Mar 29, 2024  
USC Catalogue 2022-2023 
    
USC Catalogue 2022-2023 [ARCHIVED CATALOGUE]

Finance (MS)


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The Master of Science in Finance (MS) is designed to provide individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to become experts in finance and thus advance their careers. The program provides individuals with tools, ideas and frameworks that will aid them in applying finance principles to businesses.

The program lays the groundwork with core courses in accounting, economics, finance and statistics. The foundation is supplemented with courses on the role of finance in corporations, investment analysis and portfolio theory, and forecasting and risk. In addition, students personalize their degree with a choice of elective courses covering topics like real estate, mergers and acquisitions, and hedge funds.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must satisfy most, but not all of the general admission requirements for Marshall graduate programs. GMAT or GRE scores are required. Full-time work experience is not required for admission to the MS, Finance.

Admission decisions are based on consideration of the applicant’s previous academic record, resume, test scores (if provided), letter of recommendation and responses to several questions included in the application. Individuals who are admitted must have completed the equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree prior to the start of classes.

Application Procedure

Applications are submitted online through the USC Graduate Admissions website at gradadm.usc.edu/. International applicants are advised to see the instructions for international students published in the USC Graduate Admissions website (gradadm.usc.edu/apply/international-students/).

A complete application includes the online application form, an application fee, responses to several questions, test scores (if applicable), one letter of recommendation, and transcripts from all institutions attended since the applicant last applied to USC. (Current USC students and USC alumni are not required to submit an application fee or transcripts from institutions attended prior to USC. Applicants who have never applied for admission to USC must submit official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended.) For additional information, including application deadlines, visit marshall.usc.edu/MSF.

Degree Requirements


The Master of Science in Finance degree requires 36 units.

Students who have taken (at USC or elsewhere) one or more of the required “core” courses (at the graduate/post-baccalaureate level) may petition to waive out of the duplicate courses. It is expected that individuals holding accredited graduate degrees in related fields may be able to waive out of some or all four core courses, reducing the total number of units required to earn the degree to as few as 24. Waivers must be requested in an attachment to the application for admission and approved by the academic director prior to the start of the program.

A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for all course work applied to the degree and an overall graduate GPA at USC of at least 3.0 are required for graduation.

Required “Core” Courses


Total Units: 36



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