30

Credits in program

16

Bloomberg terminal licenses that connect you to real-time investing

1

Year to complete program, or flex up to two

The growth and demand for highly trained, competent professionals in the dynamic field of finance is greater now than ever before. Our STEM-designated, Master of Finance program teaches how to apply quantitative methods to the complex discipline of finance with an emphasis on building job-ready skills.

This program is rigorous and practical featuring a comprehensive study of real-world corporate and investment risk measurement and management. You’ll become proficient in the theoretical principles, processes and practices of modern finance, and learn to apply them in real-world scenarios.

You’ll gain the ability to gather, assess and communicate financial data to guide business and investment decisions, and graduate prepared to sit for industry exams.

Finance student listens in class in finance lab

Positive Job Outlook

Professionals with a Master of Finance had the best job prospects by mid-career salary out of all master’s degrees in the U.S. in 2019, and are expecting significant job growth from now until 2026 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Payscale.com.

According to U.S. News and World Report’s Best Business Jobs list, job outcomes of this program including financial manager, financial analyst and financial advisor careers are among the top 15 best business jobs, with average annual starting salaries above $80,000 and a median salary of more than $125,000 by mid-career.

Graduates in finance from CSU’s College of Business reported high job placement rates.

Common career outcomes include positions in: commercial or investment banking, financial management, financial planning and advising, portfolio management, corporate finance and risk management, financial analysis and more.


STEM designation

The Master of Finance program meets the federal definition of a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) program as it emphasizes technical skills combined with options for scientific coursework.

Benefits for international students

International Master of Finance students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) that allows them to work for 12 months in the United States after completing the degree program. The STEM designation of the Master of Finance program makes students eligible for an additional 24-month OPT extension. With up to 36 months more time to work and network in the U.S., international students can build a valuable set of professional skills and contacts that can help them with their career endeavors. 

Finance technology lab

Hands-on experience with industry tools in our world-class finance lab is essential to your practical learning. In our finance lab, we introduce quantitative methods and resources in financial modeling and decision-making while demonstrating the latest tools. You’ll learn VBA, R and Stata and analyze real-time data using our 16 Bloomberg terminals.

Students in our Master of Finance program manage a $400,000+ stock portfolio using the tools and techniques learned throughout the program.  The fund is called “The Veterans Fund” because the returns earned are used to fund veterans’ scholarships. This is just one way we use real, experiential preparation to ensure that you graduate ready to take on the world of finance.

High pass rates on industry exams

The practical experience and AACSB-accredited curriculum also prepares you to take industry exams. Our students report high pass rates on the Chartered Finance Analyst CFA® exam and the Financial Risk Manager FRM® exam. Some students have used the Master of Finance as a stepping stone to an academic career by going on to Ph.D. programs after graduation.


Dual Degree in Finance & Business Sustainability: Master of Finance & Impact MBA

The dual degree of the Master of Finance and the top-ranked Impact MBA at CSU’s College of Business teaches sustainable business and corporate finance. You’ll also learn about the latest trends and reporting to prepare Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosures and how to innovate based on an organization’s triple bottom line goals of people, planet and profit. 

By earning both degrees in just two years on the CSU Fort Collins campus, you’ll save time and tuition by offsetting 15 total credit hours and benefit from a summer corporate fellowship to gain real world experience.

Learn more

Business graduate students enter Rockwell Hall

Connect with current students about the MFIN program

The student experience can make or break any business graduate program, so why not learn about it from current students? Unibuddy connects you with current finance students and alumni so you can ask them about the program, chat about their coursework and get a sense of what it’s like at the College of Business.

Connect with Unibuddy

LinkedIn Logo

Enrich your coursework with LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning is an online resource with more than 18,000 courses in business concepts, financial theory and investment strategies, valued between $240 to $360 annually. These resources are free for College of Business graduate students and you can connect your completed courses to your LinkedIn profile to expand your professional credentials.

decorative divider

Courses for the Real World

View Full Curriculum 
FIN 605 Enterprise Valuation

Corporate valuation methodologies including dividend discount model, relative valuation using market multiples, free cash flows and options analysis
 

FIN 630 Financial Modeling

Practical applications of financial modeling and computer programming to analyze financial data

FIN 655 Investments

Investment analysis and decision making emphasizing equity securities and portfolio management

FIN 665 Financial Engineering

Using futures, options, swaps, and securitized transactions in financial management

FIN 675 International Finance

Analysis of the foreign exchange market and international financial markets

FIN 610 Debt Securities Analysis

Valuation of corporate, government, and mortgage-backed debt securities and strategies for management of debt security portfolios

decorative divider

We Are Here to Help You

student looking at assistantships

Assistantships

There are various graduate assistantship opportunities. See what might be a fit for you.

advisor speaking with student

Advising

We’ll help you navigate classes and schedules, build your network, and always be around when you need a dose of motivation.

career counselor speaking with student

Career

We’re here to help support your professional goals, transitions, and dreams.