Ready to take the next step toward a high-level finance career after completing your business undergraduate degree? The new Master of Science (M.S.) in Finance offered through Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics gives recent college graduates the opportunity to earn an AACSB accredited graduate degree in finance in only three semesters.
In an era of increased market complexity, the rise of AI and fintech, and the growing pressure on organizations to make rapid data-driven decisions, coupled with the strong financial industry presence in Southern California, Cal State Fullerton is launching this new program to continue the focus on accessibility and attainability for aspiring business professionals.
“The financial industry continues to evolve rapidly, creating demand for professionals who can combine strong financial knowledge with analytical skills and an understanding of emerging technologies,” says Dean Sri Sundaram. “Our new M.S. in Finance responds directly to that changing environment while ensuring that a high-quality graduate finance education remains within reach for students. By building advanced expertise early in their professional journey, our graduates will be prepared to enter a competitive marketplace with a distinct advantage.”
Finance Professor Yingdi Wang notes the program stands apart from the competition through the integration of experiential learning – such as guest speakers, workshops and applied group consulting projects – and faculty who are experts in a broad range of sectors including insurance, risk management, financial planning and real estate. In addition to six required core courses, students take three elective courses, which may be completed alongside the core courses, and one capstone project course in the final term. Students can select career tracks in corporate finance, investments, risk management, financial planning and real estate. This allows them to customize their coursework through electives to create a personalized academic experience.
“The M.S. in Finance will stand out in Southern California by offering a tailored finance graduate experience, uniquely crafted for entry-level professionals,” explains Wang. “Our robust global network, analytics-driven approach and focus on cutting-edge industry trends ensure our graduates will be exceptionally well-positioned to turn their degrees into thriving careers.”
The Ideal Student for the M.S. in Finance
Think the M.S. in Finance may be in your future? Wang notes the ideal candidate has a strong undergraduate background in finance or a related field. Beyond that basic criteria, there are three categories of students who would benefit from the program: recent grads wanting to deepen their finance skills and accelerate their entry into higher level roles, early career professionals seeking more senior positions, and those changing their career path from other fields to finance seeking the credibility needed to succeed in these roles.
Making the Most of Your M.S. in Finance Journey
Upon graduation, alumni of the M.S. in Finance will be equipped, through the technical and soft skills gained and the network developed, to attain competitive roles such as analysts, treasurers, financial planners and advisors, and risk managers.
“The concentration pathways are specifically designed for students to sharpen their profile for the area where they want to build their career. Rather than a general finance degree that asks graduates to figure out their direction after they finish, our program builds that direction into the credential itself,” explains Wang.
On the technical side, financial modeling and valuation, quantitative methods for investments and risk analysis, and responsible use of AI are among the program’s mainstays. On the applied side, experiential learning and connections with industry professionals will provide a holistic understanding of how strategic financial decisions are made.
“We hope graduates leave with the ability to build and interpret complex financial models, use analytical tools to conduct rigorous analysis and effectively communicate financial decisions and recommendations to different stakeholders,” says Wang.
Get Started on Your Journey Today
Learn more about the new M.S. in Finance program on the Graduate Programs website or read more of our articles on grad school at the College of Business and Economics.
