MSFA Curriculum
Curriculum
The MSFA program is a STEM-designated program. The program also has CFA designation, which provides an excellent opportunity for people working in financial services to advance their careers. Top employers of CFA charter holders are, for instance, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs. A list of detailed class descriptions is available in .
Fall Semester
- FIN 600 Seminar in Business Finance
- FIN 610 Seminar Financial Analysis and Reporting
- FIN 640 Seminar in Quantitative Analysis
- FIN 650 Seminar in Investments
Spring Semester
- FIN 660 Seminar in Financial Institutions and Ethics
- FIN 680 Seminar in Derivatives and Alternative Investments
- FIN 685 Seminar in Fixed Income Securities
- FIN 690 Seminar in Economics and International Finance
Summer Term
- FIN 670 Seminar in Equity Securities and Valuation
- FIN 691 Seminar in Integrated Financial Management
​The culminating experience of the MSFA program is a comprehensive exam offered after the student’s successful completion of the required 10 courses. The comprehensive exam is designed to evaluate the student's comprehensive knowledge of various subjects in finance. The comprehensive exam is given annually during the period after Summer Session I and before the fall semester. The exam lasts 2 hours and 15 mins and a passing grade is needed to satisfy the final requirement for graduation from the MSFA program.
Alignment of the MS Financial Analytics Program with CFA Standards
The main focus of the MSFA program is to meet the increasing domestic and global demands for finance professionals, especially those who want to have a CFA designation. Employers recognize the CFA charter as a reliable way to differentiate the most qualified and determined job applicants, frequently listing the CFA charter as a requirement for certain positions. Further, the CFA Institute website indicates that CFA members are experienced and accomplished working professionals including portfolio managers, research analysts, chief executives and financial advisors.
The CFA designation provides an excellent opportunity for people working in financial services to advance their careers. Top employers of CFA charter holders are, for instance, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs.
To review how the MSFA coursework aligns with the CFA, please review the table below:
CFA Standards | MSFA Curriculum |
|---|---|
| Ethical and Professional Standards | FIN 660 |
| Quantitative Methods | FIN 640 |
| Economics | FIN 690 |
| Financial Reporting and Analysis | FIN 610 |
| Corporate Finance | FIN 600 |
| Equity Investments | FIN 670 |
| Fixed Income | FIN 685 |
| Derivatives | FIN 680 |
| Alternative Investments | FIN 670 |
| Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning | FIN 650 |
