Master of Science in Finance

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of how individuals and organizations identify, assess, and manage exposure to financial risk through strategic planning and insurance solutions. The course examines key risk categories, including market, credit, operational, and personal financial risks, and emphasis is placed on strategies used to mitigate them, such as insurance products, portfolio asset diversification, hedging techniques, and risk transfer mechanisms. Students evaluate risk profiles, design integrated insurance and financial plans, and apply risk mitigation frameworks that support long-term financial stability and resilience. Credits: 4

This course introduces students to the basics of corporate finance and financial valuation and builds a solid understanding of financial markets and securities. This course focuses on what corporate finance is and how financial assets and firms are valued in financial markets. The goal of this course is to help students develop their ability to use financial statement information and related disclosures to evaluate the underlying economics of a corporation. Course participants examine the company’s past and current performance and its competitive environment by collecting, analyzing and interpreting data from the firm’s financial database. Students develop a financial model of the firm, in the form of pro forma financial statements, to forecast the firm’s future performance. These projections in turn become the inputs to the valuation techniques, which include discounted cash flow models and residual income (or abnormal earnings). Credits: 4

This course introduces students to mathematical and statistical concepts, integrating financial modeling applications across various finance domains. Quantitative methods and financial modeling are employed to conduct financial analysis, thereby facilitating managerial decision-making. The utilization of quantitative aspects in financial topics and the practical use of tools, including but not limited to Excel, blend data interpretation with technology, enhancing and improving overall analytical skill sets. Credits: 4

This course provides an in‑depth exploration of the instruments, markets, and analytical frameworks that drive investment decisions beyond traditional equities. The course examines the structure, valuation, and risk characteristics of fixed income securities while also introducing students to alternative asset classes such as private equity, hedge funds, real assets, and commodities. Students analyze how interest rates, credit risk, liquidity, and macroeconomic forces influence performance across these markets, and how diversified portfolios incorporate fixed income and alternatives to enhance returns, manage volatility, and achieve strategic investment objectives. Credits: 4

Prerequisite(s): FIN 5480 – Investments & Portfolio Strategies

This course provides a comprehensive examination of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) as a core function in organizational financial management. Students will learn how to develop budgets, forecasts and long-range financial plans that support strategic business goals. Emphasis is placed on understanding the drivers of financial performance, analyzing key variances and making informed recommendations to improve financial outcomes. Students will evaluate business initiatives, assess financial risk and enhance their ability to think critically about organizational resource allocation. The course fosters the development of strong financial judgment and effective communication skills essential for influencing decision-makers in both corporate and public sector settings.

This course provides students with the essential programming foundations needed for business and finance applications. This course introduces core coding concepts such as data structures, data manipulation, functions, scripting, automation, and algorithmic problem-solving techniques. The course emphasizes the development of coding literacy and the practical application of programmatic methods as a powerful tool to address contemporary business challenges. Credits: 4

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in the principles, processes, and analytical tools that guide effective personal financial management. Topics include budgeting and cash flow planning, investment fundamentals, retirement strategies, insurance and risk management, tax considerations, and estate planning basics. Students learn how to assess financial goals, evaluate personal and household financial statements, understand risk tolerance, and integrate key financial planning components into cohesive strategies. By the end of the course, students will have a solid grounding in the financial planning discipline and be prepared to build more advanced competencies in advising, analysis, and long‑term financial decision making. Credits: 4

This is an individual income taxation course designed to focus on strategic tax planning for a variety of taxpayers, including but not limited to: high-income taxpayers that comprise four particular categories of tax filers: high net worth individuals and their families, investors, business owners and retirees. The course includes a review of fundamental federal tax law as it applies to the reporting of gross income, allowance for deductions, application of tax credits and imposition of taxes. The implementation of tax planning strategies to reduce overall tax liability will be a point of emphasis and discussion. Credits: 2

