Zicklin’s Master of Science in Finance equips you with the advanced knowledge and analytical tools needed to successfully navigate today’s financial markets. The MS in Finance teaches you the foundations of managerial finance, financial theory, and investments, and broadens your expertise in areas such as corporate finance, international markets, and mergers and acquisitions. With an expansive list of elective courses to choose from, you can customize your study based on your career objectives and interests.
The BBA and Master of Science Programs in Finance and in Financial Risk Management at the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College are part of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program.
This status is granted to institutions whose degree programs incorporate at least 70 percent of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), which provide students with a solid grounding in the CBOK and positions them well to sit for the CFA exams.
The CFA Institute aims to lead the investment profession globally by promoting the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society. Its Chartered Financial Analyst designation is among the most prestigious in the finance world.
Program Highlights:
- 30 – 39 credits
- Shortest completion time (students with no preliminary requirements): 2 semesters + summer session (Fintech concentration may require 3 semesters)
- Flexible scheduling allows you to switch between part-time and full-time course loads
- With the appropriate course selection, this degree can prepare you for the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) or Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification exams.
- Note: MS in Finance is not a prep program for the above certification exams. While certain courses in the program cover the main knowledge areas covered by these certification exams, they also cover other topics not required for these exams while not covering certain topics that are required for these exams.
Designed with your academic and career goals in mind
This program is ideal for professionals interested in upgrading their technical training and knowledge in finance, or an individual with strong quantitative skills seeking a career change. With the appropriate electives, this degree can prepare you for the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) or Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification exams. The program can also serve as a stepping stone for you if you are interested in pursuing a PhD in Finance or a related field.
Career Outcomes
Companies that employ Zicklin graduates
Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon), China Construction Bank, HSBC, Institutional Investor LLC, Intone Networks Inc., Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA), Lanchid LLC, Moody’s, Morgan Stanley, Neuberger Berman, NYC Department of Consumer Affairs, OCBC Bank, S&P Global Ratings, Sweetwood Capital
Positions
Traded Risk Analyst, Associate, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Budget Analyst, Data Science Consultant, Financial Analyst, Portfolio Manager, Research Assistant, Senior Analyst, Senior Investment Manager, Senior Vice President, Structured Credit Analyst, Supervisor of Financial Planning and Analytics, Vice President
Visa Extension for STEM International Students
The MS in Finance conforms to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) program that qualifies eligible international graduates on student visas for an optional practical training extension of 24-months. Find out more here.
Preliminary Courses and Waivers
Based on your academic background, you may be required to take preliminary courses from the following list. These courses are not part of the 30-credit MS Finance general or fintech curriculum requirements. Please note that the Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) charter is not sufficient to waive preliminary requirements.
| Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
| ECO 9730 |
Firms in the Global Economy, or equivalent |
1.5 |
| ECO 9740 |
Fundamentals of Macroeconomics, or equivalent |
1.5 |
| FIN 9762 |
Introduction to Quantitative Tools for Finance, or equivalent |
3 |
| FIN 9770 |
Corporate Finance, or equivalent |
3 |
Typical Waiver Criteria for Preliminary Courses
| Course # |
Undergraduate equivalent |
Graduate Equivalent |
Min Grade |
Time limit |
Accreditation of the School |
| ECO 9730 |
1.5 cr. micro or 3 cr. micro + macro |
1.5 cr. micro or 3 cr. micro + macro |
B- |
5 years |
Regional |
| ECO 9740 |
1.5 cr. macro or 3 cr. micro + macro |
1.5 cr. macro or 3 cr. micro + macro |
B- |
5 years |
Regional |
| FIN 9762 |
6 cr. statistics or econometrics |
3 cr. statistics or econometrics |
B |
3 years |
Regional |
| FIN 9770 |
6 cr. financial management, corporate finance, or investments |
3 cr. financial management or corporate finance |
B |
3 years |
Regional |
Note: Waiver criteria are current for students entering in Spring 2019 and after and are subject to change.
MS in Finance General
The MS Finance curriculum is effective for students entering in Spring 2021. Students who entered prior to Spring 2021 should review the Graduate Bulletin or contact a program advisor to confirm their degree requirements.
