University to Offer Master of Science in Finance
The University of Scranton will begin to offer a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) in an online format beginning in January 2018 and on campus beginning in the fall semester. Applications for the program are currently being accepted. The University’s Kania School of Management is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). Less than 5 percent of educational institutions worldwide that offer business degrees have achieved this distinction.The University of Scranton will begin to offer a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) online January 2018 and on campus beginning in the fall semester of 2018, with applications for the program currently being accepted.
Housed in the University’s AACSB-accredited Kania School of Management, the program is designed for individuals interested in careers in financial or investment management and can help prepare students for professional certifications, including the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program. The rigorous curriculum and flexible format are ideal for working professionals who wish to join the field or gain a competitive edge.
The growing global economy and the intricacies of today’s financial products are driving a need for financial professionals with the specialized knowledge to successfully manage complex portfolios. Employers are also seeking candidates who are able to introduce and implement an ethical organizational culture. Overall, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for financial analysts is expected to grow 11 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations, and the median annual wage for financial analysts as of 2016 was $81,760, with the top 10 percent earning more than $165,100. Professionals with ethics-focused training may also be in greater demand with clients who are concerned about honesty and responsibility from their financial services suppliers.
The frequency and scale of financial scandals in recent years have eroded the image of the finance industry and trust in financial professionals. To help the industry fulfill a vision of integrity and in line with the University’s Jesuit values, the MSF focuses on responsible and ethical strategies for financial and investment management. Graduates learn critical skills and knowledge in the field, including financial securities, risk metrics, hedging strategies, and investment criteria within a Jesuit framework of social responsibility, emphasizing concern for the well-being of both clients and the greater global society.
The program also incorporates the CFA Institute’s six areas of focus to promote a trustworthy industry working to support a better future: putting investors first, safeguarding the system, financial knowledge, regulation and enforcement, retirement security, and transparency and fairness.
The program requires 30 credits and may be completed in 12 months when taken on a full-time basis.
For online students, coursework is complemented by an optional three-day, on-campus residency involving an interactive experience in the state-of-the-art Alperin Financial Center. At the center, students engage in simulations on a trading floor that features an electronic ticker displaying data feeds directly from Wall Street, monitors displaying up-to-the-minute financial news, 12 Bloomberg terminals, and computing hardware and software that support complex evaluations of equities and currencies.
To apply or learn more about the on-campus MSF, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 570-941-4416 or email gradadmissions@scranton.edu. To apply or learn more about the online MSF, go to elearning.scranton.edu or call 866-373-9547.
