MS-FIN academics
No matter what your career goals are, the innovative MS-FIN curriculum will prepare you to lead in the finance industry. Faculty bring cutting-edge research and real-world experience into each class session, providing you crucial industry insights.
Curriculum
The STEM-designated W. P. Carey Master of Science in Finance (MS-FIN) delivers a leading-edge curriculum that will help you stand out in a competitive global job market. You'll gain universal financial skills, tools, and knowledge applicable across industries and roles. This program prepares you to make a difference in organizations by effectively allocating resources and planning for the future.
Our flexible curriculum deepens your understanding of financial foundations. It explores concepts such as how global economies interact, financial risk management, and how the finance industry applies AI and machine learning. To complement your technical abilities, you'll develop analytical thinking and strategic decision-making skills, along with a valuable international perspective on finance that employers seek.
The MS-FIN program's emphasis on solving real-world financial challenges has been particularly impactful. Through hands-on projects, case studies, and access to industry-standard tools, I’ve gained valuable insights that bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Priyanka Modi, W. P. Carey MS-FIN graduate
Sample MS-FIN courses
Prepare for a range of career opportunities, including corporate finance, risk management, asset management, financial planning, investment banking, or consulting. Courses in the corporate finance and investments curriculum culminate in a capstone project, enabling you to build on concepts as you move through the program. Take a closer look at individual courses through ASU class search.
The first course empirically investigates properties of financial data such as basic probability theory, matrix algebra, ordinary least squares, and maximum likelihood estimation. Explores these methods both conceptually and AI assisted programmed implementation in PYTHON. Provides the basis for portfolio optimization by focusing on the estimation and testing of financial factor models.
The second course investigates financial data by using techniques such as autoregressive and vector-autoregressive models, dimension-reduction techniques motivated by latent factor models and machine learning dimension-reducing techniques. Continues to explore these methods conceptually and AI assisted implementation in PYTHON. Builds on the statistical and programming skills developed and emphasizes forecasting for the optimization of portfolios.
Provides an overview of the economics and institutions involved in entrepreneurial finance. Focuses on the financing of new ventures. Consists primarily of case analysis, supplemented with in-class exercises and lecture material.
Explores modern artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology, applications, techniques and their implications for finance.
Finance applied capstone project
Your finance master's degree program includes an applied capstone project, during which you'll apply what you've learned about different areas of finance to real-world situations. Gain hands-on experience in creating an investment portfolio and managing a diverse collection of investment vehicles.
Refine your presentation skills and stakeholder management abilities to prepare for your future career. You'll present your portfolio's performance to a board of investment professionals. These presentations refine your communication skills as you explain the reasoning behind your team's decisions and portfolio management strategy.
STEM designation
The W. P. Carey MS-FIN program has been designated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security as a STEM eligible degree program (CIP code 52.1301). The STEM designation may allow eligible graduates on student visas access to an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension, up to 36 months, as compared to 12 months for non-STEM degrees. As an international student, the longer work authorization term may help you gain additional real-world skills and experience in the U.S.
Analytical methods track
Strengthen your skills and knowledge in analytical methods by choosing an optional third-semester track in analytical methods. Adding two required courses and two required electives to the complete corporate finance and investments curriculum, the analytical methods track also includes a summer internship opportunity and an additional course credit of career preparation. It includes advanced coursework in Python, blockchain, and other critical areas that integrate finance and analytics.
Upon graduation, you’ll earn highly sought-after finance skills and the professional insights you’ll need to navigate full-time offers and maximize your investment in a master’s degree. A financial analyst career can open doors to a variety of job titles, including:
- Financial consultant
- Financial data analyst
- Financial intelligence analyst
- Financial risk analyst
Prepare for the CFA Level I exam
Accepted into the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program, the ASU MS-FIN degree from the W. P. Carey School of Business is aligned with CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge™ (CBOK). By completing the master's in finance, you'll be better prepared for the CFA Level I exam, the first step toward becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA).
Faculty
The Department of Finance within W. P. Carey is known for prolific research and practice in corporate finance, financial institutions, asset pricing, household finance, and real estate. Many faculty members have held leadership positions in major corporations. Our real-world expertise and strong industry relationships allow us to connect theory with current practices for our students.
In addition to offering the Master of Science in Finance, the Department of Finance supports undergraduate degrees in finance, financial technology, financial planning, and real estate, as well as a PhD in finance. The department offers concentrations and core and elective courses in the W. P. Carey MBA programs, the Master of Real Estate Development, and an accelerated master's program in finance.