Total credits will range from 30 (no preliminary courses required) to 39 (all preliminary courses required).
Required Courses
Total Required Courses: 10.5 credits
| Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
| BUS 9551 |
Business Communication I |
1.5 |
| ECO 9723 |
Econometrics: Theory and Applications I |
3 |
| FIN 9781 |
Intermediate Corporate Finance |
3 |
| FIN 9783 |
Investment Analysis |
3 |
Elective Courses
Total Electives Required: 19.5 credits
Finance Electives: Choose 13.5-19.5 credits from the list below:
| Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
| ECO 9713 |
Money, Banking, and Monetary Policy |
3 |
| ECO 9724 |
Econometrics: Theory and Applications II |
3 |
| FIN 9759 |
Mergers and Acquisitions |
3 |
| FIN 9774 |
Venture Capital and Entrepreneurial Finance |
3 |
| FIN 9782 |
Futures and Forward Markets |
3 |
| FIN 9784 |
Management of Financial Institutions |
3 |
| FIN 9786 |
International Financial Markets |
3 |
| FIN 9788 |
International Corporate Finance |
3 |
| FIN 9789 |
Equity Markets: Trading and Structure |
3 |
| FIN 9790 |
Seminar in Finance |
3 |
| FIN 9792 |
Advanced Corporate Finance |
3 |
| FIN 9793 |
Advanced Investment Analysis |
3 |
| FIN 9795 |
Debt Instruments and Markets |
3 |
| FIN 9797 |
Options Markets |
3 |
| FIN 9852 |
Measurement and Management of Market Risk I |
1.5 |
| FIN 9853 |
Measurement and Management of Market Risk II |
1.5 |
| FIN 9854 |
Measurement and Management of Credit Risk I |
1.5 |
| FIN 9855 |
Measurement and Management of Credit Risk II |
1.5 |
| FIN 9856 |
Measurement and Management of Risks in Operations and Information Technology |
1.5 |
| FIN 9857 |
Measurement and Management of Risks in Investments |
1.5 |
| FIN 9858 |
Implications of Corporate Governance, Regulation, and Ethics for Risk Management |
1.5 |
| FIN 9880 |
International Financial Markets |
1.5 |
| FIN 9881 |
Debt Securities |
1.5 |
| FIN 9882 |
Futures and Forwards |
1.5 |
| FIN 9883 |
Options |
1.5 |
| FIN 9884 |
Venture Capital |
1.5 |
| FIN 9891 |
Special Topics in Investments |
1.5 |
| FIN 9892 |
Special Topics in Investments |
2 |
| FIN 9893 |
Special Topics in Investments |
3 |
| FIN 9895 |
Special Topics in Corporate Finance |
1.5 |
| FIN 9897 |
Special Topics in Corporate Finance |
3 |
| FIN 9985 |
Risk Management in Financial Institutions |
3 |
Business Electives*: Choose 0-6 credits from the list below:
| Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
| ACC 9110 |
Financial Accounting |
3 |
| ACC 9810 |
Current Topics in Financial Accounting |
3 |
| ACC 9993 |
Special Topics in Accountancy |
3 |
| CIS 9555 |
Principles of FinTech |
3 |
| RES 9776 |
Real Estate Finance |
3 |
| RES 9850 |
Real Estate Capital Markets |
3 |
| BUS 9801 – 9803 |
Graduate Internship I, II, III (in Finance) |
1-3 |
| |
|
|
| *Business electives and transferred credits for specialization electives can be at most 6. |
Note: Course offerings vary from semester to semester.
Examples of Special Topics and Seminar in Finance courses offered in recent years:
- Behavioral Finance
- ESG Investing and Analysis
- Investment Management Vehicles
- Economy and Financial Markets
- Machine Learning in Investment
- Factor-Based Approaches to Allocation Across Public and Alternative Assets
- Economics of Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies
- The Global Economy
- Municipal Securities
- Venture Capital
- Valuation of the Firm
- Managing a Financial Business
- Financial Services Product Development
- Equity Analysis
MS in Finance Concentration in FinTech
The MS Finance FinTech Concentration is effective for students entering in Fall 2023. Students who entered prior to Fall 2023 should speak with an advisor if interested in this concentration.
