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 g.p.a. and a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 2.75 is required in all coursework.

The M.S. 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 g.p.a. 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.

FIN:8130Business Communication (taken spring and fall semesters for 1 s.h. each)2
FIN:9150Financial Modeling and Firm Valuation2
FIN:9200Portfolio Management3
FIN:9210Derivatives3
FIN:9220Fixed Income Securities3
FIN:9300Corporate Investment and Financing Decisions3
FIN:9400Professional Development and Business Acumen (taken fall and spring semesters for 1 s.h. each)2
BAIS:9100Data and Decisions3
MBA:8140Corporate Financial Reporting3
MBA:8170International Economic Environment of the Firm3
MBA:8180Managerial Finance3
Total Hours30

Electives

Elective credit varies for students. The following elective coursework is possible. Students should consult their advisor.

All students must complete one experiential elective option from these:
FIN:9225Applied Fixed Income Analysis - Hart Fund3
FIN:9250 & FIN:9260Applied Securities Analysis - Henry Fund I-II6
FIN:9390Applied Financial Analysis: Industry Project3
FIN:9391Thesis in Finance - Master of Science in Financearr.
Any of these:
FIN:4030Securities Industry Essentials Exam Prep1
FIN:9140Enterprise Risk Management3
FIN:9160Quantitative Finance and Deep Learning3
FIN:9230Real Estate Finance and Investments3
FIN:9240International Finance3
FIN:9290Alternative Investments and Portfolio Strategies2-3
FIN:9310Corporate Financial Strategy3
FIN:9330Investment Banking3
FIN:9350Wealth Management3
ACCT:9030Financial Accounting Standards and Analysis3
ACCT:9050Taxes and Business Strategy3
ACCT:9120Design and Use of Cost Management Systems3
ACCT:9130Financial Reporting: Theory and Practice3
ACCT:9170Advanced Accounting Analytics3
BAIS:6040Data Programming in Python3
BAIS:6050Data Management and Visual Analytics3
BAIS:6060Data Programming in R3
BAIS:6070Data Science3
BAIS:6140Information Visualization3
BAIS:9110Advanced Analytics3
BAIS:9210Introduction to Modeling with VBA3
CS:4400Database Systems3
CS:5110Introduction to Informatics3
ECON:4800Econometric Analysis3
ECON:5800Econometrics3
ISE:6760Pattern Recognition for Financial Data3
ISE:6780Financial Engineering and Optimization3
STAT:4100Mathematical Statistics I3
STAT:4101Mathematical Statistics II3
Additional elective credit possible for courses in analytics, computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, statistics, or actuarial science (e.g., quantitative/technical) with advisor approval

M.S./J.D.

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, J.D. (College of Law) in the Catalog.

M.S./M.S. 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 M.S. 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 g.p.a. 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: December 15
  • International student deadline: March 15
  • Domestic student deadline: June 15

The M.S. 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. For full details, contact Graduate Management Programs in the Tippie College of Business.

Careers for M.S. graduates in finance include corporate treasury operations, cash management, mergers and acquisitions, investment banking, sales and security trading, security analysis, commercial banking and financial services, credit analysis, mortgage lending, financial planning, consulting, public administration, insurance roles, and real estate.

The Career Services team offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.

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, M.S.

Plan of Study Grid (Manual)
Academic Career
Any SemesterHours
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.
 Hours0
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.
 Hours0
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.
 Hours16
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.
 Hours16
Summer
Internship: complete a summer internship f
Research: complete a summer research project f
 Hours0
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.
 Hours13
 Total Hours45
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.