• Note: For certain locations, program enrollment is onsite with online instruction.

  • This program is offered online.

  • Master of Science in Finance

    Services provided by financial managers, such as planning, directing, and coordinating investments, will continue to be in demand as the economy grows.* Gaining advanced technical knowledge and skills in a range of financial areas could be a wise career move.† Our Master of Science in Finance curriculum offers two areas of specialization designed to help you develop professional expertise: financial analysis and financial planning. In both areas, you will have the opportunity to develop and implement your critical-thinking skills to solve complex financial problems. If you already have a bachelor's degree and wish to advance your existing career or begin an exciting, new profession, this program could prepare you with the knowledge and skills to help you succeed.† 

    Master of Science in Finance Program Highlights

    This comprehensive online master's degree program is designed to provide you with rigorous training—including assignments, reports, presentations, and group projects—to help you develop the savvy and proficiencies to find solutions to real-life financial situations. 

    Highlights of the online master's in finance program include:

    • Performing financial analysis using quantitative concepts and techniques
    • Interpreting financial statements that adhere to current standards 
    • Analyzing investment and financial risk 
    • Evaluating financial theory and practices
    • Applying legislation, regulations, or principles of practice to financial scenarios 

    What are the Career Opportunities?

    Earning your online master's degree in finance at Kaplan University may help you develop valuable skills that could be applied to a broad range of financial positions in virtually any field of endeavor. Pursue positions such as personal financial advisor, financial manager, financial analyst, and investment analyst.† 

    Master of Science in Finance Specializations

    In the Kaplan University Master of Science in Finance, areas of specialization are built into the program requirements to help you develop proficiencies that could apply to a future career.† 

    • Financial Analysis: Develop the skills relevant to portfolio management and investment analysis. Study how to assess decision-making approaches and techniques and apply them to financial situations. Prepare for the Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) certification exam.‡ 
    • Financial Planning: Develop financial plans, evaluating the appropriate principles, concepts, and frameworks for financial decision making. Prepare for the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) Certification Exam.‡§ 

  • Kaplan University offers multiple start dates, giving you greater flexibility with your education, life, and work schedules.

    Jun 12

    Online Start Date
    Jun 12, 2013

    Jul 31

    Online Start Date
    Jul 31, 2013

    Sep 11

    Online Start Date
    Sep 11, 2013

    View the Academic Calendar

  • Curriculum: All Tracks

    Core

    GB 512: BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS (4 Credits)

    Business Communications focuses on effective communication strategies for various stakeholders using oral and written formats for different purposes, including one-on-one communication and engagement with larger audiences.

    Total Core Credits: 36
    Total Program Credits: 52

    GF 500: FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND MARKETS (4 Credits)

    This course focuses on the workings of the U.S. and world financial markets and institutions. It spans interest rate determination, federal policy, and management and policies of commercial banks. 

    Prerequisites Required: GF 500

    Total Core Credits: 36
    Total Program Credits: 52

    GF 510: RISK ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT (4 Credits)

    This course focuses on the financial instruments used for financial risk management, including forwards, futures, options, and swaps. An emphasis is placed on the identification of financial risks and designing an optimal risk management program. 

    Total Core Credits: 36
    Total Program Credits: 52

    GF 520: CORPORATE FINANCE (4 Credits)

    This course is designed to provide a framework for understanding and analyzing the asset, liability, and capital structure of corporations. Students will examine valuation and capital budgeting techniques and risk evaluation, and build a strong understanding of how and why corporations make specific financial decisions.

    Prerequisites Required: GF 510

    Total Core Credits: 36
    Total Program Credits: 52

    GF 530: FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS (4 Credits)

    In this course, students will analyze and utilize financial statements and valuation models to assess the value of a firm. The identification of reliable estimates of fundamental corporate earning power and earning risks and valuation is a focus of the course. 

    Prerequisites Required: GF 520

    Total Core Credits: 36
    Total Program Credits: 52

    GF 540: INVESTMENT AND SECURITIES ANALYSIS (4 Credits)

    In this course, students will examine the principles, theories, and methods of investing. Topics include common stocks, options, mutual funds, fixed convertibles, and warrants. 

    Prerequisites Required: GF 530

    Total Core Credits: 36
    Total Program Credits: 52

    GF 550: RETIREMENT PLANNING AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (4 Credits)

    This course explores retirement planning and employee benefits. Students will evaluate the provisions and rules associated with various plans and governmental regulations pertaining to benefits. Topics include retirement needs analysis, compensation plans, and other employee benefits. 

    Prerequisites Required: GF 540

    Total Core Credits: 36
    Total Program Credits: 52

    GF 560: FIXED-INCOME AND FUTURES INVESTING (4 Credits)

    This course explores the structure, uses, and strategies associated with financial futures markets. Valuation, hedging, speculative activity, and other futures-related risk management issues are covered. The varieties of fixed-income securities and their default risk are also examined, in addition to the valuation of fixed-income securities and their use in investment and risk management. 

    Prerequisites Required: GF 540

    Total Core Credits: 36
    Total Program Credits: 52

    GF 570: PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT (4 Credits)

    This course blends portfolio theory with practical issues that students will encounter in their careers as financial professionals. Topics include identifying investor objectives and constraints, recognizing risk and return characteristics of investment vehicles, developing strategic asset allocations among equity, fixed-income, and risk-free assets, and utilizing derivative securities to manage portfolio risk and maximize portfolio returns. Also covered is the evaluation of portfolio and manager performance relative to investment objectives and appropriate benchmarks. 

