Individuals with a Master of Finance degree, or an MBA in Finance, often navigate the world of complicated financial instruments and regulatory requirements on behalf of companies and financial institutions throughout the world.
Individuals who know how to acquire and manage money are valued in just about every industry, including nonprofits and government agencies.
Those with an MS in Finance or a Master of Business Administration in Finance are prepared for careers in corporate finance in areas such as divisional financial analysis, treasury, cash management, credit analysis, and financial analysis.
Master of Finance Degree Curriculum
Most Master of Science in Finance degree programs focus on finance and the financial markets, emphasizing equity evaluation, mathematical finance, and investment management. Programs awarding master’s degrees in finance also tend to emphasize financial theory and quantitative methods in financial management.
Students in these programs typically participate in applied research and modeling, and learn how to make smart financial decisions for companies, institutions, and individuals.
Financial specializations are available in areas such as:
Corporate finance
Public finance
Consumer finance
Insurance investment management
Financial markets
Quantitative finance
International finance
Banking
The Master of Finance degree programs have a macro and a micro component; students learn how the global financial system works and how companies and individuals evaluate risk and returns, make good business decisions, and raise capital.
Most Master of Science in Finance degree programs cover subjects such as:
Financial modeling
Corporate finance
Risk management
Financial investments
Portfolio Management
Econometrics
Financial Reporting
Mergers and acquisitions
Most MBA in Finance degree programs cover subjects such as:
Corporate finance
Investments
Derivatives
Portfolio strategies and analysis
International investments
Master of Finance versus MBA in Finance
Individuals seeking a strong focus on finance typically select a Master of Finance degree, whereas those interested in a more general business education with more courses in management and other business disciplines acquire a MBA with a concentration in Finance. Those with an MBA in Finance are prepared to seek a management position immediately upon graduation.
Many of the Master of Finance degree programs can be completed in a year, whereas an MBA in Finance typically take two to three years to complete.
A Master of Finance degree program can be a good choice for people who have recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree, since many MBA programs require applicants to have completed several years of work experience.
The financial courses in the MBA in Finance programs are typically similar to those included in a Master of Finance program.
Master Degree in Finance Job Opportunities
Investment banker
Asset/wealth or private equity manager
Financial analyst
Mutual funds manager
Financial risk manager
Financial planner
Corporate finance officer
Chief financial officer
Venture capitalist
MBA in Finance Jobs
Corporate Finance
Personal Finance
Public Sector
Securities Sales Agent
Investment manager
Chief financial officer
Finance manager
Financial advisor
Financial analyst
One-Hundred-Percent Online Master of Finance and MBA in Finance Degree Program Ranking Guidelines
We selected the following 100% online Master in Finance and MBA Finance degree programs based on the quality of each school’s program, the types of courses offered, the faculty, rankings, awards, and reputation, including the school’s reputation for effectively providing online degree programs.
1. Arizona State University, W.P. Carey School of Business
The online MBA with an emphasis in finance degree is designed to help students advance in their current career path in the financial services industry or corporate finance.
The program reviews leading-edge financial theories, as well as the concepts and analytical techniques used to manage businesses in a global environment.
The W.P. Carey School of Business has received accreditation from the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
The MBA in Finance core curriculum covers subjects such as managerial accounting, financial accounting, managerial fiance, statistics for managers, organization theory and behavior, global business environment, strategic management, and other subjects.
The MBA with a concentration in finance includes electives such as:
Financial Statement Analysis
Advanced Corporate Finance
Investment Fundamentals/Portfolio Management
International Financial Management
Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business was ranked #2 in the 2013 Best Online Graduate Business Programs list, and #30 in the 2012 Best Business Schools list, by U.S. News & World Report. ASU was also ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s list of Top-Tier U.S. Universities.
The full-time MBA provided by the W.P. Carey School of Business was ranked #59 in a global survey by The Economist. The W.P. Carey School of Business itself has been ranked #1 for research productivity by Technovation, and #21 for research productivity by the University of Texas at Dallas.
Arizona State University has been ranked #79 in the world, and #26 among public universities in the United States, by the Academic Ranking of World Universities, a publication established by the Shanghai Jiaotong University. ASU has also been named one of America’s “Best College Buys” by Forbes magazine.
2. Penn State World Campus
The online Master of Finance degree program is designed for people interested in careers as financial professionals in financial management or investment management.
The program covers subjects such as financial modeling, including basic statistics, capital budgeting, and forecasting.
The online Master’s degree in finance also covers advanced subjects involving strategic financial decisions, such as capital structure and cost of capital, valuation, and corporate control. Students also learn about financial derivatives, securities, covering options, forwards and futures, and OTC derivatives.
The online Master of Finance degree program, accredited by the AACSB, prepares students for professional certifications such as the Chartered Financial Analyst certification.
The online Master’s degree in finance program utilizes a cohort model in which all the online students begin the online Master of Finance degree program at the same time and progress through the courses together.
Penn State University World Campus was ranked #19 in the Best Online Graduate Business Programs, and #12 in the Top Public Schools list, by U.S. News & World Reportin 2012. In 2011, the school was ranked #12 nationally by SmartMoney magazine in its Colleges That Help Grads Get Top Salaries list.
Penn State University World Campus has a combination of high peer and instructional quality, excellent student satisfaction indicators, and a world-class reputation.
3. Washington State University
WSU: 3.76 average gpa, 213 Majors, 55% Acceptance Rate
The online MBA with a concentration in finance covers the principles of international finance, including financial management of multinational corporations and international investments.
The program also reviews making decisions regarding problems with asset management for personal and business portfolios.
The Online MBA program is AACSB International accredited.