This course focuses on the study of the federal tax rules and regulations related to the transfer of property and wealth by U.S. citizens and residents. We will review and analyze the gift tax system with its deductions, exclusions, and applications, and address the interaction with the estate tax system. We will explore the use of trusts as estate planning vehicles, and will explore the estate tax, including its application, definition of the gross estate, deductions, valuation and planning opportunities. In addition to conducting a review of the gift, trust and estate tax systems, we will also look at the generation skipping tax and its effects on estate planning. Credits: 2

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the financial planning and wealth management area that integrates elements of financial and tax planning. You will learn what wealth management entails, from goal setting, to budget planning, to investment planning along with assessing insurance and retirement needs, and how to assign and allocate assets to heirs. This course will introduce the skills that you need to succeed as a financial advisor and will walk you through the various planning services provided by wealth managers. Credits: 4

This course examines the financial principles, analytical frameworks, and market dynamics that underpin effective real estate portfolio management and investment decision-making. Students develop advanced competencies in evaluating and managing diversified property portfolios through in-depth analysis of cash flows, property valuation techniques, mortgage and capital structures, and real estate investment vehicles. Emphasizing a portfolio perspective, the course explores asset allocation strategies, performance measurement, risk management, and the impact of macroeconomic factors such as interest rates, market cycles, and regulatory environments across residential, commercial, and mixed-use sectors. Students assess real estate opportunities and construct data-driven, strategic investment approaches that optimize returns while managing risk in complex and evolving property markets. Credits: 4

This course provides an in‑depth exploration of the instruments, markets, and analytical frameworks that drive investment decisions beyond traditional equities. The course examines the structure, valuation, and risk characteristics of fixed income securities while also introducing students to alternative asset classes such as private equity, hedge funds, real assets, and commodities. Students analyze how interest rates, credit risk, liquidity, and macroeconomic forces influence performance across these markets, and how diversified portfolios incorporate fixed income and alternatives to enhance returns, manage volatility, and achieve strategic investment objectives. Credits: 4

Prerequisite(s): FIN 5480 – Investments & Portfolio Strategies

This course introduces students to the basics of corporate finance and financial valuation and builds a solid understanding of financial markets and securities. This course focuses on what corporate finance is and how financial assets and firms are valued in financial markets. The goal of this course is to help students develop their ability to use financial statement information and related disclosures to evaluate the underlying economics of a corporation. Course participants examine the company’s past and current performance and its competitive environment by collecting, analyzing and interpreting data from the firm’s financial database. Students develop a financial model of the firm, in the form of pro forma financial statements, to forecast the firm’s future performance. These projections in turn become the inputs to the valuation techniques, which include discounted cash flow models and residual income (or abnormal earnings). Credits: 4

This course focuses on how technology innovation is creating profound changes in the financial services industry. Financial technology (FinTech) is revolutionary and is challenging long-held practices, systems and processes in the financial industry, and even forcing us to rethink the underlying concept of money. Students will learn about these new technologies and trends that are creating opportunities for visionaries. This course provides an introduction to the future of finance, including numerous FinTech applications, cryptocurrencies (e.g., Bitcoin and Ethereum), payment systems, AI, and machine learning (robo-advising). Students are expected to develop a broad understanding of recent FinTech developments, the evolving ethical landscape, changes in regulations, and their broad impact on the financial industry. Students will also have hands-on and problem-solving experiences that can be useful in FinTech applications and innovation. Credits: 4

This course introduces students to mathematical and statistical concepts, integrating financial modeling applications across various finance domains. Quantitative methods and financial modeling are employed to conduct financial analysis, thereby facilitating managerial decision-making. The utilization of quantitative aspects in financial topics and the practical use of tools, including but not limited to Excel, blend data interpretation with technology, enhancing and improving overall analytical skill sets. Credits: 4

How to visualize data and tell a compelling story is a powerful means of communicating with key stakeholders. This course introduces students to the core design considerations and communication strategies behind the creation of captivating data visualizations. Using industry data and intuitive point-and-click tools, students learn to capture the key data analytic takeaways using baselines, scorecards, dashboards and other widely used data summarization techniques. Credits: 4

