Financial Analytics, MS

Program Information

The Master of Science in Financial Analytics is a specialized, technical program that provides in-depth exposure to the principles and practices of corporate finance and business analytics. The primary objective of the program is to ensure that graduating students acquire the specialized skills and knowledge that they will need to add immediate value to their organizations in their roles as Financial Analysts. This program is a STEM-designated degree program.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the MS in the Financial Analytics degree program will have the knowledge and skills to:

Evaluate and explain financial decisions regarding the firm’s investment and long- and short-term financing strategies by applying financial theory, quantitative decision-making tools, and analytical methods.
Apply economic analysis to the firm’s decision-making, considering the impact of markets, institutions, and international trends on these decisions.
Define and measure business and financial risk. Describe the relationship between risk and return, and distinguish between expected and required returns. Explain how risk affects the valuation of real and financial assets, and describe techniques for managing risk.
Interpret and analyze individual business problems using data, selecting the best analytic approach and appropriate tools for extracting value from the data available.
Use visual outcomes of analytics to communicate effective messages and recommendations for management teams.

Requirements for the Master of Science in Financial Analytics

The Master of Science in Financial Analytics requires completion of 6 units in the foundation program and 30 units in the advanced program, with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 or better in courses taken at Golden Gate University that are applicable to the program’s requirements. Foundation program courses may be waived in accordance with university policy regarding course waivers. Courses carry three semester units of credit unless otherwise noted. For further information regarding graduation requirements, see Academic Requirements for Graduate Programs .

All course prerequisites must be satisfied prior to enrolling in a given course and are indicated in the course description for each course. Individual foundation program courses may be waived if students have previously completed comparable courses at a regionally accredited college or university. Students may enroll in advanced program courses before they have completed the entire foundation program (provided they have met any course prerequisites) but must complete the foundation program by the time that they have enrolled in 12 units in the advanced program.

Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement

Students are expected to possess proficiency in writing to ensure they can be successful in their course of study. Students may meet this requirement by satisfying one of the screening criteria listed under the Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement .

Graduate Mathematics Proficiency Requirement

Students are expected to possess a level of mathematical proficiency at least equivalent to MATH 20 Applied Intermediate Algebra . Students may meet this requirement by satisfying one of the screening criteria listed under the Graduate Mathematics Proficiency Requirement .

Foundation Program - 6 units

Advanced Program - 30 units

Required Courses - 27 units

ACCTG 351C Analysis of Financial Information for Accountants 3 unit(s)
FI 300 Corporate Finance 3 unit(s)
FI 307 Financial Modeling 3 unit(s)
FI 340 Investments 3 unit(s)
FI 346 Derivative Markets 3 unit(s)
ITM 304 Managing Data Structures 3 unit(s)
MSBA 300 Foundations of Business Analytics 3 unit(s)
MSBA 320 Advanced Statistical Analysis with R and Python 3 unit(s)
MSBA 326 Machine Learning for Predictive Analytics 3 unit(s)

Elective Course - 3 units

Select any ACCTG, ECON, FI, or MSBA 300/400-level course, which may include FI 497 Internship: Finance .