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 [email protected].

Download: Finance Plan of Study

Summer 2020 Course Offerings

Prior to Starting Semester

Pre-Program Requirements* (Preparatory courses to be taken if required for admission)

  • BUSAD 501/801 - Business Statistics/Quantitative Methods
  • BUSAD 523 - Intermediate Microeconomics
  • FIN 531/MBADM 820 - Intermediate Financial Management

Summer I Courses

Core Courses

  • ACCTG 512 - Financial Accounting Theory and Reporting Problems (WC online**)
  • FIN 805 (formerly FIN 505) - Multinational Managerial Finance (WC online**)

Elective Courses

  • BADM 834 (formerly FIN 506 - Portfolio Theory and Policy) - Portfolio Management (WC online**)

Capstone Course

  • BUSAD 585 – Research in Security Valuation (WC online**)

Summer II Courses

Core Courses

  • BUSAD 828 (formerly BUSAD 528) – Mergers and Acquisitions (GV remote learning)

Fall 2020 Course Offerings

Prior to Starting Semester

Pre-Program Requirements* (Preparatory courses to be taken if required for admission)

  • BUSAD 501/801 - Business Statistics/Quantitative Methods
  • BUSAD 523 - Intermediate Microeconomics
  • FIN 531/MBADM 820 - Intermediate Financial Management

Fall I Courses

Core Courses

  • ACCTG 512 - Financial Accounting Theory and Reporting Problems (GV)
  • BUSAD 525 - Quantitative Methods in Finance (GV, WC online**)
  • BUSAD 826 (formerly BUSAD 526) - Current Issues in Corporate Finance (WC online**)
  • FIN 813 (formerly FIN 513)- Speculative Markets: Financial Derivatives/Risk Management (WC online**)

Elective Courses

  • BUSAD 824 – Finance and Investment for Sustainable Growth (GV)
  • BUSAD 828 (formerly BUSAD 528) – Mergers and Acquisitions (GV)

Fall II Courses

Core Courses

  • FIN 805 (formerly FIN 505) - Multinational Managerial Finance (GV, WC online**)
  • FIN 808 (formerly FIN 508) - Analysis of Financial Markets (GV, WC online**)

Elective Courses

  • BADM 834 (formerly FIN 506 - Portfolio Theory and Policy) - Portfolio Management (GV)
  • FIN 532 - Financial Decision Processes: Real Options (WC online**)

*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