The MS in Finance program is designed to prepare students to advance their careers as effective finance professionals with the relevant knowledge and specialized skills to meet the needs of employers and industry today. Emphasizing a practical approach, the program is taught by industry experts and combines case studies, group discussion, and project-based learning. Graduates will be positioned for careers in corporate finance, investment banking, financial management, financial markets, securities firms, government, and other settings. The program offers three specializations that align with careers in the field: Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®), Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), and Finance for the Professional (Self-Designed). Through a capstone course, the CFA and CFA specializations feature simulation experiences designed to prepare students to sit for the internationally recognized CFA or CFP exams.
Accreditation
Walden University’s MS in Finance program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). ACBSP is a leading specialized accreditation association that identifies and supports excellence in business education.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the MS in Finance program will be prepared to:
- Demonstrate the analytical skills essential for the financial professional.
- Employ communication strategies that display an acute awareness of the needs of the intended audiences.
- Evaluate financial problems to provide reliable recommendations for decision making.
- Evaluate risk and return strategies in the context of an organization’s mission and objectives.
- Apply appropriate principles of valuation to major financial assets and securities.
- Demonstrate the ability to develop recommendations for investment and financial policies to maximize firm value.
- Employ financial knowledge to promote sustainable, socially aware organizations and ethical decision making.
Degree Requirements
- 30 total semester credits
- Core courses (12 semester credits)
- Specialization courses (18 semester credits)
Core Courses (12 semester credits)
Specializations
Course Sequence
The recommended course sequence is as follows:
| Semester | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 |
FNCE 4990 - Business Essentials |
0 semester credits |
|
FNCE 6000 - Decision-Making Tools for Today’s Financial Professional |
3 semester credits | |
|
FNCE 6010 - Analysis and Communication for the Financial Professional |
3 semester credits | |
| Semester 2 |
FNCE 6020 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Accounting and Finance |
3 semester credits |
|
FNCE 6030 - Managerial Finance |
3 semester credits | |
| Semester 3 | Specialization Course 1 | 3 semester credits |
| Specialization Course 2 | 3 semester credits | |
| Semester 4 | Specialization Course 3 | 3 semester credits |
| Specialization Course 4 | 3 semester credits | |
| Semester 5 | Specialization Course 5 | 3 semester credits |
| Specialization Course 6 | 3 semester credits |