MS in Finance
Graduate Overview
Specialized degree for in-depth knowledge
There is an increasing demand for specialized business master's degrees — especially in the fields of finance and accounting. Whether you are currently working in the financial sector and are seeking an advanced position, or plan to transition into a finance career, the Master of Science in Finance will provide the skills and in-depth knowledge focused on applied finance you need.
Courses in the program emphasize quantitative financial analysis, investments and portfolio management, derivatives, corporate finance, capital budgeting, business valuation, financial markets, multinational finance, security valuation, investment banking, and alternative investments.
If you do not have prior education or experience in finance, additional foundation courses can prepare you to succeed in the MS in Finance program.
CFA alignment
The CFA ® Institute is internationally recognized as promoting the highest standards of ethics, education and professional excellence. Our MS in Finance curriculum has been designed to align with the CFA common body of knowledge, and it will prepare you for CFA designation, which is highly valued by many employers.
Ideal for working professionals
The MS in Finance program, which has been designed to be completed in about two years, requires 30 credits of comprehensive coursework and completion of an exam.
To ensure a high quality graduate student group, all Master of Science in Finance students must have an undergraduate degree from a recognized institution and meet one of the admission criteria provided below. Many applicants will qualify for admission without GMAT/GRE scores.
Our interactive evaluation form can also help you review the admission requirements and the documentation needed for official admission review.
If you do not meet the admission requirements, please email or call us at (262) 472-1945 to see if you could be admitted on a conditional basis.
International students must meet additional criteria and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Contact us for information and assistance.
MS in Finance admission criteria (effective Fall 2019)
Applicants must satisfy any one of the criteria from any of the following categories:
Military Service
- Qualified veteran or currently active military personnel
Education
- AACSB- or ABET-accredited degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Regionally-accredited undergraduate degree with a 3.25 GPA or higher
- Graduate degree from a regionally-accredited or equivalent institution
- UW-Whitewater graduate business certificate
Work Experience
- Four or more years of professional work experience
- Two or more years of professional work experience with a 3.0 GPA
- Approved professional certification
GMAT Scores*
- A composite score of at least 1,100 based on the following formula
- (GMAT score) + [200 x (overall undergraduate GPA based on a 4-point scale)]
- A composite score of at least 1,150 based on the following formula
- (GMAT score) + [200 x (last half of undergraduate GPA based on a 4-point scale)]
- A composite score of 950 - 1,100 for consideration of conditional admission based on the following formula
- (GMAT score) + [200 x (overall undergraduate GPA based on a 4-point scale)]
*GRE scores are converted to comparable GMAT scores
Overview
The Master of Science in Finance curriculum has been designed to prepare you for success as a student in the program and your subsequent career. More information on the program structure and courses can be viewed in the Graduate Catalog.
To earn the UW-Whitewater MS in Finance, you must:
- Complete the 30-credit course requirements.
- Complete Common Body of Knowledge Courses, as required.
- Pass the comprehensive examination.
- Students must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to graduate.
By completing the Master of Science in Finance degree program, you will be able to:
- Value financial assets
- Value real assets
- Design and employ risk management strategies
- Analyze and interpret data to make optimal financial decisions
- Comply with ethical standards, regulations, and professional practices
A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for financial analysts, personal financial advisers, loan officers and other positions; however, there is a graduate degree wage premium. In one research study, financial professionals with master's degrees reported earning 38% ($28,000) more than those with just bachelor's degrees.1
Furthermore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics2 shows that positions in the financial industry have both strong wage rates and occupational outlooks. Financial analysts earned a 2018 median pay of $85,660 per year and expected faster than average occupational growth rate (2016 - 2026), while financial managers earned a 2018 median pay of $127,990 per year and expected a much faster than average occupational growth rate (2016 - 2026).