2011-2012 Archived Catalog Information

MSF

The Master of Science in Finance (MSF) Program delivers a sharp and in-depth focus on financial theory and practice, preparing students for successful careers in any financial discipline. Keeping pace with rapid changes in business and its practice is an ongoing challenge; to excel in finance a person must be able to act and react quickly and effectively to the changing business environment. As financial tasks have become increasingly complex, a traditional MBA degree may not be adequate for students seeking a career in the finance industry. The MSF Program provides students with the quantitative and analytical tools that will enable them to confront and manage the financial variables crucial to achieving success. The MSF Program is ideal for candidates seeking a career in the finance industry; candidates possessing an MBA degree who wish to fain further expertise in finance; and candidates working towards professional designations such as a CFA (Certified Financial Analyst) or CFP (Certified Financial Planner).

Waivers

Students with an MBA or holders of Bachelor Degrees in business may be eligible to waive some or all of the prerequisite MBA courses, allowing for completion of the program in as few as 15 months of part-time study.

Program of Study

The MSF Program is ideal for working professionals and is also designed to accommodate students seeking full-time study. Ideally students follow our cohort schedule, which runs on a four-quarter-a-year calendar, with students taking two classes per quarter. Following this schedule allows students to earn an MSF in 15 months. Courses are offered in the evening, making it possible to combine professional and educational goals. For convenience and planning, each entering cohort will take classes on the same night each week for the duration of the program. Classes run from 4:30 – 7:10 p.m. and 7:15 – 9:55p.m.  Each term two Saturday classes are scheduled in addition to the weeknight class, meeting from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 – 2:30 p.m.. Meals are provided for all MSF classes.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the requirements listed in the Sawyer Business School Graduate Programs section of this catalog, candidates are required to complete an interview with the Program Director as the final step of the admissions process. Local applicants will be contacted by the Program Office to schedule the interview once all necessary documents are filed with Graduate Admissions. 

MSF Curriculum

The MSF Curriculum consists of 30– 45 credits, depending upon waiver status.

Students may begin taking required MSF courses provided that they have successfully completed or waived the following:

Prerequisite MBA Core Courses (12 Credits)
May be waived based upon prior academic work.

MBA 622 Operations and Data Analysis 
MBA 630 Economic Analysis for Managers
MBA 640 Corporate Financial Reporting and Control
MBA 650 Value-Based Financial Management

Prerequisite MBA Elective (3 Credits)
Select one (1) course. May be waived based upon prior academic work.

MBA 610 Organizational Behavior
MBA 660 Marketing: The Challenge of Managing Value
MBA 670 Information Systems for Competitive Advantage
MBA 680 Managing in the Ethical and Legal Environment

MSF Required Courses (21 Credits)

MSF 800 Financial Statement Analysis
MSF 808 General Theory in Corporate Finance
MSF 810 Investment Analysis
MSF 812 Capital Budgeting
MSF 814 Options and Futures
MSF 818 Econometrics
MSF 820 Financial Policy

MSF Electives ( 9 Credits)
Select three (3) courses.

BLLS 860 Securities Regulations
MSF 816 Financial Institutions Management
MSF 825 Multinational Financial Management
MSF 831 Portfolio Management
MSF 841 Financial Forecasting
MSF 851 Working Capital Management
MSF 863 International Financial Markets and Banking
MSF 871 Advanced Banking Theory
MSF 880 Investment Banking
MSF 881 Real Estate Finance
MSF 882 Financial Engineering
MSF 884 Fixed Income Securities
MSF 885 Risk and Insurance
MSF 887 Fundamental Equity Analysis
MSF 891 Seminar in Finance
MSF 895 Master’s Thesis
MGIB 850 London Financial Markets Global Travel Seminar

Advising

Upon entering the MSF Program at Suffolk, students are assigned an academic advisor by the Finance Department.  Students are invited to discuss academic and career interests with their advisor. Advisors’ office hours are posted in the Finance Department, 9th floor of the Sawyer Building.