Finance, MS

Master’s in Finance Curriculum

Finance students gain the knowledge that can help them identify and measure financial risk, develop strategies to mitigate it, and assess a company’s financial strategy and decisions.

While focusing on maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, the MS in Finance program covers all domains of Finance required for the CFA Level 1 exam.

Master’s in Finance Courses

Quantitative finance
Python for Finance
Fintech
Portfolio Management
Corporate Valuation
Investments

Derivatives
Data Analysis for Decision Making
International Finance Markets
Intermediate Managerial Finance
Business and Society

Hands-On Finance Experience

A hallmark of our program is the Student Managed Investment Fund. The SMIF is a live portfolio actively managed by our students. The mission of the SMIF at the University of Dallas is to enhance students' academic pursuits in the study of finance by offering exposure and participation in investment research/analysis and portfolio management/strategies. Learn More.

CFA Institute Recognized

The University of Dallas M.S. Finance Program is affiliated with the CFA Institute and prepares students to take the CFA Level 1 exam and seek to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation. This designation is achieved by passing a series of three rigorous exams adhering to code of ethics and standards of practice observed by the CFA Institute. The University of Dallas' M.S. Finance program is one of 300 universities worldwide recognized as a CFA Institute® University Affiliation Program.

Graduate students earning their finance master’s degree listen to a lecture.

What Kind of Commitment Am I Making?

The M.S. in Finance is a 36-hour program comprising ten classes that cover a range of finance topics. Almost all classes are on the Irving campus or in a hybrid format (partly online, partly on campus). This allows a wide range of face-to-face collaborative opportunities with other students and professors. For the typical working professional taking two classes per semester, the M.S. in finance program can be completed in about 1-2 years.

The finance program is one of the STEM-designated degree programs that qualify international graduates for an optional practical training (OPT) extension of 24 months, for a total of 36 months.

Download our guide to learn about UDallas' commitment to forming virtuous leaders for the future of finance.

Josh Patton, M.S. Finance '19

“The class sizes and work ethic of professors facilitated a great learning environment in which questions and concepts could be easily addressed to provide deeper levels of understanding. There was a true exchange of expertise and ideas, and it made for a very fulfilling educational experience.”

Where Will a Finance Career Take Me?

Students who complete this degree often pursue careers in areas such as financial analysis, investment banking, financial advising and operations analysis.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of financial operations occupations is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033, adding about 963,500 new jobs each year. Globalization and a growing economy are expected to continue to lead to strong demand for financial occupations.

The median annual wage for financial occupations was $80,920 in May 2024, and with increasing demand for the occupation, the median wage is expected to rise further.