Finance (M.S.)

Lerner College recognizes that financial management is key to both asset management and asset creation in every industry. The master of science in finance program covers both quantitative and qualitative aspects of financial decision making, including risk management, capital budgeting, investments, financing and corporate governance. Emerge ready to meet a growing demand for principled financial experts capable of practical, hands-on business problem solving.

Program Highlights

The Lerner M.S. in finance curriculum is based on the financial theory and empirical methods employed by professionals practicing corporate finance, financial security valuation, financial modeling, portfolio management, financial services management, financial risk management and corporate governance. You will gain a nuanced grasp of short- and long-term capital investment, the risks and rewards of mergers and acquisitions, and how to deal with financial distress.

Program Requirements

STEM OPT Program

This STEM-designated degree program provides international students 24 months of OPT (Optional Practical Training) in addition to the original 12 months.

Program Format Options

Choose from five paths through the master’s in finance program, each suited to your specific current job position, career and salary goals, and life situation.

• M.S. Accelerated Program
  If you already hold a B.S. in finance, you can complete the M.S. in finance in one year of intensive study (fall and spring semester, Winter and Summer sessions). This program is for you if you have excellent quantitative skills and can devote your full-time efforts to your coursework.
• Full Time
  The full-time program offers more flexibility than the accelerated program and usually takes 18 months to complete. You can choose from a wide choice of elective courses and perhaps pursue an internship.
• Limited Part-time Program
  If your work schedule is flexible, you can complete the M.S. in finance on a part-time schedule while working by taking some courses in the daytime. Some courses may also be offered in the evening.
• Dual MBA/M.S. in Finance Program
  Our dual MBA/M.S. in finance program combines the strategic business skills of the MBA with the in-depth study of finance.
• B.S. + M.S. Accelerated (4+1) Degree Program
  With the accelerated B.S. in finance + M.S. in finance, you can complete the necessary 145 credit hours needed to earn both the B.S. and M.S. in finance, in less time and with fewer credits than if completed separately.

Program Checklists

Accelerated Program Checklist (PDF)
Full-Time Program Checklist (PDF)
Accelerated (4+1) Flyer (PDF)

Career Opportunities

Your M.S. in finance degree can prepare you for a variety of career options and goals, from Wall Street to Main Street and business centers around the world.

Corporate finance positions can be found in companies of all sizes, from large, international entities to small start-ups. Additional corporate finance positions include financial analysts, treasurers and internal auditors.

• Corporate finance
  Help large and mid-sized companies secure and manage the capital necessary to run the enterprise, while maximizing corporate value and reducing financial risk. Oversee financial statements, developing forecasts, creating models, studying potential acquisitions and developing capital spending programs.
• Investment banking
  Help clients acquire capital by creating and issuing debt and equity securities. Play a key role in facilitating financial reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions.
• Investment research
  Examine and evaluate a firm’s financial statements and economic trends. Produce reports and models used by banks or large investors to make portfolio recommendations and decisions.
• Private wealth management
  Serve a base of high net worth clients by providing comprehensive and personalized financial planning services such as investment and risk management strategies.
• Real estate finance
  Produce information that helps a company or client locate, purchase, develop and sell buildings and properties.
• Advisory services and consulting
  Conduct expert and independent analysis on matters such as asset valuation or financial issues required for litigation.

Graduate & MBA Success

After graduation in 2023, 97% of students were employed (earning an average salary of $96,234). The Career Outcomes website reports what our graduates do, where they work and the salaries they make.

Industry-Proven Faculty

Lerner finance faculty bring deep applied research knowledge, extensive corporate experience, and wide-reaching association memberships and networks — all of which can lead you to fresh insights on a changing global economy and industry. Faculty expertise includes such areas as:

• Corporate finance
• Valuation
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Corporate Governance
• International Finance
• Pensions
• Initial Public Offerings

News

• What Is Fintech? - This article explains what fintech is, introduces jobs and salaries in the field and compares different ways of learning the subject.
• Lerner Graduate Student Stories: Tolulope Komolafe - Tolulope Komolafe, a native of Newark, Del., is pursuing her MSc finance degree and is expected to graduate in May 2024.
• Lerner Student Juan Barbecho Attends Expanding Diversity in Economics Summer Institute - Juan Barbecho participated in the University of Chicago’s transformative program hosted by the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics
• What is a STEM Degree - What are the advantages of STEM degrees? What are STEM-designated degrees? And, how can foreign students harness them to optimize their education and professional experiences in the U.S.?
• Gender disclosure rules can make a difference - Lerner's Laura Field, Dept. of Finance Chair, examines a corporate governance issue that has drawn broad attention is the under­representation of females on corporate boards.

Admissions Information

Learn more about master of science in finance admissions requirements, deadlines, tuition and financial aid available to you.