Total credits will range from 30 (no preliminary courses required) to 39 (all preliminary courses required).
Required Courses
Total Required Courses: 10.5 credits
| Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
| BUS 9551 |
Business Communication I |
1.5 |
| ECO 9723 |
Econometrics: Theory and Applications I |
3 |
| FIN 9781 |
Intermediate Corporate Finance |
3 |
| FIN 9783 |
Investment Analysis |
3 |
Required Courses for Fintech Concentration
Total Required Courses: 12 credits
| Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
| CIS 9555 |
Principles of Fintech |
3 |
| CIS 9551 OR CIS 9556 |
Blockchain Technologies and Applications or Risk Management and Information Systems |
3 |
| LAW 9250 |
Financial Regulation of Emerging Technology |
3 |
| LAW 9720 OR LAW 9708 |
Information Privacy Law and Policy or Law and Technology: Protecting Innovation, Managing Exposures, and Achieving Compliance |
3 |
Elective Courses for FinTech Concentration
Total Electives Required: 7.5 credits
Finance Electives: Choose 7.5 credits from the list of CIS, LAW, and ECO/FIN courses below. Students may take up to 3 credits of internship toward their electives.
| Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
| CIS 9551 |
Blockchain Technologies and Applications |
3 |
| CIS 9556 |
Risk Management and Information Security |
3 |
| CIS 9650 |
Programming for Analytics |
3 |
| CIS 9760 |
Big Data Technologies |
3 |
| FIN 9784 |
Management of Financial Institutions |
3 |
| FIN 9795 |
Debt Instruments and Markets |
3 |
| FIN 9797 |
Options Markets |
3 |
| FIN 9852 |
Measurement and Management of Market Risk I |
1.5 |
| FIN 9853 |
Measurement and Management of Market Risk II |
1.5 |
| FIN 9854 |
Measurement and Management of Credit Risk I |
1.5 |
| FIN 9855 |
Measurement and Management of Credit Risk II |
1.5 |
| FIN 9856 |
Measurement and Management of Risks in Operations and Information Technology |
1.5 |
| FIN 9857 |
Measurement and Management of Risks in Investments |
1.5 |
| FIN 9891 |
Special Topics in Investments |
1.5 |
| FIN 9893 |
Special Topics in Investments |
3 |
| LAW 9104 |
Securities Law/Business Crime |
3 |
| LAW 9111 |
United States Banking Law |
3 |
| LAW 9708 |
Law and Technology: Protecting Innovation, Managing Exposures, and Achieving Compliance |
3 |
| LAW 9720 |
Information Privacy Law and Policy |
3 |
| BUS 9801 – 9803 or BUS 9811 – 9813 |
Graduate Internship I, II, III (in Finance) |
1-3 |
Note: Course offerings vary from semester to semester.
Examples of Special Topics courses offered in recent years:
- Behavioral Finance
- ESG Investing and Analysis
- Investment Management Vehicles
- Economy and Financial Markets
- Machine Learning in Investment
- Factor-Based Approaches to Allocation Across Public and Alternative Assets
- Economics of Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies
- The Global Economy
- Municipal Securities
Online MS in Finance
This program includes the same renowned faculty and academically rigorous, real-world curriculum as our New York City-based MS in Finance program.
Learn more
Office of Graduate Admissions
Visitors: 151 E. 25th St. Room 820 (between Lexington and 3rd Avenues)
Mail: One Bernard Baruch Way, Box H-820, New York, NY 10010
Phone: (646) 312-1300
Fax: (646) 312-1301
Website: Graduate Admissions
Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon), China Construction Bank, HSBC, Institutional Investor LLC, Intone Networks Inc., Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA), Lanchid LLC, Moody’s, Morgan Stanley, Neuberger Berman, NYC Department of Consumer Affairs, OCBC Bank, S&P Global Ratings, Sweetwood Capital
Traded Risk Analyst, Associate, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Budget Analyst, Data Science Consultant, Financial Analyst, Portfolio Manager, Research Assistant, Senior Analyst, Senior Investment Manager, Senior Vice President, Structured Credit Analyst, Supervisor of Financial Planning and Analytics, Vice President