The ever-expanding access and usage of data bring to light the importance of ethical conduct in relation to business. This course equips students to understand important moral dilemmas of business analytics and artificial intelligence. It is the goal of this course to highlight some of the key data-governance, compliance and usage-related ethical considerations and to provide learners with an opportunity to carefully examine and reflect on those important matters. Credits: 4

This course provides students with the essential programming foundations needed for business and finance applications. This course introduces core coding concepts such as data structures, data manipulation, functions, scripting, automation, and algorithmic problem-solving techniques. The course emphasizes the development of coding literacy and the practical application of programmatic methods as a powerful tool to address contemporary business challenges. Credits: 4

This course introduces students to the basics of corporate finance and financial valuation and builds a solid understanding of financial markets and securities. This course focuses on what corporate finance is and how financial assets and firms are valued in financial markets. The goal of this course is to help students develop their ability to use financial statement information and related disclosures to evaluate the underlying economics of a corporation. Course participants examine the company’s past and current performance and its competitive environment by collecting, analyzing and interpreting data from the firm’s financial database. Students develop a financial model of the firm, in the form of pro forma financial statements, to forecast the firm’s future performance. These projections in turn become the inputs to the valuation techniques, which include discounted cash flow models and residual income (or abnormal earnings). Credits: 4

This course focuses on how technology innovation is creating profound changes in the financial services industry. Financial technology (FinTech) is revolutionary and is challenging long-held practices, systems and processes in the financial industry, and even forcing us to rethink the underlying concept of money. Students will learn about these new technologies and trends that are creating opportunities for visionaries. This course provides an introduction to the future of finance, including numerous FinTech applications, cryptocurrencies (e.g., Bitcoin and Ethereum), payment systems, AI, and machine learning (robo-advising). Students are expected to develop a broad understanding of recent FinTech developments, the evolving ethical landscape, changes in regulations, and their broad impact on the financial industry. Students will also have hands-on and problem-solving experiences that can be useful in FinTech applications and innovation. Credits: 4

This course examines the financial principles, analytical frameworks, and market dynamics that underpin effective real estate portfolio management and investment decision-making. Students develop advanced competencies in evaluating and managing diversified property portfolios through in-depth analysis of cash flows, property valuation techniques, mortgage and capital structures, and real estate investment vehicles. Emphasizing a portfolio perspective, the course explores asset allocation strategies, performance measurement, risk management, and the impact of macroeconomic factors such as interest rates, market cycles, and regulatory environments across residential, commercial, and mixed-use sectors. Students assess real estate opportunities and construct data-driven, strategic investment approaches that optimize returns while managing risk in complex and evolving property markets. Credits: 4

This is the first in a two-course sequence of core intermediate financial accounting courses examining the theory and practice of financial reporting. Students will develop an understanding of the principles involved in the preparation of general-purpose financial statements, primarily as applied to the asset side of the balance sheet, including measurement and disclosure issues and appropriate accounting transactions and methods. The course is designed to help students develop competencies in the major elements of financial accounting needed to make effective business decisions related to the assets of an organization. Credits: 4

This is the second in a two-course sequence of core intermediate financial accounting courses examining the theory and practice of financial reporting. Students will develop an understanding of the principles involved in the preparation of general-purpose financial statements primarily as applied to the liabilities and stockholders’ equity side of the balance sheet, including measurement and disclosure issues and appropriate accounting transactions and methods. The course is designed to help students develop competencies in the major elements of financial accounting needed to make effective business decisions related to liabilities and stockholders’ equity. Credits: 4

This course provides a comprehensive examination of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) as a core function in organizational financial management. Students will learn how to develop budgets, forecasts and long-range financial plans that support strategic business goals. Emphasis is placed on understanding the drivers of financial performance, analyzing key variances and making informed recommendations to improve financial outcomes. Students will evaluate business initiatives, assess financial risk and enhance their ability to think critically about organizational resource allocation. The course fosters the development of strong financial judgment and effective communication skills essential for influencing decision-makers in both corporate and public sector settings.