Master of Science in Finance

  • Overview

    A Cox School MSF goes beyond the financial basics. Through this unique curriculum, you'll gain an edge in the marketplace by developing knowledge and skills in four areas of competency:

    • Alternative assets (a specialized course in hedge funds is also available).
    • Energy finance (you can add courses in energy risk management and energy project management).
    • Real-time markets and trading.
    • Investment portfolios.

    Along with rigorous classroom learning that includes MBA-level courses, you'll also gain real-world skills through hands-on experiences. And if you're planning to sit for the CFA Level 1, our CFA review course will prepare you.

  • Curriculum

    The Cox MSF is designed to provide students with a broad and intensive education in the finance field. Its focus is to provide specialized skills that enhance finance based employment prospects. Graduates will be positioned well with the knowledge and skills required by employers for entry-level financial analyst positions.

    To distinguish the Cox MSF from other programs offered by top graduate business schools, we have built the program around four areas of unique competency: 

    • Alternative Assets
    • Energy Finance
    • Real-time Markets and Trading
    • Investment Portfolios

    Additionally, SMU Cox offers a specialized course in hedge funds, which is aligned with our Alternative Assets Management Center, and specialized courses in energy risk management and energy project management, which connects with our Maguire Energy Institute. SMU Cox also utilizes the Kitt Trading Center in several courses including a course on markets and trading. The Kitt Trading Center is built around on-line and real-time trading and financial information processing. Finally, we connect some of our class applications to the management of the Cox and Underwood student-managed investment portfolios, which are real-time investment portfolios managed by Cox students.

    The 32-hour SMU Cox MSF Program is taken on a full-time basis over four modules (two semesters) or a part-time basis over eight modules (four semesters). All SMU Cox graduate classes are offered in eight-week modules (half-semesters) with each class receiving two credit-hours. Each semester has two modules, Module A and Module B. The ideal applicant to our program will be familiar with the basic introductory subjects covered in finance, accounting, economics and statistics at the undergraduate level, but we also host a Summer Boot Camp that provides familiarity in these subjects before starting in the Fall. Ambitious students may also be able to make up deficiencies while in the program.

    MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FINANCE CURRICULUM
    Curriculum (As of Fall 2023 entry)
    Total Credit Hours: 32

    Term 1 – Fall Credit Hours (16 credits)

    Fall Module A Courses
    FINA 6205 Finance Theory and Practice
    FINA 6216 Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing
    MAST 6201 Managerial Statistics
    MNGT 6004 Managing Your Career (0 credit) 
    Optional Core* – ACCT 6201 or ACCT 6210 *See below for FINA 6430

    Fall Module B Courses 
    FINA 6211 Valuation and Analysis
    FINA 6219 Derivatives
    FINA 6238 Financial Modeling
    Optional Core* – ACCT 6202 or ACCT 6212 *See below for FINA 6430

    Term 2 – Spring Credit Hours (16 credits)

    Spring Module A Courses
    FINA 6218 Fixed Income Securities
    FINA 6226 Quantitative Trading Strategies

    Elective* Choose two from the following:
    ACCT 6201 Financial Accounting I
    ACCT 6205 Managerial Accounting I
    ACCT 6211 Financial Statement Analysis
    FINA 6228 Topics in Energy Finance

    Spring Module B Courses
    FINA 6212 Corporate Financial Policies
    FINA 6214 International Finance
    FINA 6222 Financial Markets and Monetary Policy

    Elective* Choose two from the following:
    ACCT 6202 Financial Accounting II
    ACCT 6224 Taxes and Business Strategy
    BUSE 6208 Special Topics in Energy Economics
    ACCT 6211 Financial Statement Analysis

    *FINA 6430 Asset and Wealth Management Practicum is offered by application. It is a full semester (both modules A and B) and would take the place of 2 elective courses.

    Credit Hours Summary for M.S.F. Program
    ·         20 credit hours of required finance courses
    ·         6 credit hours of electives depending on number of finance courses
    ·         32 credit hours total for Cox M.S.F. degree


  • Online Summer Boot Camp

    Maybe you have a passion for finance, but need to shore up your skills before taking on the rigors of the MSF. The SMU Cox online summer Boot Camp IS designed to prepare you. By the time school starts, you'll you’ll have a working knowledge of compound interest, discounted cash flow and financial statements. The Cox MSF Boot Camp includes: 

    •  Online Self-Study Guide. Authored by Cox faculty, this self-paced workbook offers a solid primer on basic financial concepts.
    • MyFinanceLab Homework Exercises. Cox faculty monitor your progress as you complete at-home assignments. The goal: Hit the ground running in your first on-campus finance class.

  • Beyond the Classroom

  • Highlight: The Kitt Investment and Trading Center

    Kitt Investing Trading Center

    Get hands-on experience with industry-standard data feeds and financial software, along with an LED stock ticker, three video walls, 24 high-end work stations and 10 Bloomberg Professional terminals in this state-of-the art simulated trading room. You'll have a chance to get this unique hands-on experience as part of several MS courses.

    Learn what you can do at the Kitt Center