Master of Science in Finance (M.S.F.)
UPDATED 9/29/23: The Ilitch School will begin admitting new students to the master of science in finance program for Fall 2024. For more information, please contact the Graduate Programs Office.
The Mike Ilitch School of Business master of science in finance (M.S.F.) is designed for both recent graduates and working professionals with a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or another quantitative field who want to advance or shift their careers. The 10-course, 30-credit degree can be completed in as little as one year of full-time study (fall, spring/summer, and winter) or five semesters on a part-time basis. Students will be equipped with tools, ideas, and frameworks to excel in careers in the dynamic field of finance. A highly accomplished finance faculty, with an excellent reputation, delivers this program.
Statistics compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2018 reported a 30.1 percent increase in financial advisor jobs and a 42 percent increase in financial analyst positions. These statistics reflect a rise in the need for financial professionals.
Curriculum
Students in the Ilitch School's M.S.F. program will be challenged to approach real-world problems with a practical lens, learning specialized skills applicable to careers in corporate finance, investments, and financial analysis. Students can personalize their degrees with elective courses on such topics as corporate valuation, mergers and acquisitions, and futures and options, and will have the opportunity to run a real portfolio through the Student Managed Investment Fund.
The curriculum integrates theories and applications from economics, accounting, mathematics, strategy, and other fields, and incorporates a significant portion of the content of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) level 1 exam. The CFA is the most prestigious license in finance and is widely accepted as the industry standard for investment professionals.
Many M.S.F. classes are held in the planned Trading Room, which is equipped with state-of-the-art hardware, Bloomberg terminals, access to databases and other software programs which deliver a working knowledge of the tools and techniques used in industry today.
Ready to get started?
For further information, contact an advisor or the Department of Finance chair. If you're ready to apply, complete the Wayne State University graduate school application.