Dec 26, 2024  
USC Catalogue 2024-2025 
    
USC Catalogue 2024-2025

Finance (MS)


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs by School

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


Accelerated MS program for USC Marshall Full-Time MBA Students


Students enrolled in the Marshall Full-time MBA Program  may earn both MBA and the MS in Finance by successfully completing the requirements for the MBA plus 9 additional units to total 72 units. Coursework completed to earn both degrees must include the following:

  • The four “Required” FBE courses listed above.
  • At least 9 additional units of 500-level FBE course work not completed as a requirement.

     Note:

  • Students who pursue this option who meet the graduation requirements for the MBA program but do not meet the specified course requirements or total unit requirement for the Master of Science program will be awarded the MBA only. 
  • The MBA and MS degrees may be awarded concurrently; however, the MS degree will not be awarded until all requirements for the MBA have been completed.

 

Return to: USC Marshall School of Business

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs by School