Financial Analytics, M.S.

(30 units)

The Master of Science in Financial Analytics (MSFA) is a STEM designated program designed to help students identify and analyze various financial management issues to make optimal strategic decisions in today’s global economy. With its focus and alignment to the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) curriculum, the program offers students an excellent opportunity to learn practical investment skills and a comparative advantage to ultimately earn the CFA charter, while attaining a reputable MSFA degree.

The M.S. Financial Analytics program is a 12-month, full-time, cohort model program. Classes are offered on weekday evenings at 7PM; Saturdays are possible depending on instructor availability. The program requires summer session enrollment. Students in this program take 4 classes in both the Fall and Spring semesters as well as 2 courses in the summer session.

Application and Admission Process

Application Procedure

International Applicants

Information Sessions

Current CSULB College of Business undergraduate students with a 3.0 GPA or higher are eligible to apply for the MS Financial Analytics program through our Fast Track Application process.

Program Requirements

The curriculum for the M.S. Financial Analytics program requires 30 units of coursework. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 (B) throughout the program.

All students must receive a passing score on the comprehensive exam.

Advancement to Candidacy

To be eligible to advancement to candidacy, a student must:

Complete all First Semester Core Requirements, with no grade lower than “C”.
Maintain an overall minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, including transferred coursework from other institutions, and a minimum 3.0 GPA in all work completed at this University.

Major Requirements (30 units)

FIN 600 - Seminar in Business Finance (3 units)
FIN 610 - Seminar in Financial Analysis and Reporting (3 units)
FIN 640 - Seminar in Quantitative Analysis (3 units)
FIN 650 - Seminar in Investments (3 units)
FIN 660 - Seminar in Financial Institutions and Ethics (3 units)
FIN 670 - Seminar in Equity Securities and Valuation (3 units)
FIN 680 - Seminar in Derivatives (3 units)
FIN 685 - Seminar in Fixed-Income Securities (3 units)
FIN 690 - Seminar in Economics and International Finance (3 units)
FIN 691 - Seminar in Integrated Financial Management (3 units)

Culminating Experience

The culminating experience of the MSFA program is a comprehensive exam offered after the student’s successful completion of the required 10 courses of 30 credit units. The comprehensive exam is designed to evaluate the student’s comprehensive knowledge of various subjects in finance. The comprehensive exam is given annually during the period after Summer Session. The comprehensive exam is graded on pass/fail criteria. This requirement operates independently of the student’s overall GPA. To be granted an MSFA degree, a student must have completed all the required courses with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and pass the comprehensive exam.