This is the first version of the 2023–24 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
The Master of Science in finance program is a three-semester, STEM-designated program. Students have the opportunity to enroll in a combined degree program with the MS in business analytics program, and current University of Iowa undergraduate students may apply to a combined undergraduate degree/MS graduate degree program. For more information, see Combined Programs in this section of the catalog.
Learning Outcomes
Core Competency
- Students acquire and exhibit knowledge about fundamental financial concepts.
Business Applications
- Students acquire and exhibit knowledge about applying financial concepts in business and financial markets.
Communication
- Students effectively communicate finance solutions to business problems.
Team Work
- Students demonstrate the ability to be effective team members in a complex and diverse world.
The Master of Science program in finance requires a minimum of 45 s.h. of graduate credit. A major grade-point average (GPA) and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 is required in all coursework.
The MS with a major in finance requires the following coursework.
Core Courses
Students should consult their academic advisor about the possibility of waiving a core course if they have a major GPA of at least 3.30 in the subject area (consult advisor) or have passed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA, Level 1) Examination.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FIN:8130 | Business Communication (taken spring and fall semesters for 1 s.h. each) | 2 |
| FIN:9150 | Financial Modeling and Firm Valuation | 2 |
| FIN:9200 | Portfolio Management | 3 |
| FIN:9210 | Derivatives | 3 |
| FIN:9220 | Fixed Income Securities | 3 |
| FIN:9300 | Corporate Investment and Financing Decisions | 3 |
| FIN:9400 | Professional Development and Business Acumen (taken fall and spring semesters for 1 s.h. each) | 2 |
| BAIS:9100 | Data and Decisions | 3 |
| MBA:8140 | Corporate Financial Reporting | 3 |
| MBA:8170 | International Economic Environment of the Firm | 3 |
| MBA:8180 | Managerial Finance | 3 |
Electives
Elective credit varies for students. The following elective coursework is possible. Students should consult their advisor.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All students must complete one experiential elective option from these: | ||
| FIN:9225 | Applied Fixed Income Analysis - Hart Fund | 3 |
| FIN:9250 & FIN:9260 | Applied Securities Analysis - Henry Fund I-II | 6 |
| FIN:9390 | Applied Financial Analysis: Industry Project | 3 |
| FIN:9391 | Thesis in Finance - Master of Science in Finance | arr. |
| Any of these: | ||
| FIN:4030 | Securities Industry Essentials Exam Prep | 1 |
| FIN:9140 | Enterprise Risk Management | 3 |
| FIN:9160 | Quantitative Finance and Deep Learning | 3 |
| FIN:9230 | Real Estate Finance and Investments | 3 |
| FIN:9240 | International Finance | 3 |
| FIN:9290 | Alternative Investments and Portfolio Strategies | 2-3 |
| FIN:9310 | Corporate Financial Strategy | 3 |
| FIN:9330 | Investment Banking | 3 |
| FIN:9350 | Wealth Management | 3 |
| ACCT:9030 | Financial Accounting Standards and Analysis | 3 |
| ACCT:9050 | Taxes and Business Strategy | 3 |
| ACCT:9120 | Design and Use of Cost Management Systems | 3 |
| ACCT:9130 | Financial Reporting: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ACCT:9170 | Advanced Accounting Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6040 | Data Programming in Python | 3 |
| BAIS:6050 | Data Management and Visual Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6060 | Data Analysis with R | 3 |
| BAIS:6070 | Data Science | 3 |
| BAIS:6140 | Information Visualization | 3 |
| BAIS:9110 | Advanced Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:9210 | Introduction to Modeling with VBA | 3 |
| CS:4400 | Database Systems | 3 |
| CS:5110 | Introduction to Informatics | 3 |
| ECON:4800 | Econometric Analysis | 3 |
| ECON:5800 | Econometrics | 3 |
| ISE:6760 | Pattern Recognition for Financial Data | 3 |
| ISE:6780 | Financial Engineering and Optimization | 3 |
| STAT:4100 | Mathematical Statistics I | 3 |
| STAT:4101 | Mathematical Statistics II | 3 |
| Additional elective credit possible for courses in analytics, computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, statistics, or actuarial science (e.g., quantitative/technical) with advisor approval | ||
Undergraduate Degree/MS
Students working on an undergraduate degree program at the University of Iowa who are interested in earning the MS in finance may apply to a combined undergraduate degree/MS graduate degree program. The Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) program enables students to begin work on the MS as they complete their baccalaureate degree. Combined degree programs enable students to earn both degrees in less time than it would take to earn the two degrees separately.
