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.

This degree program is designated as 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.      

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate the ability to:

  • 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.

Employment Opportunities

Finance students are prepared for a number of different careers in business.

Examples of fields in which Master of Finance graduates can find finance-related occupations include the following: commercial, mortgage, and investment banking; corporate finance; investments; portfolio management; financial analysis; securities analysis; loan analysis; risk management and insurance; stock brokerage; government banking and securities regulation; government finance; and teaching and research.

Effective Fall 2020 

Required Courses
FIN 600Financial Management3
FIN 611Financial Institutions Management3
FIN 625Quantitative Methods in Finance3
FIN 655Investments3
FIN 665Derivative Securities and Analysis3
FIN 675International Finance3
Electives
Select a minimum of 12 credits from the following:12
Financial Modeling
Advances in Financial Technology
Enterprise Valuation
Alternative Investments
Behavioral Finance
Advanced Portfolio Management
Real Estate Finance and Investments
Program Total Credits:30