Master of Science in Finance

Interested students may apply on the WMU Graduate College application website. After the application has been processed, applicants will be sent notification of program admission and will proceed with the next steps of acceptance, enrollment and registration.

In addition to the admission requirements above, international applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency. Please visit International Student and Scholar Services for information on the proficiency tests WMU accepts.

The M.S.F. program consists of 30 credit hours of graduate coursework, with a quantitative emphasis in the majority of courses. The program has a core of required courses and three specializations from which to choose:

• Corporate financial planning and analysis
• Securities and markets
• Data analytics in finance

FIN 6120 Financial Management

This course focuses on the contemporary study of financial management in order to function effectively across the business supported by the use of quantitative methods. 

FIN 6190 Global Financial Markets and Institutions

The key areas included in this course are contemporary issues in money, capital and foreign exchange markets, multinational financial management, financial instruments and intermediaries in a global context. 

FIN 6220 Corporate Financial Restructuring

This course covers quantitative analysis and evaluation of the financial aspects of various corporate restructuring strategies such as bankruptcy reorganizations, divestitures, leveraged buyouts, spin-offs, break-ups, and mergers and acquisitions. 

FIN 6250 Financial Strategy

The main focus of this course is on value creation, bridging the gap between theory and practice, with application of appropriate financial analysis and valuation techniques a key part of the instruction.

FIN 6260 Financial Operations

This course focuses on financial management, linking short-term finance and operations to overall business strategy and corporate financial performance. 

FIN 6430 Financial Econometrics and Forecasting

Employing statistical methods to conduct financial analysis and forecasts is core to this course; empirical exercises and analysis of financial data are emphasized.

FIN 6450 Financial Modeling

This hands-on course requires students to analyze data by developing a mathematical or computational model, working in teams, ultimately presenting their work. 

FIN 6540 Equity Analysis

This course focuses on detailed quantitative analysis of the investigation of equity securities as long-term investment alternatives. 

FIN 6550 Fixed Income Analysis

The course provides quantitative analysis of fixed income securities as long-term investment alternatives. 

FIN 6560 Derivatives and Risk Management

Topics in the course include a study of derivative securities, their pricing models and practical applications of risk management. 

CIS 6410 Financial Data Analytics

This course introduces key data analytics skills, techniques and tools to analyze financial data. It takes students from basic skills to more advanced forms of analytics.

Accelerated timeline: The Master of Science in Finance can be earned in one year for those who have an undergraduate business degree by enrolling in four courses in fall, four in spring and two in the summer semesters. In addition, the WMU Master of Business Administration can be earned by completing an additional 24 credit hours.

For further information, contact Barb Caras-Tomczak, graduate student advisor.

Email Barb Caras-Tomczak.

The M.S.F. provides expert instruction in the quantitative skills that will set you apart with employers and prepare you for leadership roles. In addition to highly experiential and relevant instruction, you will have access to facilities that will give you a competitive advantage in finance.

• The Greenleaf Trust Trading Room: Use the Bloomberg Terminal to research market movements in real-time and immerse yourself in the technology that investment professionals use.
• The Sanford Center for Financial Planning and Wellness: The center provides financial literacy resources and coaching to the campus and greater West Michigan community, and offers programming related to both financial literacy and personal financial planning.

A research assistantship is an appointment in which a graduate student engages in research under a faculty member’s supervision. For instance, the faculty member might be a principal investigator on a grant or contract. In addition to a stipend, assistants receive benefits such as tuition remission, a parking permit and increased library privileges.

The Master of Science in Finance program is STEM-approved. The program helps candidates improve their quantitative methods in finance, which are in high demand from employers. This STEM qualification can provide international students with up to 24 additional months of occupational training.