Best University for investment banking
Individuals with a Master of Finance degree, or an MBA in Finance, often navigate the world of complicated financial instruments and regulatory requirements on behalf of companies and financial institutions throughout the world.
Individuals who know how to acquire and manage money are valued in just about every industry, including nonprofits and government agencies.
Those with an MS in Finance or a Master of Business Administration in Finance are prepared for careers in corporate finance in areas such as divisional financial analysis, treasury, cash management, credit analysis, and financial analysis.
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Master of Finance Degree Curriculum
Most Master of Science in Finance degree programs focus on finance and the financial markets, emphasizing equity evaluation, mathematical finance, and investment management. Programs awarding master’s degrees in finance also tend to emphasize financial theory and quantitative methods in financial management.
Students in these programs typically participate in applied research and modeling, and learn how to make smart financial decisions for companies, institutions, and individuals.
Financial specializations are available in areas such as:
- Corporate finance
- Public finance
- Consumer finance
- Insurance investment management
- Financial markets
- Quantitative finance
- International finance
- Banking
The Master of Finance degree programs have a macro and a micro component; students learn how the global financial system works and how companies and individuals evaluate risk and returns, make good business decisions, and raise capital.
Most Master of Science in Finance degree programs cover subjects such as:
- Financial modeling
- Risk management
- Financial investments
- Portfolio Management
- Econometrics
- Financial Reporting
- Mergers and acquisitions
Most MBA in Finance degree programs cover subjects such as:
- Investments
- Derivatives
- Portfolio strategies and analysis
- International investments
Master of Finance versus MBA in Finance
Individuals seeking a strong focus on finance typically select a Master of Finance degree, whereas those interested in a more general business education with more courses in management and other business disciplines acquire a MBA with a concentration in Finance. Those with an MBA in Finance are prepared to seek a management position immediately upon graduation.
Many of the Master of Finance degree programs can be completed in a year, whereas an MBA in Finance typically take two to three years to complete.
A Master of Finance degree program can be a good choice for people who have recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree, since many MBA programs require applicants to have completed several years of work experience.
The financial courses in the MBA in Finance programs are typically similar to those included in a Master of Finance program.
Master Degree in Finance Job Opportunities
- Investment banker
- Asset/wealth or private equity manager
- Financial analyst
- Mutual funds manager
- Financial risk manager
- Financial planner
- Corporate finance officer
- Chief financial officer
- Venture capitalist
MBA in Finance Jobs
- Personal Finance
- Public Sector
- Securities Sales Agent
- Investment manager
- Finance manager
- Financial advisor
One-Hundred-Percent Online Master of Finance and MBA in Finance Degree Program Ranking Guidelines
We selected the following 100% online Master in Finance and MBA Finance degree programs based on the quality of each school’s program, the types of courses offered, the faculty, rankings, awards, and reputation, including the school’s reputation for effectively providing online degree programs.
The online MBA with an emphasis in finance degree is designed to help students advance in their current career path in the financial services industry or corporate finance.
The program reviews leading-edge financial theories, as well as the concepts and analytical techniques used to manage businesses in a global environment.
The W.P. Carey School of Business has received accreditation from the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
The MBA in Finance core curriculum covers subjects such as managerial accounting, financial accounting, managerial fiance, statistics for managers, organization theory and behavior, global business environment, strategic management, and other subjects.
The MBA with a concentration in finance includes electives such as:
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Advanced Corporate Finance
- Investment Fundamentals/Portfolio Management
- International Financial Management
Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business was ranked #2 in the 2013 Best Online Graduate Business Programs list, and #30 in the 2012 Best Business Schools list, by U.S. News & World Report. ASU was also ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s list of Top-Tier U.S. Universities.
The full-time MBA provided by the W.P. Carey School of Business was ranked #59 in a global survey by The Economist. The W.P. Carey School of Business itself has been ranked #1 for research productivity by Technovation, and #21 for research productivity by the University of Texas at Dallas.
Arizona State University has been ranked #79 in the world, and #26 among public universities in the United States, by the Academic Ranking of World Universities, a publication established by the Shanghai Jiaotong University. ASU has also been named one of America’s “Best College Buys” by Forbes magazine.
2. Penn State World Campus
The online Master of Finance degree program is designed for people interested in careers as financial professionals in financial management or investment management.
The program covers subjects such as financial modeling, including basic statistics, capital budgeting, and forecasting.
The online Master’s degree in finance also covers advanced subjects involving strategic financial decisions, such as capital structure and cost of capital, valuation, and corporate control. Students also learn about financial derivatives, securities, covering options, forwards and futures, and OTC derivatives.
The online Master of Finance degree program, accredited by the AACSB, prepares students for professional certifications such as the Chartered Financial Analyst certification.
The online Master’s degree in finance program utilizes a cohort model in which all the online students begin the online Master of Finance degree program at the same time and progress through the courses together.
Penn State University World Campus was ranked #19 in the Best Online Graduate Business Programs, and #12 in the Top Public Schools list, by U.S. News & World Report in 2012. In 2011, the school was ranked #12 nationally by SmartMoney magazine in its Colleges That Help Grads Get Top Salaries list.
Penn State University World Campus has a combination of high peer and instructional quality, excellent student satisfaction indicators, and a world-class reputation.
3. Washington State University
The online MBA with a concentration in finance covers the principles of international finance, including financial management of multinational corporations and international investments.
