The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
Manhattan Campus
Overview
The Master of Science degree in Finance is designed to provide students with expertise to make effective managerial and investment decisions. Compared to similar programs at other schools, the MSF program at St. John’s aims to be more practical in nature, focusing on the application of quantitative methods and techniques to enhance decision making. With six full-time faculty members who are CFA charter-holders, St. John’s is a great place to learn Applied Finance. The curriculum includes courses in Economics, Accounting, and Finance, and consists of 30 credits. It is designed to be completed in 18 months (three semesters).
Apply Request InfoSTEM Visa Extension for International Students
The Master of Science in Finance is a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) field of study. Students with an F-1 visa who complete this field of study may be eligible to receive a STEM-based optional practical training (OPT) extension. Contact the International Student and Scholar Services Offices at 718-990-6083 or [email protected] for additional information.
Tracks
Two tracks are available in the program, depending on your interests:
The Investment Management track is specifically designed for those who desire a career in asset management, such as advising or portfolio management. When taking this track, the MSF covers most of the body of knowledge that you will need to become a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and the track is a great fit for individuals who would like to pursue the coveted CFA charter. Since the program is affiliated with the CFA institute, students taking this track are eligible for awareness scholarships for the CFA. With six full-time faculty members who are charter holders, this track provides students with a hands-on, practical understanding on evaluating financial assets. In addition to the overlap with the CFA curriculum, the program provide rigorous academic and applied content beyond that required for the CFA.
The Financial Technology track also provides a sound theoretical foundation of financial knowledge but aims to also educate students on modern trends in the financial field. As technology is increasingly used in pricing assets (and risk) and conducting trades, this track provides students with an understanding into how technology can be used to enhance financial decision making and processes.
Focusing on aspects of economics, financial reporting, finance, securities, and derivatives relevant to modern investment analysis, it brings together theories, practices, strategies, and methodologies designed to reflect the current state of the field of investment management and analysis. The body of knowledge to be mastered includes:
Required Courses (21 credits)
ECO 604 Economics Foundations
ACC 600 Financial Statement Analysis I
FIN 607 Financial Management
FIN 634 Investment Analysis
FIN 684 Quantitative Asset Management
FIN 668 Financial Derivatives
FIN 664 Financial Statistics and Alternative Investments
Elective Courses (9 credits)
FIN 638 Fixed-Income Analysis
ACC 601 Financial Statement Analysis II
FIN 665 Portfolio Management and Analytics
FIN 639* Introduction to Financial Technology
FIN 669* Advanced Financial Technology
RMI 604 Risk Pricing Simulation
BUA 635 Big Data and Data Mining
*These courses are required for the Financial Technology Track
Admissions
Application Requirements
All applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or the international equivalent prior to enrollment at the graduate level. In addition to the application form and non-refundable application fee candidates should submit the following:
- Statement of professional goals and resume which can be uploaded as part of the application for admission
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate and professional schools attended. International Applicants to programs in Accounting and Taxation must have a Graduate Admissions evaluation completed by AEQUO.
- Official GMAT or GRE scores, taken within the last five years
- Two letters of recommendation, obtained from professional or academic references
- Official TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for applicants whose native language is not English
For additional information, please contact:
The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
Office of Graduate Admission
8000 Utopia Parkway
Suite 114
Queens, NY 11439
718-990-1345
[email protected]
Department Faculty
Please see a list of our Economics and Finance faculty.
Contact Us
For additional information on the Master of Science in Finance, please contact the faculty program director:
Mikael C. Bergbrant
Associate ProfessorDepartment of Economics and Finance
Tobin 354
[email protected]
718-990-3018