Applying to the M.S. in Finance
Application Deadlines
We recommend full-time program applicants interested in merit-based funding consideration apply early as those awards are distributed on a rolling basis typically at or close to the time of admission.
Application Deadlines:
- Fall Semester - August 15
(June 1 for international applicants) - Spring Semester - January 15
(November 1 for international applicants) - Summer Session - May 1
(International applicants are not generally admitted for this term.)
Admissions Requirements
1. Application Fee
A $75 application fee is due when you submit your online application.
2. Bachelor’s Degree
A four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree in any academic field from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required.
3. Transcripts
Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework are required with your application.
4. Resume
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae documenting your prior work experience, publications, honors and awards received and a summary of your educational credentials.
5. Prerequisites
Incoming students are expected to have:
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- An understanding of the fundamentals of finance and accounting concepts (equivalent to FINC311 Principles of Finance, ACCT207 Accounting I and ACCT208 Accounting II)
- Basic computer skills
- Completed college level statistics, calculus and finite mathematics (equivalent to MATH201 Introduction to Statistics I and Math202 Introduction to Statistics II, MATH230 Calculus and MATH221 Finite Mathematics with Applications)
6. GRE or GMAT Scores
Our typical applicant has the equivalent of a 4-year US Bachelor’s degree, a 3.2/4.0 GPA with strong analytical coursework and a minimum of two months of full-time professional internship experience.
If you wish to strengthen your application you may take, at your option, the GMAT/GRE, but submission of scores is not required. If you are not submitting a GMAT/GRE score, please select that you request a waiver on the Test Score Waivers page of the application.
7. Personal Statement
Submit an application essay (personal statement) on the following topic: specifically, how will an M.S. in finance from the Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware help you achieve your professional goals?
8. Two Letters of Recommendation
Submit two letters of recommendation from faculty and/or employers. Letters of recommendation should be completed online or mailed collectively to the Office of Graduate & Professional Education.
If your native language is not English, please solicit at least one recommendation letter from a native English speaker who can attest to your English language skills.
9. Interview
An interview in person or online may be requested.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition
The tuition rate for 2024-2025 is $1,069/credit.Fees
All graduate students are responsible for mandatory fees in the fall and spring semesters. These fees vary based on whether a student is taking the program on a full-time or part-time basis. There are no registration fees for online programs. To verify whether your program is available online, see University of Delaware's online programs page.Please visit the graduate fees and financial aid page in the Graduate Catalog for full details.
Funding Opportunities
Awards
The merit-based opportunities listed on this page are available to full-time students. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 to be eligible for any type of funding.Graduate Scholarships
Graduate scholarships are available for exceptionally qualified full-time applicants. These scholarships may be up to 25% of tuition and are awarded for up to two years. Scholarships are merit-based and require no additional application.Teaching Assistantships
The GradWorks program provides full-time Lerner graduate students (M.S. or MBA) with the opportunity to gain paid, hands-on experience as teaching assistants. Working alongside faculty, students may assist with grading, lead or support class discussions, help prepare course materials, provide in-class support and contribute to special projects. Teaching assistant positions are hourly and may begin as early as a student’s second semester. Students become eligible to apply during their first semester, after they are officially enrolled. Once approved as an eligible candidate, your resume will be shared with academic departments. If your skills align with faculty needs, you may be contacted directly for an opportunity.Graduate Internship Program
The Graduate Internship Program is an elite internship program for full-time students that gives top Lerner College graduate students an opportunity to gain valuable on-the-job experience with a corporate sponsor. For information on opportunities, compensation and application requirements, please visit the career services graduate internship program page.Funding Resources
International Students
International Application Requirements
As an international applicant, you must:- Fulfill all the admissions requirements for domestic students.
- Provide translation and other supporting documents for transcripts.
- Demonstrate English proficiency by doing one of the following:
- Submit a TOEFL score of 100 or higher,
- Submit an IELTS score of 7.5 or higher,
- Provide proof of having earned a college degree in a country where English is the primary language, or
- Apply through the Conditional Admission Program (CAP)
Conditional Admission Program (CAP)
The Conditional Admissions Program (CAP) provides international students acceptance into the program without the need to take the TOEFL exam. After completing CAP at the University of Delaware’s English Language Institute (ELI) you begin your coursework. The length of time you will need to study in the ELI depends on your English skills when you enter the program. Please see the Graduate CAP Business Track page on the ELI website for more information.Graduate Pathways
Graduate Pathways is a one-semester preparation program for international students whose language proficiency approaches the admission requirement (85-99 on the TOEFL iBT or 7.0 on the IELTS). You will take classes in English for graduate studies plus one course from your program with language support from the English Language Institute (ELI). Please see the Graduate Pathways page on the ELI website for more details.Services for International Students
UD and the Lerner College offer many services to help you, both in class and out.- The Conditional Admission Program (CAP)
- Graduate student organizations
- International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)