Zicklin’s Online MS in Finance prepares you for a successful career in a variety of roles in the finance industry, including financial analyst, portfolio manager, investment banking professional, institutional investment advisor, wealth management, investment broker/dealer, and more. In addition to investment banking firms, many of which have headquarters not far from Baruch, future opportunities can be found in business sectors such as commercial banking, insurance, government, and corporate treasury departments. This program includes the same renowned faculty and academically rigorous, real-world curriculum as our New York City-based MS in Finance program.
Gain hands-on experience using the latest analytical tools and programming languages on finance applications, including Python, R and AI.
Our fully online format accommodates your schedule and prepares you for a successful career in finance. You will have access to career support from Zicklin’s Graduate Career Management Center (GCMC), and other campus-based resources. No prior experience in finance is required to apply.
Zicklin is proud to be a leader in providing superior undergraduate, graduate, and executive business education for over one hundred years. Our programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
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.
Flexible Class Schedule
Courses are delivered fully asynchronously so that they are available to you at your convenience.
Value
Receive an affordable Master’s in Finance degree at a business school ranked as one of the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
World-Renowned Faculty
Learn from faculty who are world-recognized experts in finance and from professionals with deep real-world experience.
Admissions
- Now accepting applications for Fall 2025
- No prior experience in finance required.
- The admissions committee holistically evaluates all required application documents, including academic transcripts, resume, essays, and letters of recommendation.
- GMAT/GRE is optional.
Interested in STEM-designated programs? Please visit Zicklin’s in-person Graduate Programs page for more information.
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 Curriculum
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:
*Electives are subject to availability
| 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
Gain hands-on experience using the latest analytical tools and programming languages on finance applications, including Python, R and AI.