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MS in Finance
Request InformationEarn your online master’s in finance and prepare to gain in-demand credentials to advance your career.
Transfer Credits
- Up to 15 Credits
Reach Your Goals With an Online Master’s in Finance
If you’re a finance professional seeking greater credibility and career advancement, Walden’s online MS in Finance program can help you achieve your goals. Build knowledge and confidence as you master tools you can use to make meaningful financial decisions. Shorten your path to industry certifications with embedded preparatory courses and exam simulations. Expand your job opportunities with a well-respected master’s degree that positions you as a finance expert.
An online master’s in finance provides specialized skills and insights to prepare students to grow their career as a financial planner, manager, or analyst.
Prepare for Certifications
Get a head start on your Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) Investments and Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) exam preparation.
Choose Your Path
Select from three industry-aligned specializations, including a self-designed option, to chart a clear course to your career goals.
Simulated Exams
Our program offers two capstones with simulated tests to help you prepare for the CFA®, CFP®, or FINRA exam.
Be Supported at Each Step
With proactive student support services and engaged faculty, you’re never alone in your program. We’re always here for you.
Program Savings
Speak with an Enrollment Specialist to learn about our current tuition savings.
Get Started NowFinance With Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)* Certification Emphasis
Gain hands-on practice as you prepare for certification as a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)* professional.
Finance With Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®)/Investment Emphasis
Gain hands-on practice as you prepare for professional certification as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®).
Finance for the Professional (Self-Designed)
Advance in your finance career and influence the future of your organization by tailoring your courses to your unique career goals.
Admission Requirements
Program Admission Considerations: A bachelor's degree or higher.
General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.
Build on Your Work Experience With an Online Master’s in Finance
Walden’s MS in Finance online program prepares you to succeed in advanced finance roles. With embedded preparatory courses for the CFA® and CFP® exams, you’ll gain the knowledge and tools you need to earn industry certifications and set yourself apart in the job market. Coursework in this online master’s in finance program covers essential knowledge areas, including finance and risk management, international finance, and portfolio management.
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Bob Castaneda
Program DirectorDr. Castaneda has worked in a number of countries in senior finance positions. He is currently a board member and treasurer for the Illinois Literacy Foundation and is also a member of Financial Executives International, AICPA, and the Illinois CPA Society.
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Ed Balli
Contributing FacultyDr. Balli has worked in finance and accounting for more than 30 years. He teaches finance, operations, and accounting and has experience in all levels of higher education. In his courses, Dr. Balli shares his practical, industry-wide experiences as they relate to key course concepts.
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Elias Demetriades
Contributing FacultyDr. Demetriades has worked in finance for more than 36 years, initially as a manager and, over the past two decades, as a consultant. A teacher of finance, quantitative studies, and strategy since 1992, his teaching has spanned all levels of higher education, from undergraduate to doctoral.
Learning Outcomes - MS in Finance
As a graduate of this MS in Finance program, you will be prepared to:
- Demonstrate analytical skills essential for the financial professional.
- Employ communication strategies that display an acute awareness of the needs of the intended audiences.
- Evaluate financial problems to provide reliable recommendations for decision making.
- Evaluate risk and return strategies in the context of an organization’s mission and objectives.
- Apply appropriate principles of valuation to major financial assets and securities.
- Demonstrate the ability to develop recommendations for investment and financial policies to maximize firm value.
- Employ financial knowledge to promote sustainable, socially aware organizations and ethical decision making.
Qualified financial managers are in demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for this occupation are expected to grow by 15% through 2029. The services financial managers provide—such as planning, directing, and coordinating investments—are projected to stay in demand as the American economy grows.1
An online master’s in finance degree can empower you to reach new heights in job confidence and potential career advancement. If your program includes embedded preparation for CFA or CFP certification, you’re at an even greater advantage. These professional credentials are sought after by employers and can help you stand out from the crowd throughout your career.
Approximately
59,600
openings for financial managers are projected for each year, on average, through 2029.1An MS in Finance can prepare you to pursue career options such as:2
- Accountant
- Financial analyst
- Financial manager
- Auditor
An MS in Finance can prepare you to work in settings such as:
- Public and private organizations
- Consulting
- Financial firms
- Government agencies
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
Resource Articles
Top 5 Careers With a Finance Degree
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MS in Finance Career Options
FAQ About Walden’s Online MS in Finance Program
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A master’s in finance is one of a new breed of specialized degrees that provides a popular alternative to earning a traditional Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. Long the gold standard of graduate business degrees, the MBA is facing serious competition from a growing group of master’s degrees that focus on key areas of business administration, such as finance, accounting, and human resource management. An MS in Finance program aligns with industry standards and demands to help you advance your career as a financial planner, manager, or analyst by providing a fully integrated set of high-level skills needed by most—if not all—businesses throughout the world. By contrast, a typical MBA curriculum is built off of a multifaceted business approach.
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MS in Finance degree-seekers have many options when it comes to choosing the program that is right for them. However, a few key factors should always be considered before deciding, including flexibility, diversity, and support. First, flexible scheduling can be key for working professionals, which is why online degree programs are such a popular choice. It’s also important for you to be able to connect with other professionals with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, which can greatly enhance your master’s experience. Lastly, be sure you choose a university with a strong support team that is invested in helping you succeed as you work toward your MS in Finance.
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There are a few key differences between Walden University’s MS in Finance and Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs. The master’s in finance program is ideal for students who wish to deepen their real-world knowledge of finance and gain higher-level financial skills. The MBA program is less specific to finance and offers students a broader understanding of the different facets of business administration and leadership. The other key difference is that the MS in Finance program’s capstone course in the CFA/Investment Emphasis specialization and the CFP® Certification Emphasis specialization can prepare students to sit for CFA® or CFP® certification exams, whereas the MBA program does not include this preparation in its coursework but does offer a corporate finance specialization.
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As U.S. and global economies continue to grow, so will career opportunities for professionals in the finance field. Walden University’s MS in Finance program can help you prepare for a wide variety of rewarding professional and management positions in corporate finance, investment banking, financial management, financial markets, securities firms, government, or as an independent financial consultant. Walden’s master’s program can also help prepare you for professional certification as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) or Certified Financial Planner (CFP®). Both certifications enjoy global recognition.
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
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CFAs work for large organizations. They can be part of an investment team at a bank, hedge fund, or other financial institution; work in the finance department of a corporation; or work at nonprofits such as universities, helping grow endowments. Some CFAs are tasked exclusively with choosing investments and executing trades. Others serve in an analyst role, working with leaders at their organization to set investment strategies. They focus almost exclusively on investments and the growth and/or management objectives of their organization.
CFPs work in private practice or in the divisions of financial institutions that are focused on helping individuals with financial planning. CFPs work directly with individuals to plan their financial future. While they can and do handle investments, they also advise individuals on other financial issues such as buying a home, saving for retirement, and setting up college funds for children. Their focus is primarily on the long-term financial security of their clients.
Questions about our MS in Finance?
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