Apr 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Graziadio Academic Catalog 
  
2023-2024 Graziadio Academic Catalog

Master of Science in Applied Finance


The MS in Applied Finance (MSAF) program is comprised of 41 units to be completed in three consecutive trimesters and has an optional fourth trimester. The degree is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in financial services by developing in-demand expertise in areas such as business valuation, equity analysis, and investment banking. The program also prepares students for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam.

MSAF program learning goals and outcomes state the educational expectations of student achievement for each degree program. These goals are defined by faculty members to clarify how they intend for graduates to be competent and effective as a result of successfully completing the program.

The curriculum for the MSAF program consists of the following:

Core Courses                 33 units

Career Seminar               0 units

Elective Courses             8 units

Total Units                     41 units

Electives


Students are required to complete 8 units of electives from the list below.

Elective course availability will vary per term and year based on instructor availability, enrollment, and program needs. Although elective courses are not guaranteed to be scheduled on a regular cycle, students will be provided a choice of relevant options from the program’s elective list during course registration.

Optional Fourth Trimester


Students have the opportunity to enroll in an optional practicum to further apply and enhance their knowledge. The practicum will be completed in the fourth trimester and there may be additional tuition charges depending on the option selected.

Students must have a minimum CGPA of 3.0 to be eligible for the practicum and will need to submit a petition to the program office for consideration. There are four options, which is designed to span one trimester:

  1. PGBS 695 Internship (0-8)  (0 units required) Students will be required to complete a full-time internship.
  2. PGBS 696 Field Project (0-2)  (2 units required) Students will need to identify a field project topic to be approved by a sponsoring faculty and the chair of the MSAF program committee.
  3. PGBS 697 Applied Research (2)  Students will need to identify a research topic to be approved by a sponsoring faculty and the chair of the MSAF program committee.
  4. PGBS 691 Study Abroad (0-16)  Students may spend a trimester abroad as a full-time student at one of the Graziadio School international partner business schools. Upon approval by the program office, 12 units of course work of comparable scope and content may be taken at the international partner school. Students will enroll at the Graziadio School in the appropriate number of PGBS Study Abroad course units. When the courses are completed at the international partner university, their course designation will be added to the enrollment record so that they will appear on the student’s transcript. These courses will be graded credit or no credit only.

Notes


  1. Students who have passed Level 1 of the CFA exam are eligible to waive the ECNM 658 course. In lieu of ECNM 658, students will complete four additional units of elective coursework.
  2. Students must complete career development requirements before registering for the final trimester of study.