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Finance & Investment Management, M.S.

The first program of its kind in North Carolina.
  • $120k

    Average salary with this degree according to Glassdoor.com

  • 12

    Complete the program in as little as 12 months!

  • CFA Exam

    We offer student scholarships for the CFA Exam, the gold standard of investment management certifications.

With this degree, graduates can become a:

The Chief Investment Officer is a top-level executive responsible for overseeing an organization's investment strategy and managing its portfolio of assets. They make critical decisions to maximize returns while minimizing risks, often collaborating with portfolio managers and analysts to achieve the organization's financial goals.

A Portfolio Manager is tasked with managing investment portfolios on behalf of clients or organizations. They design and implement investment strategies, select specific assets, and make investment decisions to achieve optimal returns aligned with their clients' risk tolerance and financial objectives.

A Wealth Manager is a financial professional who provides comprehensive financial planning and investment management services to high-net-worth individuals or families. They work closely with clients to develop customized financial plans, offer investment advice, and coordinate various aspects of their financial affairs to grow and preserve wealth.

A Financial Advisor offers personalized financial guidance to individuals or businesses, helping them make informed decisions about investments, retirement planning, insurance, and other financial matters. They assess clients' financial situations, provide recommendations, and assist in creating financial strategies to achieve their goals.

A Security Analyst conducts in-depth research and analysis of financial securities, such as stocks and bonds, to assess their investment potential. They evaluate market trends, company performance, and economic data to provide recommendations to portfolio managers or investors.

A Portfolio Analyst supports portfolio managers by analyzing and monitoring investment portfolios. They track performance, conduct risk assessments, and generate reports to inform investment decisions, ensuring that portfolios align with clients' objectives and risk tolerances.
A Financial Planner assists individuals and families in creating comprehensive financial plans. They consider various aspects of personal finance, including budgeting, saving, investing, retirement planning, and tax strategies, to help clients achieve their long-term financial goals and navigate life's financial challenges.
A Risk Manager is a professional responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential risks within an organization. They analyze various aspects of the business, including financial, operational, and strategic, to anticipate and minimize potential threats. By implementing risk management strategies, they aim to protect the organization's assets, reputation, and financial stability, ensuring it can navigate uncertain environments effectively.
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Learn To

Reduce the amount of preparation necessary to sit for the CFA® exam

Acquire a working familiarity (industry ethics and guidelines) with CFA Institute's Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct and Asset Manager Code of Conduct and Research Objectivity Guidelines through case studies and real-world analysis

Learn multiple approaches to equity valuation

Understand alternative investment assets

Develop expertise in financial statement analysis and the tools used to evaluate a firm's financial health

Program Overview

What makes this program different?

CFA LogoThe STEM-designated, AACSB-accredited Master of Science in Finance & Investment Management (MSF) program is the first program of its kind in North Carolina. Designed to prepare you for senior positions in portfolio management, security analysis, investment banking, risk management, corporate finance, or private wealth management, this program is tailored to closely align with CFA Institute's Candidate Body of Knowledge (CFA® CBOK).

Why is the program special?

This accelerated program is offered both fully online as well as on campus to meet your individual needs. Our MSF program is designed specifically for the working professional, requires no residencies, and can be completed full-time in as few as 12 months. This degree's curriculum follows the CFA Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), increasing the likelihood of passing for those intending to sit for the Chartered Financial Analyst® exam.

The MSF program is recognized as part the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program. The Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) credential is recognized as the premier investment management credential and is the professional standard of choice for more than 200,000 investment firms worldwide. This recognition reflects that the MSF is high quality and covers at least 70% of the CFA Candidate Body of Knowledge. After completing the MSF, therefore, you will be well-prepared to successfully pass the CFA exam and earn the CFA professional credential. 

What else does the program entail?

You will build a working familiarity with the CFA® Institute's Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct and Asset Manager Code of Conduct and Research Objectivity Guidelines. Benefit from advanced tools that deepen your understanding of methods applied by investment professionals.

Two computers and a stock ticker board

Tentative Course Sequence:

Tentative Course Schedule
Fall I FIN 580 Quantitative Investment Analysis
Fall I

FIN 501

FIN 502

Ethics in the Financial Marketplace

Ethics in Decision Making
Fall II FIN 536 Corporate Finance
Fall II FIN 533 Derivatives & Risk Management
Spring I FIN 530 Equity Investments
Spring I FIN 532 Economics for the Finance Professional
Spring II FIN 534 Fixed Income Analysis
Spring II FIN 538 Financial Reporting & Analysis
Summer I FIN 540 Portfolio Management & Wealth Planning
Summer II FIN 531 Alternative Investments
See The full program description

Admission Deadlines & Requirements

Information: M.S. Finance and Investment Management - Accelerated Program

Apply Now

  • Complete applications are reviewed for admission by the program as they are received up through the document deadline.
  • All supplemental documents must be received by the document deadline in order to be considered. Please see the program website for details.

Coordinator

Location/Delivery Method

  • Distance Education - Fully Online - asynchronous (instructional materials made available on the Internet and available 24 hours a day every day-not time-dependent slots).

  • Main Campus (Face-to-face)

Deadlines (11:59 p.m. EST)

  • Spring 1 2025:
    • Deadline: December 7, 2024 or earlier if the cohort fills
  • Spring 2 2025:
    • Deadline: February 8, 2025  or earlier if the cohort fills
  • Summer 1 2025:
    • Deadline: April 12, 2025  or earlier if the cohort fills
  • Summer 2 2025:
    • Deadline: May 24, 2025  or earlier if the cohort fills

Transcripts

  • One official transcript is required from each U.S. post-secondary institution attended. Refer to the Getting Started page for international transcript instructions.

Test Scores

  • GRE or GMAT General Test
  • WAIVED - Test scores are waived for this program during 2025 due to the pandemic.
  • No additional action required. Test scores will be waived during application processing.

Recommendations

  • 2 online recommendations including one from an employer or supervisor who can comment on the applicant’s potential for successful completion of a master’s degree

Additional Requirements

  1. Upload Supplemental Documents After Submission
  2. Cover letter & resume
  3. Bachelor's Degree: Applicants without a bachelor’s degree in business: admission into the program will be provisional upon successful completion of a basic core of business coursework. The basic core of business coursework may be completed at any regionally accredited institution. The basic core of business coursework includes three credit hours each of Statistics or Quantitative Methods, Microeconomics, Financial Accounting, and Corporate Finance. These courses may be waived with significant, relevant work experience in finance.
  4. Differential Tuition: Differential tuition applies to this program.
    Tuition & Fees
  5. Visa Sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is available for full-time face-to-face programs. 

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Are You an International Student?

This is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security STEM designated program that allows eligible F1 international students to apply for a 24-month optional practical training extension.

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