The master of science degree in finance is a specialized, technical program that provides in-depth exposure to the principles and practices of corporate finance and investment management. It is a primary objective of this program to ensure that, by the time you graduate, you will have acquired the specialized skills and knowledge that you will need to add immediate value to your organization in your role as financial manager or investment adviser. This degree is intended for students who have made a professional commitment to this key business discipline and who are interested in equipping themselves with the most comprehensive array of analytical tools and techniques. The MS in finance does not attempt to provide the broad overview of business that is typical of an MBA; instead, it focuses with great intensity on the specific areas of compelling interest to financial managers, security analysts, corporate bankers, and portfolio managers.
The four-course foundation of the MS finance emphasizes practical skills essential for success in this field. It’s a challenging beginning to your course of study (though it may be possible to waive some or all of these courses on the basis of equivalent undergraduate work), but it prepares you for the sophisticated analysis that this degree and this professional discipline demand.
The 15-unit core of the MS finance degree emphasizes five critical fields of knowledge that are required of all financial professionals. Three courses in corporate finance, investments and capital markets represent the conceptual foundations of the discipline, the “three legs of the stool.” Two courses in financial analysis and financial modeling build on and strengthen your background in accounting and computer applications, equipping you with the tools you’ll need to pursue the more advanced and specialized studies in your concentration.
The 18-unit concentration allows you to choose a general concentration in order to maximize the flexibility of your program or a more targeted concentration in corporate finance or investment management.
Requirements for the Master of Science in Finance The MS finance requires completion of 12 units in the foundation program and 33 units of advanced program coursework, with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 or better in courses taken at Golden Gate University. Courses carry three semester units of credit unless otherwise noted. All course prerequisites must be satisfied prior to enrolling in a given course; prerequisites are indicated in the chapter on course descriptions in this catalog or at www.ggu.edu/info. Individual foundation program courses may be waived if the student has previously completed comparable courses at a regionally accredited college or university. Students may be admitted to advanced program courses before completion of the entire foundation program, but must complete the foundation program by the time that 12 units have been earned in the advanced program.
Computer Proficiency Requirement
Applicants are expected to demonstrate a working familiarity and skill with computers and software applications appropriate for graduate studies. This includes knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet analysis, visual presentation software and network access capabilities. Faculty may require additional preparation for those students who have not achieved the needed proficiency.
Math Proficiency Requirement
Students admitted to this program are expected to possess a level of mathematical skill at least equivalent to College Algebra (MATH 30). Students may meet this requirement by satisfying one of the screening criteria listed under the heading “Proficiency in Mathematics, English and Computer Skills Required for Certain Master’s Degrees” on p. 114.
Foundation Program — 12 units
ACCTG 201 Accounting for Managers
ECON 202 Economics for Managers
FI 203 Financial Analysis for Managers
MATH 240 Data Analysis for Managers
Advanced Program — 33 Units
Core Courses — 15 units
ECON 380 Financial Markets and Institutions
FI 300 Corporate Finance
FI 305 Financial Statement Analysis
FI 307 Financial Modeling
FI 340 Investments
Concentration — 18 units
Students choose one of the following areas of concentration for 18 units:
General Finance Concentration — 18 units The general concentration permits you to choose from among the full array of finance and economics course offerings. Students whose career objectives inspire them to a broad sampling of the various specializations of the field, as well as those who are not yet ready to declare a specific career focus, will find the flexibility of this concentration very attractive.
Electives — 18 units
Take six courses ( 18 units) of 300- or 400-level FI/ECON prefix courses.
We recommend that students who may be interested in careers in corporate finance select their electives from among the following courses:
ECON 340 International Trade and Finance
FI 308 Management Control Systems
FI 312 Capital Budgeting and Long-term Financing FI 314 Working Capital Management
FI 317 Mergers and Acquisitions
FI 318 Venture Capital
FI 320 Financial Strategy and Value Creation
FI 343 International Corporate Finance
FI 346 Derivative Markets
FI 360 Behavioral Finance
FI 382 Management of Banks
and Financial Holding Companies
FI 428 Business Valuation
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