Finance M.S
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:
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
- An application for graduate admission, including a non-refundable application fee. Apply online by visiting www.lewisu.edu/gradapplication
- Professional resume.
- Undergraduate GPA ≥ 2.75 (conditional admission available to those with GPA < 2.75 - see Student-at-Large/Conditional Admission).
- Official transcripts from all educational institutions attended.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- International students are required to have a TOEFL test score > 550 (213 computer-based; 79 Internet-based) or IELTS score of 6.0.
Student-At-Large/Conditional
A student whose cumulative undergraduate GPA is less than 2.75 will be required to take three specified Foundation level courses and obtain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 after the completion of these courses. Students must meet this requirement on their first attempt. No further courses will be allowed if the GPA requirement is not met.
If a student has already taken a required Foundation course as an undergraduate, and earned a grade of B or higher, they then choose from the following three Core courses: 66-550 Managerial Accounting; 66-554 Managerial Economics, or 66-572 Managerial Finance.
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 eight-week session 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.
Degree Offered: Master of Science
Total Credit Hours Required: 36
Curriculum
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 |
| 66-579 | Investment Analysis | 3 |
| 66-586 | International Finance | 3 |
| 66-584 | Derivatives I | 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.