The Impact MBA / Master of Finance Dual Degree prepares students to pursue careers in sustainable finance and the growing ESG space (Environmental, Social, Governance). By combining these two degrees, students are better prepared to enter the workforce in this new and growing sector.
The Master of Business Administration, Impact Specialization, is a 44-credit, 3 semester, full-time Resident Instruction program. The program aims to provide business solutions that achieve positive economic, environmental, and social impact. The program educates and prepares future business leaders to take effective roles in organizations that integrate economic, social, and environmental sustainability into core strategy and operations.
CSU's Master of Finance is a highly quantitative, 30-credit program offered on campus that provides a comprehensive study of the principles, processes, and practices of modern finance including investment analysis, portfolio management, financial management, and risk management. The program covers content required for the Chartered Finance Analyst (CFA®) and Financial Risk Manager (FRM®) exams and provides a good foundation for students who want to further their education beyond the master's program.
Both degree programs are designated as in a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) field. The STEM designation allows international students the opportunity to receive a visa extension after they have completed their degree.
With the dual degree, in just 2 years, students can complete the 59 required credits (15 of which are shared between the two programs), including a summer Corporate Sustainability Fellowship. The preferred path (but not the only option) is for students to complete the 3-semester Impact MBA requirements first, including some Master of Finance credits in the 3rd semester, and complete the remaining Master of Finance credits in their 4th semester.
Impact MBA Program Learning Objectives:
- Business Acumen and Integration Skills: Graduates demonstrate competency across business functions and integrate them into strategic decisions.
- Practical Leadership and Management Skills: Graduates demonstrate individual, interpersonal, and organizational leadership skills necessary for professional development and organizational effectiveness.
- Critical and Analytical Thinking: Graduates apply critical thinking and analytical skills for management decision-making.
- External Environment – Ethical, Legal and Regulatory Framework: Graduates consider ethical, legal, and regulatory implications inherent in business situations and apply that knowledge to make responsible decisions.
- Global Perspective: Graduates acquire a global and cross-cultural perspective in formulating decisions and implementing organizational strategy.
- Enterprise Approaches to Global Challenges.
Graduates of the Impact MBA program develop the skills to:
- Assess opportunities for enterprise approaches to address social and environmental challenges.
- Develop, implement, and manage initiatives or enterprises that address global social and environmental challenges.
Master of Finance Program Learning Objectives:
- Describe the function and structure of securities markets and financial intermediaries in a global economic environment.
- Estimate the value and equilibrium rates of return to domestic and international equity and debt claims via models of cash flow and relative value.
- Describe and analyze the use of derivative instruments in managing risks to equity, debt, and currencies in domestic and international markets.
- Describe, estimate, and interpret statistical models of financial risk, returns, volatility, and firm value.
- Explain and demonstrate the concept of arbitrage in valuing firms, financial assets, and derivative instruments.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin or visit the department website.
Effective Fall 2024
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Impact Courses: | ||
| BUS 601 | Quantitative Business Analysis | 2 |
| BUS 620 | Leadership and Teams | 2 |
| BUS 636 | Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity | 3 |
| BUS 687 | Internship | 3 |
| CIS 600B | Project Management: Impact Enterprise | 2 |
| ESS 524 | Foundations for Carbon/Greenhouse Gas Mgmt | 3 |
| FIN 667 | Environmental, Social, Governance Investing | 2 |
| MGT 612 | Managing in a Global Context | 3 |
| MGT 663 | Strategic Opportunities in Impact Enterprise | 3 |
| MGT 665 | Supply Chain Development and Management | 2 |
| MKT 601 | Marketing for Social Sustainable Enterprises | 3 |
| Shared Required Credits: | ||
| FIN 530 | Financial Modeling | 3 |
| FIN 600 | Financial Management | 3 |
| FIN 611 | Financial Institutions Management | 3 |
| FIN 625 | Quantitative Methods in Finance | 3 |
| FIN 655 | Investments | 3 |
| Core Finance Courses: | ||
| FIN 605 | Enterprise Valuation | 2 |
| FIN 665 | Derivative Securities and Analysis | 3 |
| FIN 675 | International Finance | 3 |
| Choose 8 credits from the following: | 8 | |
| Sustainable Agriculture | ||
| Global Sourcing of Textiles and Apparel | ||
| Social Benefit Cost Analysis | ||
| Career Management | ||
| Building and Leading Exceptional Teams | ||
| Sustainability Ethics and Business Practice | ||
| Corp. Social and Sustainable Responsibility | ||
| Building Value Thru Creativity and Innovation | ||
| Ethical, Legal, and Regulatory Issues | ||
| Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation | ||
| Enterprise Computing and Systems Integration | ||
| Principles of Ecosystem Sustainability | ||
| International Climate Negotiations | ||
| Climate Justice and Policy | ||
| Greenhouse Gas Policies | ||
| Global Climate Change | ||
| Life Cycle Assessment for Sustainability | ||
| Advances in Financial Technology | ||
| Fundamentals of International Finance | ||
| Alternative Investments | ||
| Behavioral Finance | ||
| Advanced Portfolio Management | ||
| Sea Level Rise and a Sustainable Future | ||
| Analysis of Sustainable Energy Solutions | ||
| Global Sustainability and Health | ||
| Law and Sustainability | ||
| Sustainable Strategies for E-Waste Management | ||
| Issues in Global Environmental Sustainability | ||
| Water Resources Seminar | ||
| Negotiation and Conflict Management | ||
| Strategic Selling for Business Customers | ||
| Design Thinking for Sustainable Enterprise | ||
| Climate Change Communication and Engagement | ||
| Climate Impacts and Risk Assessments | ||
| Seminar in Environmental Philosophy | ||
| Real Estate Finance and Investments | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 59 | |
A minimum of 59 credits are required to complete this program.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |