UC Irvine - Merage School of Business
Master of Finance
Irvine, USA
Master degree
DURATION
12 months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
02 Apr 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 79,264 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* *Final Deadline - Priority Deadline: January 15th
** tuition only - additional fees apply
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
The Master of Finance (MFin) program provides advanced technical and practical training for finance jobs in a digitally driven world. Closely tied to professional practices, MFin’s curriculum is well-suited to preparing students to sit for the CFA examinations and obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charter.
This one-year, full-time program thoroughly prepares you for entry and mid-level finance positions such as risk management, asset and wealth management, real estate management and forecasting. Some of the long-term career paths include chief financial officer, chief risk officer, and portfolio managers at banks, asset management companies and investment funds.
The MFin program is STEM-designated and eligible students have the option to apply for up to 36 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) upon graduation. This longer duration is especially attractive to companies interested in providing immigration sponsorship to international students. For more information about OPT and OPT STEM eligibility, please visit the International Center website.
The Master of Finance program is ideal for students with a bachelor's degree in finance or with a quantitative background.
The program thoroughly prepares you for entry and mid-level finance positions with a curriculum that focuses on technical mastery while also providing career and professional development.
The Master of Finance is a 12-month full-time program that begins each fall.
The program consists of 13 courses – six required core courses and seven electives – for a total of 52 units. You have the opportunity to personalize your degree in areas including corporate finance, investment management, wealth management, and real estate through electives from either Master of Finance or MBA offerings. The ProSeminar course, our unique approach to career management, helps you gain the skills necessary for sustained career success.
- STEM Designated for 36 Months
- CFA Certified CFA Charter Preparation
- F500 Capstone With Fortune 500 Companies
Focus on Career Development
One of the benefits of joining the MFin program is the individual focus on employment and career coaching. Our Career Services team works with you individually to prepare you for the recruitment and job interview process. We help you identify the best career opportunities to pursue to meet your career goals.
Some students enter the MFin program with focused career objectives, many others do not. Regardless of where you are in the process, we are ready to partner with you to help you achieve your personal career goals through three key pillars:
- Individual Career Advising
- ProSeminar
- Industry Events and Connections
In addition, the MFin program is designed to assist you in preparing for the CFA exam. The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation is the highest distinction in the investment management profession and provides a strong understanding of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills.
- 85% Placement Rate After 6 Months of Graduation
- $68K Starting Salary
- Irvine: Home to One-Third of All Fortune 500 Companies