    Prerequisites Required: GF 540

    Total Core Credits: 36
    Total Program Credits: 52

    Electives

    SPECIALIZATION COURSES (16 Credits)

    Total Electives Credits: 16
    Total Program Credits: 52

    Financial Analysis Specialization

    GB 540: ECONOMICS FOR GLOBAL DECISION MAKERS (4 Credits)

    This course covers micro- and macroeconomic principles with an emphasis on decision making and strategic applications. Microeconomic topics include scarcity, supply and demand, elasticity, utility, profit maximization, cost structures, economic systems, labor markets, and entrepreneurship. Macroeconomic topics include international trade, national income accounting, exchange rates, money and banking, economic growth, and fiscal policy.

    Total Financial Analysis Specialization Credits: 16
    Total Program Credits: 52

    GF 580: ETHICS FOR FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS (4 Credits)

    This course introduces the ethical standards and practices applicable to the finance industry. Students will investigate ethical problems encountered in financial environments and evaluate the effects various decisions have on stakeholders. 

    Prerequisites Required: Completion of all core courses.

    Total Financial Analysis Specialization Credits: 16
    Total Program Credits: 52

    GF 581: FINANCIAL STRATEGIES FOR A GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT (4 Credits)

    This course focuses on the financial strategies used in a global environment. The relationship between international accounting and global business and investment strategies are discussed. Topics include recent developments in financial strategy, international trade, and economic decision making. 

    Prerequisites Required: Completion of all core courses.

    Total Financial Analysis Specialization Credits: 16
    Total Program Credits: 52

    GF 582: STATISTICAL METHODS FOR DECISION MAKING (4 Credits)

    This course covers the theory and application of statistics for decision making when solving financial business problems. Topics include regression analysis and optimization modeling. Students will perform statistical analyses to offer solutions to financial-related problems and issues. 

    Prerequisites Required: Completion of all core courses.

    Total Financial Analysis Specialization Credits: 16
    Total Program Credits: 52

    Financial Planning Specialization

    GF 590: PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING (4 Credits)

    This course provides an in-depth overview of personal financial planning. Students will learn how to prepare personal financial statements. Topics include time value of money, cash flow and debt management, education planning, risk management, retirement planning, financial planning ethics, and an overview of practice management concepts. 

    Prerequisites Required: Completion of all core courses.

    Total Financial Planning Specialization Credits: 16
    Total Program Credits: 52

    GF 591: INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE PLANNING (4 Credits)

    This course introduces students to risk management and insurance decisions in personal financial planning. Topics include insurance for life, health, disability, property, and liability risks, as well as annuities, group insurance, and long-term care. 

    Prerequisites Required: Completion of all core courses.

    Total Financial Planning Specialization Credits: 16
    Total Program Credits: 52

    GF 592: INCOME TAX PLANNING AND STRATEGIES (4 Credits)

    This course covers income tax planning and strategies used to formulate financial decisions. Students will explore the impact of taxes on family financial decisions. Topics include tax strategies and economic and management principles.

    Prerequisites Required: Completion of all core courses.

    Total Financial Planning Specialization Credits: 16
    Total Program Credits: 52

    GF 593: ESTATE PLANNING (4 Credits)

    This course focuses on estate planning and the efficient conservation and transfer of wealth, consistent with the client’s goals. Students will examine the legal, tax, financial, and nonfinan¬cial aspects of estate planning. Topics include trusts, wills, probate, advanced directives, charitable giving, wealth transfers, and related taxes. 

    Prerequisites Required: Must be taken in final term or have approval of the Dean

    Total Financial Planning Specialization Credits: 16
    Total Program Credits: 52

    Tuition & Fees: All Tracks

    The 25% tuition reduction applies only to international students living outside of the United States. This discount does not apply to military students. Please check with your advisor to see if you are eligible. 

    All Tracks Online &
    Learning Center     		Campus
    Cost Per Credit
    Number of Credits / Terms  
    Total Tuition Cost

    Tuition and Fees

    Some programs have additional associated fees that are not included in the price of tuition. Click here or check with an Admissions Advisor for more information. 

    Learn More about Kaplan University Tuition and Fees  

    Notice to Learning Center Students

    Kaplan University Learning Center students will only complete a portion of this program on site. You will need to complete at least 50% of the program requirements online, or through transfer credit awarded via prior learning assessment. If you have any questions about these requirements, please speak with an admissions advisor.

    Scholarships and Grants

    Learn more about grants and Kaplan University Scholarships and that may help reduce the cost of your education.

    Kaplan University tuition reductions (including active-duty, spouse, and veterans military tuition rates; scholarships; grants; vouchers; and alumni and alliance reductions) cannot be combined. 

    Tuition Rates for Military Students and Spouses

    Kaplan University has significantly reduced many of our tuition rates and fees for active-duty servicemembers, their spouses, and veterans. Click here for more information.
     

  • * Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-2013 Edition, Financial Managers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Management/Financial-managers.htm. (Accessed April, 2012)

    † Kaplan University cannot guarantee employment or career advancement.

    ‡ Although certain programs at Kaplan University are designed to prepare students to take various certification or licensing exams, the University cannot guarantee the student will pass those exams. In some cases, field experience, additional coursework, and/or background checks may be necessary to take or to successfully pass the exams.

    § Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., owns the CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM, and CFP® certification marks, which are awarded to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements. Kaplan University does not certify individuals to use CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM, and CFP® certification marks. CFP® certification is granted solely by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., to individuals who, in addition to completing an educational requirement, have met its ethics, experience, and examination requirements. 

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