MS-Finance Admissions
How do I apply to the program?
You begin the process with an online application. This application is required of all graduate applicants to the University of Cincinnati. This form must be completed online. There is a $65 application fee for domestic students and a $70 application fee for international students.
August 1 is the final deadline for admission. We encourage you to apply early as applications are considered on a rolling basis until the final deadline or until all program slots are filled. Space is limited. Applications will be considered after this date only under special circumstances. Note that the priority deadline for financial aid is March 15 of each year.
What do I need to submit to complete the application?
We must receive all of the following items in the Graduate Programs Office in the Lindner College of Business prior to evaluating your application package for an admission decision:
UC Application for General Graduate Admission—This application is required of all graduate applicants to the University of Cincinnati. There is an application fee of $65 for domestic applications and $70 for international. The application must be completed online.
GMAT or GRE Scores—Have your official scores sent directly to us by Educational Testing Services (our ETS number is 1833). Scores are valid for five years. To register for the GMAT, you may call 1-800-GMAT-NOW or register via the internet at gmat.org. To register for the GRE, you may call 1-800-GRE-CALL, or register via the internet at gre.org.
Academic Transcripts—Please have official transcripts sent to you in a sealed envelope from each college or university you have attended—regardless of whether you graduated or how many credit hours you earned. Include all transcripts in their originally sealed envelopes as part of your application. (Download the transcript request form.) International students from institutions that do not issue academic transcripts can submit certified copies of their mark sheets. There is no need to send transcripts from UC programs because those will be automatically captured by the application system once your application starts being processed.
Applicants should submit their transcripts directly to the following address:
Graduate Programs Office
Carl H. Lindner College of Business
Attention: MS-Finance Program
Carl H. Lindner Hall
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0020
Letters of Recommendation—You need recommendations from at least two people who are familiar with your ability and accomplishments. Your recommenders will receive an email automatically from the UC Graduate School with instructions how to submit their recommendation online.
Résumé or CV—You must include a current résumé or CV with your application.
Statement of Purpose—You must include a statement of purpose with your application. Tell us in 500 words or less how the MS-Finance program at UC will further your career goals.
Official TOEFL Scores—If English is not your native language, you must also provide us with your TOEFL score. Scores should be sent directly to the university from ETS (Our ETS code is 1833). Information about TOEFL is available on the internet at toefl.org. UC also accepts the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. Minimum TOEFL and IELTS Scores are:
- Internet-Based Test: 100
- Computer-Based Test: 250
- Paper-Based Test: 600
- IELTS: 7.0
What happens next?
Once all of these items have been received, your application package will be sent to the Director of the MS-Finance program and an admission decision will be made in consultation with the MS-Finance committee. We consider candidates' backgrounds, interests, professional goals, and how these fit with those of our faculty and program areas of focus. Because space in our program is limited, the admission committee makes qualitative assessments of how candidates will contribute to a diverse class and rich learning environment.
Once an admission decision has been made, the decision is relayed to the Graduate Programs Office, whose staff will send you an official letter with the decision.
For international applicants, additional information (e.g., help with visa issues) may be obtained from the International Student Services Office.
If you have questions, please contact:
Michael Ferguson
Associate Professor of Finance and Director, MS-Finance Program
415 Carl H. Lindner Hall
PO Box 210195
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0195
michael.ferguson@uc.edu
(513) 556-7080
