Master of Science in Finance (MSF)
NECB's online Master of Science in Finance (MSF) degree is designed to provide a comprehensive, contemporary perspective on financial theory and practice for today's marketplace. At the online Master's in finance program's core is an in-depth examination of the financial industry, including an overview of (1) regulatory issues, (2) industry challenges, and (3) updated industry changes. Each course educates students about special finance topics, and offers the opportunity to investigate specific fields of interest. Master in Finance students will engage in innovative thinking and research in industry-relevant arenas, preparing themselves for advancement or entry into the business marketplace of their choice.
Master's in Finance Benefits
NECB's Master's online program advantages include:
- Progressive program directed by experienced business professionals and academic experts
- 100-percent online curriculum delivery that's applicable to a range of industries, including banking, government, recreation management, consulting and pharmaceutical sales
Impacting Your Future
NECB's Master of Science in Finance gives students the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge thinking and research on a range of industry-relevant topics. After obtaining their online degree in finance, graduates should be able to:
- Conduct company, market and technology research
- Research and understand international, federal, state & local regulatory requirements
- Prepare and analyze comprehensive financial reports
- Explain and manage the financial processes related to acquisitions and mergers
- Evaluate and test models related to investments and capital expenditures
- Understand and implement all aspects of risk management
- Explain various aspects of the securities market and the players
Career Options
A host of employment opportunities are available to holders of an MSF degree. Sample career titles include:
- Financial Analyst
- Investment Advisor
- Financial Planner
- Director of Finance
- Chief Financial Officer
- Treasury Officer
- Bank Examiner
- Portfolio Manager
- Stock Trader
- Bond Trader
The course curriculum along with the knowledge and skills acquired while obtaining the MSF degree offers excellent preparation for an individual to pursue the following professional designations:
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Degree Planning
Course Descriptions
The course curriculum fosters critical thinking, research, and the development of analytical skills in demand within the financial services industry:
MBA502 Quantitative Methods
Purpose: This is the first or second course which MBA and MSF students take in the graduate program. It provides an applied approach to the use of quantitative models in managerial decision analysis. The course focuses on data collection, testing, analysis, and presentation of research findings. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to utilize statistical data in decision making, apply regression analysis techniques, demonstrate the ability to perform hypothesis testing, and build statistical models using Excel spreadsheets. A mid-level working knowledge of Microsoft Excel is necessary to successfully complete the course.
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MSF501 Financial Markets and Institutions
Purpose: Financial Markets and Institutions explores the features and functions of the key financial markets along with the institutions that serve the markets. Specifically, this overview compares and contrasts the equities, debt, money, and mutual fund markets. It analyzes the individual markets, as well as the interaction among them. The course also focuses on the Federal Reserve System: its integration with the investment market industry and how it affects economic conditions.
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MSF505 Managerial Finance
Purpose: This is the first or second course which MSF students take, and one of the 12 core courses that MBA students take, as part of their respective graduate programs. This course deals with managing business funds and planning their use to accomplish organizational objectives. The primary objective of this course is to introduce the fundamental skills required to manage the financial aspects of a business as well as create and maintain organizational value. The main topics include: time value of money; financial statement analysis; valuation concepts; Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC); capital budgeting techniques; uncertainty & trade-off between risk and return; and the Security Market Line (SML). A basic working knowledge of a financial calculator and/or Microsoft Excel is necessary to successfully complete the course.
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MSF510 Investment Management
Purpose: To provide an in-depth analysis of the securities industry. It describes and compares the different types and features of advanced securities such as mortgaged backed, asset backed, and derivatives. The course introduces a securities market model describing the various participants such as banks, brokers, insurance companies, mutual fund companies, and investment advisors. Within this model, business and system requirements for investment management and trading, custody and securities processing, and securities accounting are described in detail. It also presents future industry challenges.
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MSF535 Financial Economics
Purpose: This course covers the role and functions of money, credit, and financial markets in the modern economy. It develops an understanding of how banks and financial markets operate in conjunction with the supply and demand of money. The role of U.S. central banking and the effects of interest and foreign exchange rates on the real economy are explored in detail.
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MSF540 International Finance
Purpose: The course introduces the student to global financial markets and operations of multinational firms. Topics to be discussed will include foreign exchange markets, international financial markets, international banking, international trade tariff and quotas, Euromarkets, and investment decisions in the global marketplace.
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MSF545 Financial Modeling
Purpose: In this course, students will develop and build comprehensive financial models relative to various corporate finance and investment scenarios. Excel and VBA macros will be used to build models for financial forecasting, Time Value of Money, Amortization, Financial Planning and investment pricing. A mid-level working knowledge of Microsoft Excel is needed to successfully complete the course. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is also helpful.
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MSF550 Financial Derivatives
Purpose: The course is designed to foster an understanding of derivatives—primarily forwards, futures options, swaps, collateralized debt obligations and credit default swaps. This is achieved through an introduction of the basic techniques of pricing and trading. The course also focuses on the usage of these instruments for speculation and risk management.
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MSF555 Investment Theory and Analysis
Purpose: The purpose of this course is to understand and evaluate financial investment theory and the analysis which takes place leading to financial asset decisions. The focus is on evaluating and defining theories that apply to portfolio analysis, explaining models of equilibrium in capital markets, applying security analysis and evaluating the investment process. The overall objective of the course is to introduce students to the theory and analysis required to explain investment prices determined in financial markets worldwide.
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MSF600 Finance Capstone
Purpose: The Financial Capstone is the final course in the MSF Program. The purpose of the course is for the student to demonstrate a broad mastery of the knowledge and skills gained throughout the program. Through a combination of theoretical and applied financial concepts and techniques, the expected outcome of the course is the production of a high quality investment analyst report on par with those seen in the financial press. This final project should demonstrate the student’s expertise in the field of finance.
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To request more information about NECB's online Master of Science in Finance, degree or to inquire about admission status, financial aid opportunities and degree specifics, call 1-800-997-1673 today!
Gainful Employment Program Disclosure (.pdf)
