The Penn State Great Valley Master of Finance program requires 30 credits:

  • 18 credits of core courses
  • 9 credits of elective courses
  • 3 credits of a capstone course (Research in Security Valuation)

Courses are offered in an accelerated seven-week format, with classes meeting weekday evenings. Students may pursue the degree on either a full-time or part-time basis. Students who wish to enroll full-time may be able to complete the degree within one year. Part-time students can enroll as their schedules permit.

As a preprogram requirement, Master of Finance program applicants must have satisfactory knowledge of business statistics, financial management/corporate finance, and microeconomics. If you are unable to demonstrate the requisite level of skill required in these areas, you will be required to complete preparatory courses prior to the start of the first course in the Master of Finance program.

For the ease of prospective students, the program faculty have developed courses in these prerequisite areas in order to address key competencies and help students gain these skills for the Master of Finance program. These self-paced, non-credit courses are available entirely online:

  • Quantitative Methods
  • Financial Management
  • Microeconomics

Students admitted fall 2009 or after must successfully complete the SARI (Scholarship and Research Integrity) requirement of the Penn State degree in order to graduate.

Detailed course information can be found on the Schedule of Courses or contact managementhelp@psu.edu.

Download: Finance Plan of Study

PRE-PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS*
(Preparatory courses to be taken if required for admission)
Course Current Offering Future Offering
BUSAD 801 Statistical Analysis for Managerial Decision Making * *
BUSAD 523 Prices and Markets * *
FIN 531 Financial Management * *

CORE COURSES (18 credits)
Course Current Offering Future Offering
BUSAD 525 Quantitative Methods in Finance SP I online (WC)**  
ACCTG 512 Financial Accounting Theory and Reporting Problems SP I online (WC)** SU I online (WC)**
BUSAD 826 Current Issues in Corporate Finance (Advanced Corporate Finance)
(formerly BUSAD 526)		 SP II online (WC)**  
FIN 805 Multinational Managerial Finance
(formerly FIN 505)		 SP I SU I online (WC)**
FIN 808 Analysis of Financial Markets
(formerly BUSAD 508)		 SP II online (WC)**  
FIN 813 Speculative Markets
(formerly FIN 513)		 SP I  

ELECTIVE COURSES: Choose 3 (9 credits)
Course Current Offering Future Offering
ACCT 545 Strategic Cost Management SP II  
BADM 834 Portfolio Management
(formerly FIN 506 Portfolio Theory)		 SP I online (WC)** SU I online (WC)**
BUSAD 824 Finance and Investment for Sustainable Growth SP II  
BUSAD 827 Fixed Income Securities
(formerly BUSAD 527)		 SP II  
BUSAD 828 Mergers and Acquisitions
(formerly BUSAD 528)		 SP II online (WC)** SU II
FIN 532 Financial Decision Processes: Real options and Capital Budgeting Under Uncertainty    
MBADM 820 Financial Management
(replaces FIN 531)		   SU I


CAPSTONE COURSE (3 credits)
Course Current Offering Future Offering
BUSAD 885 Research in Security Valuation
(formerly BUSAD 585)		 SP II SU I online (WC)**

SARI REQUIREMENTS
Requirement Current Offering Future Offering
Completion of SARI requirements Fall and Spring Only Fall and Spring Only

*Consult with Management Division
**Consult with Management Division about World Campus courses
GV = Classes held at our Great Valley Campus
WC = Classes held online through World Campus