Kogod School of Business, American University
MS Finance
Washington, USA
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
USD 1,866 / per credit **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* January 15: priority scholarship consideration | March 15: international student deadline | April 15: priority course registration | July 1: all applications due at this time
** may be subject to change. Additional fees apply
Introduction
Get a feel for Wall Street. Gain hands-on experience with real-world projects
Our Master's of Science in Finance (MSF) program offers an innovative and intellectually sophisticated curriculum that prepares graduates for leadership positions in the financial sector.
Whether you're advancing your career, prepping for the CFA exam, or expanding your suite of finance skills, craft your own degree with courses in investment banking, financial intermediation in emerging markets, investment analysis, and more.
Our focused curriculum will prepare you for professional certifications such as Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), among others.
Innovative Learning, Hands-On Training
Small class sizes and experiential learning blend finance theory with applied practical skills and prepare students for big opportunities in a competitive market.
Manage $850K in assets through our student-managed investment fund program, which provides real-world know-how in securities analysis and portfolio management, or get virtual trading floor experience in our cutting-edge financial services and IT lab.
Currently, students oversee about $850,000 in the student-managed investment fund, including assets from a variety of positions, including analysts, fund managers, and portfolio managers. The program mimics the structure of an asset management team, similar to those at Fidelity or Vanguard. Student analysts pitch an investment idea each week, which is then submitted to an advisory board for final approval.
The FSIT lab demonstrates the Kogod School of Business' commitment to preparing students for careers in global finance and technology-related areas, assisting in advanced research, and establishing stronger ties with the corporate community.
Farid Sadeeh, MS Finance student, knew Kogod was for him when he met the program’s faculty. “The professors are great. It’s a smaller program, so the faculty knows you by name. They really care what happens to you when you graduate.”
Admissions
Curriculum
Course Requirements
Foundation (0 credit hours)
Note: FIN-060 may be waived without substitution for students who have completed at least 6 credit hours of finance coursework with a grade of B or higher.
- FIN-060 Introduction to Finance (0)
Core (12 credit hours)
- FIN-660 Financial Modeling (3)
- FIN-665 Quantitative Methods in Finance I (3)
- FIN-671 Advanced Financial Management (3)
- FIN-672 Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management (3)
Electives (21 credit hours)
Complete 21 credit hours from the following, with up to 6 credit hours from graduate-level accounting, economics, statistics or other courses approved by the program director:
- ACCT-677 Financial Statement Analysis (3)
/ FIN-677 Financial Statement Analysis (3) - FIN-573 Corporate Valuation and Financial Strategy (3)
- FIN-575 CFA Level I Intensive Review (3)
- FIN-576 Student-Managed Investment Fund (1-3) (maximum 3 credit hours)
- FIN-596 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6)
- FIN-650 Investment Banking: Valuation Tools and Techniques (3)
- FIN-666 Quantitative Methods in Finance II (3)
- FIN-674 Derivatives and Risk Management (3)
- FIN-681 Financial Intermediation in Emerging Markets (3)
- FIN-683 Financial Institutions Management (3)
- FIN-684 Fixed Income Analysis (3)
- FIN-685 Topics in Finance (1.5-3)
- FIN-700 International Finance (3)
- / IBUS-700 International Finance (3)
American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor's/master's programs. Advanced undergraduates admitted to a combined degree program that includes a master's degree from Kogod are eligible to take graduate-level courses and may apply up to 9 graduate credit hours earned as an undergraduate toward the requirements for both degrees.
STEM mode: Electives are focused on STEM: same time and number of credits
Scholarships and Funding
Financial Aid
An AU education is affordable.
80%of incoming students receive aid. | $100Min financial aid awarded to undergraduates per year. | 24dedicated financial aid staff members. All incoming freshmen are assigned an individual counselor. |
Need-Based AidAwards go to students with demonstrated financial need. AU determines your need based on the information you provide on the required financial aid applications. | Merit-Based Aid (Scholarships)All students who apply to AU are considered for most merit awards, including Deans' and Presidential, on the basis of their admissions application. | Student EmploymentIncome from work-study jobs is to be used exclusively for educational purposes. Award amounts vary; hourly wages are determined by the employer and job category. |
Applying for Financial Aid
Forms to Complete
- Apply to AU
- Complete the FAFSA
- Complete the CSS Profile
What you will need
- Financial Aid School Codes (FAFSA 001434 and CSS Profile 5007)
- Parent and Student Federal Student Aid Identification
- Parent and Student Social Security Numbers
- Federal Tax Forms to include W2s, 1099, etc.
- Non-Custodial Parent Contact Information
Career Opportunities
Capital Networking and Career Opportunities
In a city with a high demand for employees with top-notch finance skills, you'll progress quickly with our MSF degree.
AU's prime Washington, DC location and public transit options offer access to invaluable networking and internship opportunities across the corporate, not-for-profit, and government sectors of the financial business community.
Both full-time students and working professionals learn and network with alumni and faculty who operate at the nexus of financial market regulation and policy.
With a high success rate for full-time employment, the program positions you for the career you want. Whether you want to climb the corporate ladder, turn your leadership skills into a marketable asset or prepare for key exams, you'll be set up with all of the tools you need to compete and succeed.
Where are MSF graduates employed?
Employers of our MSF graduates include, but are not limited to:
- The World Bank
- Cambridge Associates
- Freddie Mac
- Merrill Lynch
- Navigant Consulting/Navigant Capital Advisors
- Stacklimited
- BlackRock
- Bloomberg LP
- Standard & Poor's
- 3M
- Deloitte Financial Advisory Services
- The Carlyle Group
The Kogod Office of Career Engagement
The Office of Career Engagement empowers students and alumni to build meaningful relationships and careers. We provide the guidance, skills, and networking opportunities to turn aspirations into meaningful outcomes.
Students receive one-on-one guidance on relationship building, transitioning to new business jobs, crafting their resumes, and utilizing social media in their job searches. We also partner with employers to connect them with students and alumni who align with their professional needs.
The Office of Career Engagement helps build the path from a passion for success, helping students, alumni, and employers make informed and intentional career decisions.
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Updates
The Kogod Office of Career Engagement will continue to support our students’ career development while maintaining their safety and well-being by moving our services online. To best provide access to our services and resources over the next few weeks, we will implement the following changes:
- All career advising appointments will be conducted virtually. Handshake appointment confirmations will contain a Zoom link for your meeting. If you have difficulty locating the Zoom link or scheduling an appointment, contact kogodcareers@american.edu for assistance.
- We are moving upcoming workshops online and will update the event details in Handshake accordingly.
- Our Employer Relations team continues to work with employers recruiting Kogod students. Handshake will be regularly updated with available job and internship opportunities, and we will continue to host information sessions, panels, and other recruiting-related events virtually.
We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work through this together. Please check Handshake frequently for updates on programming and opportunities. We encourage students to continue submitting applications and expanding and engaging their professional networks. If you need help adapting your career strategy or have any other questions or concerns, please email kogodcareers@american.edu or schedule an appointment on Handshake.