Degree Offered
Master of Science in Finance (MSF)
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Finance is designed for students who wish to sit for the CFA Level I and Level II exams. The 31 units of coursework include one unit of ethics, six units of accounting, 15 units of finance, six units of economics and quantitative methods, and three units of management skills. In particular, each student is required to take a three-unit student-managed fund course in which students gain hands-on experience making investment decisions and operate a nearly $5 million investment fund. Students with an undergraduate degree in finance, economics, math, or related areas complete the program in two semesters. Students who do not have such a background may need an extra two semesters to complete the coursework necessary for the program.
Graduate Admission Requirements
Admission to the Master of Science in Finance is competitive and based on criteria that indicate a high promise of success. Performance in prior coursework and any relevant work experience are indications of future success.
Academic Preparation:
- Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university, as indicated in an official transcript.
- Applicants will typically have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
Professional Experience:
- There is no minimum work experience required for admission.
International Students:
- See the Office of Graduate Admission for criteria for International Students
Graduate Program Prerequisites
For applicants from the University of the Pacific, the admission requirements are:
- BUSI 105 with a grade of "B" or better.
- BUSI 031, BUSI 033, ECON 053, ECON 055, MATH 045, and MATH 037, or their equivalents, a minimum "B" average across all of the courses.
For applicants from outside of the University of the Pacific, students are required to have competitive performance in a fundamental financial management course, as well as in courses of economics, accounting, and math.
Master of Science in Finance
Requires 31 Units
| BUSI 218 | Advanced Financial Accounting Graduate Level | 3 |
| BUSI 220 | Advanced Corporate Finance | 3 |
| BUSI 222 | Student Investment Fund | 3 |
| BUSI 225 | Investments/Portfolio Analysis | 3 |
| BUSI 226 | Financial Statement Analysis | 3 |
| BUSI 230 | Ethics in the Investment Profession | 1 |
| BUSI 231 | Quantitative Methods in Finance | 3 |
| BUSI 232 | Economics for Finance | 3 |
| BUSI 233 | Fixed Income Securities | 3 |
| BUSI 234 | Derivative and Alternative Investment | 3 |
| BUSI 277 | Management Skills | 3 |
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Science in Finance program will exhibit the following:
1. Professional Competency
a. demonstrate the ability to collect and quantitatively analyze financial data.
b. apply financial analysis techniques.
c. demonstrate the ability to make informed investment decisions and manage risk.
2. Ethics
a. demonstrate an understanding of the provisions of the CFA Institute's Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
b. recognize and resolve ethical issues in financial decision-making.
3. Communication
a. effectively communicate in ways appropriate to the audience and the subject matter.
b. effectively lead or cooperate with team members in conducting complex investment analyses.