The MBA in Finance degree program covers real and nominal interest rates, term and risk structure of interest rates, bond pricing, investment and commercial banking, and financial futures.
Washington State University was ranked #1 in the Best Online Graduate Business Programs list, and #60 in the Top Public Schools list, by U.S. News & World Report in 2013.
4. University of Michigan-Dearborn
Students in the online master’s degree in finance program are prepared for careers in corporate finance, financial institutions, and investments.
Students can enter the online Master of Finance program with any undergraduate degree.
The curriculum which integrates the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) program provides a strong foundation for students interested in obtaining CFA credentials. The curriculum also provides a strong foundation in finance and related disciplines for students interested in other financial careers.
Students in the Master in Finance program learn to evaluate and manage risk in a global setting and estimate the value of real or financial assets. Students also have opportunities to expand their network of professional relationships.
The required courses in the Online MS in Finance degree are shown below:
Applied Statistical Modeling
Finance Fundamentals
Economic Analysis:
Firm and Consumer
Investment Process, Analysis and International
Topics in Corporate Finance
University of Michigan-Dearborn was ranked #21 in the Best Online Graduate Business programs, #33 in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges in Regional Universities (Midwest), and #6 in the Top Public Schools Regional Universities (Midwest), by U.S. News & World Report. The university is also recognized as a Best Business School by Princeton Review.
5. Northeastern University, D’Amore-McKim School of Business
The Online Master of Business Administration-Finance program covers financial skills in important areas such as valuation, risk management, mergers and acquisitions, insurance, and investments.
Students in the Finance MBA program can specialize in either corporate finance or investments. CFA and CFP materials are incorporated into the MBA in Finance program to help students prepare for their exam.
The Online MBA with a concentration in finance includes courses such as:
Investment Analysis
Financial Strategy
International Finance Management
Finance Seminar
Northeastern University was ranked #57 in the National Universities list, #57 in the Best Business Schools list, #82 in the Part-time M.B.A. list, and #8 in the 2011 Up-and-Coming Schools list, by U.S. News & World Report.
6. University of Dallas, College of Business
The online MBA with a concentration in corporate finance covers concepts and application of business strategy, financial forecasting and planning, asset selection and financing, and cash flow management.
The online MBA in Corporate Finance covers subjects such as international finance, mergers and acquisitions, dividend policy, hedging, and other subjects. Students can also develop sub-fields in international finance or accounting.
The Online MBA with a concentration in finance includes courses such as:
Intermediate Corporate Finance
Intermediate Financial Accounting
Corporate Treasury Management
I
nternational Finance
Corporate Valuation
University of Dallas was ranked #10 in the Best Value Schools list, and #120 in the Best Online Graduate Business Programs list, by U.S. News & World Report. The magazine also ranked the University of Dallas as a Best Value School in the West Region.
The university was also included in the 2012 Best of the West list by Princeton Review, and has been ranked #120 by Forbes.
7. Southern New Hampshire University
The online Master in Finance degree program provides financial analysis and quantitative skills. The program covers corporate finance, investments, financial markets, advanced economic theory, and more.
Students in the Online MS in Finance degree program are prepared for management and professional positions in investment banking, corporate finance, financial markets, financial management, government securities companies, and other sectors.
The Master in Finance degree includes concentrations in Corporate Finance and Investment and Securities.
The online MBA in Finance, combined with a test-prep course, prepares students to take the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1 exam.
8. Florida Institute of Technology
The Master of Business Administration-Finance degree program, rooted in the case method approach, combines real-world applications with academic principles.
The Online MBA-Finance program includes core courses such as Managerial Accounting, Managerial Economics, Organizational Behavior, Financial Management, and Marketing Management.
The Online MBA in Finance degree includes specialization courses such as:
Investment Management
Financial Markets and Institutions
Financial Management Policy
Portfolio Analysis
Florida Tech University was ranked as a Tier 1 Best National University, and also included in the Top Online Education honor roll list for Bachelor’s and Graduate programs, by U.S. News & World Report.
Florida Tech has also been named one of the Southeast’s Best Universities by Princeton Review, rated a Best Buy in Barron’s Best Buys in College Education, and ranked one of the nation’s Best Schools in the Fiske Guide to Colleges.
9. Grand Canyon University, Ken Blanchard School of Business
The MBA with an emphasis in finance includes the servant leadership and value-based management principles of Grand Canyon University’s Ken Blanchard School of Business.
The MBA in Finance degree program covers a broad range of business subjects and principles. The program reviews how to stay competitive in a global marketplace, as well as forecasting and raising funds in capital markets.
Grand Canyon University provides an education from the context of its Christian heritage.
The MBA program includes courses such as:
Finance Principles
Managerial Finance
Strategic Management
Operations Management
Economics
Applied Business Probability and Statistics
Grand Canyon University has been included among the Five Top e-Schools in America’s Best Colleges for Entrepreneurs list, by CNN Money.
10. Post University, Malcolm Baldrige School of Business
The online MBA degree in Finance is designed for professionals currently employed in, or for those seeking to enter, the financial industry.
The Finance MBA program reviews the intricacies of financial organizations, tools, and constructs.
The Online MBA in Finance degree also covers the applications and theories for portfolio management, public financial management, investment management, and financial statement analysis.
The curriculum, which combines theory and practice, focuses on new value creation through innovation and creativity.
The online MBA in Finance degree includes courses such as:
Investment and Portfolio Management
Advanced Financial Statement Analysis
Public Finance Policy and Application
Managing Financial Institutions
References:
http://www.thebestschools.org/blog/2013/03/06/10-best-online-masters-degrees-finance-mba-finance-degree-programs/
http://www.masterstudies.com/Masters-Degree/Online/