Separate application to each degree program is required. Applicants must be admitted to both programs before they may be admitted to the combined degree program. For more information, see the MS in finance Undergraduate to Graduate website.
MS/JD
The combined Master of Science in finance/Juris Doctor program allows students to pursue two degrees simultaneously, earning both more quickly than they would if the degrees were pursued separately. The Department of Finance collaborates with the College of Law to offer the combined program.
Separate application to each degree program is required. Applicants must be admitted to both programs before they may be admitted to the combined program. For more information, see the Juris Doctor, JD (College of Law) in the catalog.
MS/MS in Business Analytics (Career Subprogram)
The combined Master of Science in finance/Master of Science in business analytics with a career subprogram allows students to pursue two degrees simultaneously, earning both more quickly than they would if the degrees were pursued separately. The Department of Finance collaborates with the Department of Business Analytics to offer the combined program.
A single admission application is available for the combined degree program. For more information, see the MS in business analytics (career) in the catalog.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
Applicants must:
- have earned a bachelor's degree from a U.S. college or university, or have earned an equivalent degree from another country;
- submit unofficial transcripts with their application and official transcripts for admission;
- have earned a minimum grade-point average of at least 3.00 or the international equivalent;
- submit a current résumé that includes information about employment (if applicable), education, extracurricular activities, and community involvement; and
- submit a statement of purpose with a maximum length of 500 words.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official test scores to verify English proficiency. Applicants can verify English proficiency by submitting official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test (DET).
Applicants who use the IELTS or DET test are required to take the on-campus English Proficiency Examination.
Application deadlines are as follows.
- Priority deadline: Dec. 15.
- International student deadline: March 15.
- Domestic student deadline: June 15.
The MS in finance program has articulation agreements with Central College, Coe College, Cornell College, Grinnell College, and the University of Northern Iowa that permit conditional graduate admission pending all application requirements are met upon completion of the undergraduate degree.
Visit the MS in finance Admissions website for full admission details.
The Graduate Career Services team offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs. Visit the Graduate Career Services website for details.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Finance, MS
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 45 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; up to 6 s.h. of graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a | ||
| Maintain at least a 2.75 cumulative and program GPA. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| Meet with your Career Management coach and Professional Director. | ||
| Attend Career Management Center sessions offered. | ||
| Apply to and secure a summer internship or arrange a summer research project. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Fall | ||
| BAIS:9100 | Data and Decisions | 3 |
| FIN:9220 | Fixed Income Securities | 3 |
| FIN:9400 | Professional Development and Business Acumen b | 1 |
| MBA:8140 | Corporate Financial Reporting | 3 |
| MBA:8170 | International Economic Environment of the Firm | 3 |
| MBA:8180 | Managerial Finance | 3 |
| Arrange for the Career Management Center to review updated resume, then upload to Handshake. | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| FIN:9150 | Financial Modeling and Firm Valuation | 2 |
| FIN:9200 | Portfolio Management | 3 |
| FIN:9300 | Corporate Investment and Financing Decisions | 3 |
| FIN:9400 | Professional Development and Business Acumen b | 1 |
| FIN:8130 | Business Communication c | 1 |
| Elective course d | 3 | |
| Elective or experiential elective d, e | 3 | |
| Complete end of semester employment placement survey as directed by Career Management. | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
| Summer | ||
| Internship: complete a summer internship f | ||
| Research: complete a summer research project f | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| FIN:9210 | Derivatives | 3 |
| FIN:8130 | Business Communication c | 1 |
| Elective course d | 3 | |
| Elective course d | 3 | |
| Elective or experiential elective d, e | 3 | |
| Complete end of semester employment placement survey as directed by Career Management. | ||
| Meet with your Career Management coach and Professional Director. | ||
| Attend Career Management Center sessions offered. | ||
| Verify completion of all degree requirements with program administrator. | ||
| Apply to and secure post-graduation employment. | ||
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
- a
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- b
- FIN:9400 is taken during both fall and spring of the first year for a total of 2 s.h.
- c
- FIN:8130 is taken during both first year spring and second year fall for a total of 2 s.h.
- d
- Choose electives from a pre-approved list or with departmental approval.
- e
- Spring experiential electives: FIN:9225, FIN:9391, or FIN:9250 (must also take FIN:9260 in fall). Fall experiential electives: FIN:9225, FIN:9391, FIN:9390, FIN:9260 (must have taken FIN:9250 in spring).
- f
- Apply to and secure a summer internship or arrange a summer research project.