Finance, MS

Program Information

The Master of Science in Finance is a specialized, technical degree program that provides in-depth exposure to the principles and practices of corporate finance. It is a primary objective of this program to ensure that, by the time they graduate, students will have acquired the specialized skills and knowledge needed to add immediate value to their organizations in their roles as financial managers. This degree is intended for students who have made a professional commitment to this key business discipline and who are interested in equipping themselves with the most comprehensive array of analytical tools and techniques.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the MS in Finance 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, taking into account the impact of markets, institutions, and international trends on these decisions. Understand whether or to what extent a financial market satisfies the conditions of an efficient market.
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.
Evaluate the corporate governance structures of firms and examine the interactions, from a governance perspective, among firm management, financial markets, and stakeholders.
Describe and evaluate the ethical implications of financial decision-making and financial practices, assess alternative recommendations for solutions to ethical financial problems, and offer appropriate resolutions to those problems.

Requirements for the Master of Science in Finance

The Master of Science in Finance 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 the student has 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

ACCTG 1A Introductory Financial Accounting 3 unit(s)
BUS 240 Data Analysis for Managers 3 unit(s)

Advanced Program - 30 units

Required Courses - 21 units

ACCTG 351C Analysis of Financial Information for Accountants 3 unit(s)
ECON 380 Financial Markets and Institutions 3 unit(s)
FI 300 Corporate Finance 3 unit(s)
FI 307 Financial Modeling 3 unit(s)
FI 340 Investments 3 unit(s)
FI 347 Financial Engineering and Risk Management 3 unit(s)
FI 428 Business Valuation 3 unit(s)

Elective Courses - 9 units

Finance Electives - 6 units

Select two of the following:

FI 315 Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis 3 unit(s)
FI 318 Venture Capital and Start-Up Financing 3 unit(s)
FI 350 Portfolio Management 3 unit(s)
FI 360 Behavioral Finance 3 unit(s)
FI 497 Internship: Finance 3 unit(s)

Other Elective - 3 units

Select one ACCTG, FI, or MSBA 300/400-level course.

Concentration

Instead of completing 9 units of elective courses, students may complete the following program concentration: Technical Analysis Concentration