Master of Science in Finance and Analytics

The Master of Science in Finance and Analytics (MSFA) is designed to produce graduates who have the skills to:

  • Interpret and analyze financial information with cutting-edge tools, and develop financial models to assist decision-making
  • Understand ethical standards in business and recognize and evaluate issues of ethics and integrity facing finance
  • Develop and strengthen skills in leadership and collaboration

The MSFA program empowers students with analytical skills and practical experience essential for careers in corporate finance, banking, consulting, and government. It fosters the development of comprehensive knowledge crucial for success in management or executive positions within the financial sector or any organization's finance leadership role. Through finance elective courses, students can tailor their studies toward corporate finance, investment management, or capital markets, delving into the intricacies of finance and honing analytical tools to build a robust foundation of financial expertise.

Program requirements encompass courses that may feature students from the MBA and other M.S. programs, led by faculty members identical to those in the MBA program and operating under the same AACSB accreditation. The online program mirrors the on-campus version in learning objectives and content, ensuring uniformity across both platforms.

Admissions

For admission information, refer to Chapter 2.

Program Outline

The MSFA curriculum consists of 36 units across six core courses (20 units), one experiential learning course (4 units), and 12 additional units of electives.  

For additional academic information policies,  refer to Chapter 5.

For additional information on online programs, refer to the Online Programs Section in

Chapter 6.

 For course descriptions and prerequisites for core and electives, refer to Chapter 8.

Curriculum Clusters

1. Core Corporate Finance Knowledge (3 courses)

These courses provide students with essential skills and knowledge in financial analysis, econometrics, and investment management, equipping them with the quantitative tools and analytical capabilities needed to succeed in the finance industry.

  • Financial Forecasting & Analysis (4 units)
  • Investments (4 units)
  • Econometrics (2 units)

2. Core Business Analytics Knowledge (3 courses)

These courses provide students with a strong foundation in quantitative analysis, statistical modeling, and programming skills essential for conducting financial analysis in today's data-driven environment. Mastering these skills enables students to effectively analyze financial data, assess investment risks, and make informed decisions to achieve financial objectives.

  • Math for Business and Analytics w/ R (4 units)
  • Database Management Systems w/ Fundamentals of SQL (2 units)
  • Data Analytics w/ Python (4 units)

3. Experiential Learning (choose one of the following projects) 

MSFA students have two options to fulfill the program's experiential learning requirement: Practicum or Capstone, both of which carry a total of four units. Practicums span two quarters, while Capstone projects are completed within one quarter. Both options necessitate the use of real data and the application of classroom knowledge to real-world challenges. Moreover, they provide a valuable opportunity for direct engagement with leading companies and potential employers. Noteworthy organizations, such as Google, Amazon, Adobe, VMware, Cisco, Intuit, Credit Suisse, Oracle, Nuveen, Franklin Templeton Investments, and others, serve as practicum partners for the program. For further details, refer to Chapter 5.

  • Practicum I (2 units)
  • Practicum II (2 units)
  • Capstone (4 units)

4. Electives (12 units)

Offers a variety of electives to help students develop capabilities in a specific area. Students must complete 12 units total of the following courses.

  • Introduction to Time Series Forecasting (2 units)
  • Analytics for Finance (Panel Data) (2 units - offered online only)
  • Intro to FinTech: Innovations and Disruptions to Traditional Finance (2 units)
  • Alternative Investments: Partnerships and Venture Capital (2 units)
  • Intro to Fixed Income (2 units - offered in-person only)
  • International Financial Management (4 units - offered in-person only)
  • Financial Markets & Institutions (2 units)
  • Mergers, Acquisitions, and Corporate Restructuring (4 units)
  • Applied Portfolio Management (2 units - offered in-person only)
  • Applied Portfolio Management II  (2 units - offered in-person only)
  • Real Estate Finance (4 units - offered in-person only)
  • Emerging Company Finance (2 units - offered in-person only)
  • Emerging Company Fiance II (2 units - offered in-person only)
  • Business Valuation (4 units)
  • Financial Engineering (4 units)
  • Behavioral Corporate Finance (2 units - offered in-person only)
  • Mathematical Finance (4 units - offered in-person only)
  • Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing (2 units - offered in-person only)
  • Machine Learning with Finance (4 units)
  • Marketing Analytics (4 units)
  • Database Management Systems - Design, Development & Administration (2 units)
  • Big Data Modeling and Analytics (4 units)
  • Dashboards (2 units)
  • Data Visualization (4 units)

International students are required to register for an internship course if they wish to engage in Curricular Practical Training (CPT). For further details and prerequisites, refer to Chapter 5.

  • Internship (1 unit)
  • Internship II (1 unit)
  • Internship III (1 unit)

Career Requirement

To promote career growth and professional advancement, all online graduate programs require that students engage with the SCU Graduate Business Career Management team. This includes participation in designated workshops, career coaching sessions, resume reviews, and completing various career reflections. While enrolled at SCU, students have the flexibility to fulfill these requirements at their convenience. However, they must complete their career requirements by the final quarter to be eligible for graduation.

Requirements:

  • Meet with a Career Coach within their second quarter
  • Attend the Career workshop during their Opening Residency
  • Attend a live in-person Career workshop or event  hosted by the Graduate Business Career Management team or submit a reflection paper after watching a Career Management workshop recording

GBP Anywhere Program

The GBP Anywhere Program enables MBA and MS students to enroll in on-campus or online electives from various Graduate Business Programs. This program aims to enhance flexibility and course options for Online and Evening students.

International students are eligible to enroll in one online course per quarter provided they are registered for a minimum of 8 units of classes. However, this allowance does not apply during the first quarter of attendance or to any core classes required by the program. It's important to understand that international students cannot be exclusively enrolled in online courses during their graduating term; they must also be enrolled in at least one on-campus course. Nonetheless, during the Summer quarter, they are permitted to take only an online course. For any updates, questions, or concerns regarding online courses and potential visa implications, please reach out to ISS (International Student Scholars).

Furthermore, MSFA students are granted the opportunity to enroll in one graduate-level course outside of their program, subject to meeting prerequisites, availability of space, and approval from the Faculty Director of the Program. These courses must be at the graduate level and chosen exclusively from within the Leavey School of Business. This option is available only once during the student's academic program, and enrollment is contingent upon availability.

For additional information, refer to the GBP Anywhere Programs Section in Chapter 6.