Master of Science in Finance
Access a new level of success with a Master of Science (MS) in Finance from the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business. Whether you see yourself making an impact in the public or private sector, this STEM-designated program strengthens your understanding of key theories and applications while helping you develop the skills, connections and, ultimately, the credentials to lead in financial planning, risk management or another in-demand discipline.
This program encompasses a blend of hands-on research, project-based learning and expert classroom preparation. Students in Lindner’s Master’s in Finance program develop a distinctive and customized study plan that builds both broad knowledge and training specific to five specialization areas: investments, corporate finance, financial planning, risk management or real estate.
How does the Master of Science in Finance degree differ from an MBA degree?
The Lindner Master of Science in Finance program is for professionals who have a strong interest in finance and a desire to pursue a career as a finance professional. In contrast, the MBA degree is meant for individuals with leadership aspirations which require general management skills. The Master of Science in Finance program has a narrow focus on finance as opposed to the broad exposure to all aspects of business (including finance, accounting, economics, marketing and management) supplied by the MBA curriculum.
When is the application deadline?
Information regarding upcoming application deadlines can be found on our graduate admissions page.
Can full-time students begin the program in the spring semester?
Yes. But the program will require an extra semester to complete the degree based on course scheduling.
Do I need an undergraduate degree in Finance in order to be accepted into the program?
No, the program welcomes applicants from all academic and professional backgrounds. Please note that students without an undergraduate business degree may be required to take additional business foundational courses. See the program curriculum for more information.
Do I need work experience in order to qualify for admission?
No, there is no specified minimum work experience requirement for admission into the program.
How many classes does the average student take each semester?
We recommend that full-time students take five or six courses (usually 15 credits) per semester. The University of Cincinnati Master of Science in Finance program is designed to be completed in two semesters with students taking five courses each semester. Please note that international students are generally required to carry a full course load in order to maintain their immigration status.
How long does it take to complete the degree requirements?
The program is designed to be completed by full-time students in two semesters. Students who have not already satisfied the prerequisites will need to satisfy those prior to beginning the program.
Can I earn the MS-Finance degree as a part-time student?
Yes. The pace at which part-time students progress towards their degree varies with their individual situations. By taking an average of six hours per semester, a part-time student can finish the program in five (5) semesters. If classes are taken during the summer as well, a part-time student could begin during the fall semester and finish during the second spring semester (about 20 months). Students who have not already satisfied the prerequisite requirements or who take fewer hours per semester will obviously take a little longer to complete the program.
Finance Master’s Program Requirements and Outcomes
The Master of Science in Finance degree’s 30-38 credits can be completed in as little as two semesters (nine months) full time. You can meet the degree requirements in around five semesters as a part-time student. Bridging both applied and theoretical understandings of how financial concepts function in the real world, the MS in Finance covers theories of financial decision making, financial statement and equity analysis and evaluating options and futures.
Degree requirements for the MS in Finance include:
- Up to 4 Business Foundations courses
- 23 credit hours in core finance course requirements
- 2-3 credit hours in focus area courses
- 5-6 hours in elective credits in finance, real estate, or other graduate business courses
Students holding an undergraduate business degree may have satisfactory training to meet Business Foundations requirements, decreasing the number of required courses.
Review the MS in Finance Program Curriculum for more information about admission requirements and the program curriculum.
Master’s in Finance Focus Areas
By selecting a focus area, MS in Finance students can design a flexible program that aligns with their career goals. The following specialization options develop a breadth and depth of knowledge that supplements our robust core curriculum. Currently, finance students can select to focus their studies in:
- Financial Planning
- Corporate finance
- Investments
- Real estate
- Risk management
Capstone Project Options
The Master of Science in Finance’s capstone component is an opportunity to measure your skills and knowledge through hands-on applications alongside real-world partners. Students in the Master’s in Finance program will complete their capstone in one of two ways:
Organized by the Cincinnati Chapter of the Association of Corporate Growth (ACG), for the last ten years the University of Cincinnati has participated in the ACG Cup case competition. MS Finance students who participated in the 2017-2018 Cincinnati ACG Cup case competition and finished within the top four teams satisfied the first element of their capstone requirement. Students also need to complete their capstone essay for their capstone requirement to be fulfilled.
Students work with Finance faculty and an industry partner on a research project. The project will be presented to participants in the first week of spring semester, with project presentations being concluded by the first week of April. As with the ACG Cup, participants will need to complete their capstone essay for their capstone requirement to be fulfilled.
For both the ACG cup case competition and the research project options, students write a culminating essay about their experience.
STEM-Designated and Top-Ranked MS in Finance
As a Science, Technology Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-designated master’s program, the MS in Finance is an ideal option for international applicants. Enriching the diverse student population and the greater community of the University of Cincinnati, international students who apply to the MS in Finance can extend their training in the U.S. by 24 months after graduation
Career Outcomes
When you graduate from the MS in Finance program, the real-world experience and theoretical knowledge you’ve garnered will have prepared you to excel in various finance and financial management settings. Lindner finance graduates have attained employment in career paths such as:
- Investment banking
- Private finance
- Venture capital
- Wealth management
- Portfolio management
- Real estate
They’ve been hired at successful companies and organizations such as:
- Citibank
- Goldman Sachs
- EY
- Fifth Third Bank
- Fidelity
- United Nations
Our graduates achieve a 92% placement rate within three months of graduation, earning an average starting salary of $85,901.
Why Earn a Master’s in Finance at Lindner?
Our MS in Finance is regarded as an affordable, top-ranked master’s program.
The two-pronged agenda of this program, as I see, is to develop students into true-blue professionals that have unique personalities, and equip them in getting there. The faculty are always available to guide you, in academics or career management. This personable approach is the hallmark of this program for me.
Anurag Sahay, MS '19
Further Your Career in Just One Year
The courses you take in the MS in Finance program are designed to prepare you to earn credentials as a financial analyst, financial planner, or risk manager. When you complete the curriculum requirements, you’ll be equipped to take the:
- Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) exam
- Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP) exam
- Financial Risk Manager (FRM) exam
While master’s-level training in finance can open career opportunities in many industries, earning further credentials in these areas demonstrates your professional abilities to future employers and private clients.
Work With Community Partners
Throughout the time you spend in the MS in Finance, you’ll enjoy several opportunities to work with industry leaders through the University of Cincinnati’s community partnerships. For instance, UC’s close ties to the Cincinnati chapter of the Association of Corporate Growth (ACG) have led to us participating in the ACG Cup case competition for the last ten years.
Through an academic partnership with the Global Association for Risk Professionals (GARP), the organization that offers the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification exam, students in the Master’s in Finance program can attend career-oriented training and benefit from professional development opportunities such as.
- Eligibility for student research grants (up to $3,000 each per semester).
- Nomination of up to six students for FRM Part 1 exam scholarships.
- Complimentary copies of relevant study materials.
- Networking opportunities with some of GARP’s 263,000 global members.
Founded in 1996, GARP is a membership association for risk managers. GARP offers foundational and certificate programs in risk management, the best known of which is the FRM certification.
Contact Us
Michael Neugent
Assistant Professor-Educator and Director, MS Finance Program, Department of Finance, Real Estate, and Insurance and Risk Management