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Note:  The last term for admission into this program is Autumn 2024. 

Business program

The Master of Science in Finance program provides students with the real-world skills necessary to succeed as finance professionals. Students develop a deep understanding of modern financial markets along with the instruments and tools used in the industry. In addition to acquiring a conceptual foundation, students learn to develop strategic financial objectives, improve investment decisions, design financial instruments, manage corporate risk and seize new business opportunities.

Program Features

Through the MS in Finance program, students will develop skills in:

  • Financial decision-making techniques and strategies.
  • Creating and developing solutions to complex financial problems.
  • Designing, using and evaluating financial tools and instruments.
  • Developing proposals for profitability and productivity.
  • Outlining and identifying strategic financial objectives.
  • Risk analysis.

The MS in Finance program is offered at DePaul’s Loop Campus, in the heart of Chicago’s financial district, allowing students to learn in the setting in which they will be working. Students will be encouraged to complete an internship and participate in extracurricular activities and seminars around Chicago.

Program Requirements Quarter Hours
Introductory Requirements (waived with applicable prior credit): Candidates are expected to demonstrate competency in principles of financial accounting, economics, and statistics prior to enrollment in the program. Students who have not demonstrated these competencies through previous coursework are required to achieve these competencies prior to registration for the core classes.
Degree Requirements 48
Total hours required 48

Learning Outcomes

  • Acquire both knowledge and skills that are broad, deep, and necessary to fulfill their professional goals.
  • Use analytical and decision-making skills to solve problems encountered by business and investors.
  • Apply financial theory to solve a variety of problems in investment management, risk management, and in corporate finance.
  • Produce a coherent written statement of the analysis of a complex business issue.
  • Understand and solve problems encountered by a multinational business.
  • Develop the foundation to think about and address ethical issues in the context of financial markets and institutions.

Degree Requirements

Course Requirements​

The MS in Finance program requires a minimum of 48 credit hours subject to the prerequisite requirement.

Prerequisites for the MSF Program​

Students complete the Master of Science in Finance by taking six core courses and six elective courses in addition to the program prerequisites.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate competency in principles of financial accounting, economics, and statistics prior to enrollment in the program. Students who have not demonstrated these competencies through previous coursework are required to achieve these competencies prior to registration for the core courses.

Core Courses

Course Title Quarter Hours
FIN 555FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT4
FIN 617TOOLS OF FINANCIAL ANALYTICS4
FIN 523INVESTMENT ANALYSIS4
FIN 524FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS4
FIN 553ADVANCED CORPORATE FINANCE4
FIN 662DERIVATIVES VALUATION4

Elective Requirement

Six elective courses are required. At least three of these required electives must be Finance courses.  The other three required elective courses are considered free electives and may be satisfied in one of the following ways: 

  • another finance course
  • a graduate course in Accounting, Computer Science (CDM), Data Science (CDM), Data Analytics (Management), Economics, Mathematics, or Real Estate (other disciplines or courses may be considered but require the permission of the faculty program director). The following classes are recommended:
    Course Title Quarter Hours
    Courses in Accounting
    INTRODUCTION TO FRAUD EXAMINATION
    ADVANCED IT AUDITING
    FORENSIC AND INVESTIGATIVE ACCOUNTING
    FORENSIC FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS AND VALUATION
    Courses in Computational Methods
    INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING
    PYTHON PROGRAMMING
    MONTE CARLO ALGORITHMS
    Courses in Data Science
    TIME SERIES ANALYSIS AND FORECASTING
    FUNDAMENTALS OF DATA SCIENCE
    DATA VISUALIZATION
    Courses in Economics
    GAME THEORY AND STRATEGY
    BUSINESS STRATEGY
    STRATEGY AND ANTITRUST
    BUSINESS MODELS AND INNOVATION STRATEGY
    THE BUSINESS OF HEALTH
    Courses in Real Estate
    REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT AND FINANCE
    REAL ESTATE CAPITAL MARKETS AND FINANCE
    ADVANCED REAL ESTATE ANALYSIS WITH ARGUS
    INSTITUTIONAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT

​​Degree Requirements

  • Satisfactory completion of the college residency requirement.
  • Satisfactory completion of the 6 required courses and 6 elective courses.
  • All courses for credit toward the degree must be completed within six calendar years after the candidate’s first term of enrollment in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. After a lapse of six years, a course is expired. An expired course is not acceptable for the purpose of satisfaction of degree requirements and is not applicable to the degree without the written approval of the director of the program and the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. ​