINANCE/MASTER OF SCIENCE

    Total Credit Hours: 36

    The Master of Science in Finance degree is specifically designed to prepare individuals to assume positions in investment analysis, portfolio management and financial services. The degree is intended for those who are focused in their field and possess the drive and motivation to succeed in the program.

    Students will also be exposed to coursework in related fields, such as economics and accounting, as analysts need a complete view of capital markets from a macroeconomic perspective down to the reporting of an individual firm’s financial performance.

    Utilizing the CFA Institute Candidate Body of Knowledge® as guidance, coursework in the degree will assist individuals desiring to take the CFA Level I exam. Whenever possible, texts and materials used in the CFA Program will be used. The CFA Institute (formerly the Association for Investment Management and Research) is the leading organization of investment analyst professionals with over 80,000 members in approximately 125 countries.

    PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

    Graduates of the Master of Science in Finance program are expected to be able to:
    • Understand the role of finance in the business organization.
    • Successfully apply analytical financial tools to a variety of investment situations.
    • Understand the ethical and legal implications of their actions.
    • Demonstrate critical thinking and a functional knowledge across the various disciplines impacting investment decisions.
    • Develop sufficient technical skill to be able to comprehend articles published in rigorous practitioner journals such as the Financial Analysts Journal and Journal of Portfolio Management.
    • Retain the critical knowledge to allow the student to pass the CFA Level I exam.

    ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

    To be accepted for admission into the program, a student must present the following credentials:
    1. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
    2. An application for graduate admission, including a non-refundable application fee. Apply online by visiting  www.lewisu.edu/gradapplication
    3. Professional resume.
    4. Undergraduate GPA . 2.75 (conditional admission available to those with GPA < 2.75 - see Student-at-Large/Conditional Admission).
    5. Official transcripts from all educational institutions attended.
    6. Two letters of recommendation.
    7. International students are required to have a TOEFL test score > 550 (213 computer-based; 79 Internet-based).

    STUDENT AT-LARGE/CONDITIONAL

    A student whose cumulative undergraduate GPA is less than 2.75 will be required to take two Foundation level courses and earn a grade of B or higher in both courses in order to qualify for degree-seeking status. These two courses must be successfully completed before any further courses will be allowed. Students may select two of the following three courses to satisfy this admission requirement: 66-501 Financial Accounting; 66- 502 Business Economics; and 66-512 Financing the Business Enterprise.

    If a student has already taken two of the above three course as an undergraduate, then a grade of B or higher must be earned in two of the following three Core courses: 59-550 Managerial Accounting; 59-554 Managerial Economics; and 59-572 Managerial Finance. These two courses must be successfully completed before any further courses will be allowed. Students must meet this requirement on the first attempt.

    DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

    Students must complete a minimum of 36 graduate credits in the program to earn the Master of Science in Finance degree. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA while in the program. If the student's GPA falls below 3.0, there will be a grace period of one semester after which the student must bring the GPA up to the 3.0. Six hours of equivalent graduate coursework can be transferred into the program.

     



    I. Foundation Courses (9) 

    Students who have not completed a business undergraduate degree will be required to take the following Phase I coursework:
    66-501 Financial Accounting (3)
    66-502 Business Economics (3)
    66-512 Financing the Business Enterprise (3)

    II. Core Courses (30)

    In addition to the above, the following courses are requirements for the Master of Science in Finance degree:
    66-572 Managerial Finance (3)
    66-550 Managerial Accounting (3)
    66-554 Managerial Economics (3)
    66-604 Quantitative Techniques for Financial Markets (3)
    66-600 Portfolio Management and Investment Analysis (3)
    66-586 International Finance (3)
    66-584 Futures and Options (3)
    66-585 Financial Management Strategies (3)
    66-602 Fixed Income Analysis (3)
    66-603 Financial Statement Analysis (3)

    III. Electives (6)

    The following courses may be used as electives. Courses other than those listed below may be used as electives if approved by the Academic Program Director.
    59-640 Accounting Ethics, Liability and Exposure (3)
    59-644 Advanced Tax Topics (3)
    59-505 Introduction to Information Security (3)
    59-545 International Economics (3)
    59-561 Strategic Outsourcing (3)
    59-560 Principles of Six Sigma (3)
    59-588 Employment Law (3)

     
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