Online Economics Finance Degree :: Accredited Universities

Technological advances and economic and political events have greatly influenced the financial industry in recent years. As the marketplace becomes increasingly complex, financial managers and analysts need an in-depth understanding of how to maximize global diversification of financial portfolios, shareholder value, and return on financial assets while managing the risk exposure to interest rate, exchange rate, and commodity fluctuation. A master's degree in finance can help equip you with the skills you need to meet the demands of today's marketplace.

Why an Online Master of Finance at Penn State?

Penn State's online Master of Finance degree gives you a well-rounded understanding of finance by covering practical business applications that you can use to manage current financial challenges, as well as advanced financial theory that can provide you with the tools you need to address future trends. This well-respected graduate degree program is AACSB-accredited and can help to prepare you for various professional certifications, such as the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) certification.

As a student in the program, you can learn about:

- financial modeling, including capital budgeting, basic statistics, and forecasting

- financial accounting and the principles underlying financial accounting and use of accounting information for decision making

- advanced topics involving strategic financial decisions, including capital structure and cost of capital, valuation, and corporate control

- multinational financial management for companies subject to foreign exchange risk exposure and different tax regulations in foreign countries

- financial derivative securities covering options, forwards, futures, and OTC derivatives

Who Should Apply?

This program is designed for individuals who are interested in careers as financial professionals in financial management, or investment management, who have completed some course work in business statistics, financial management/corporate finance, and microeconomics.

Career Opportunities for Graduates

Because the Penn State online Master of Finance degree can give you a balanced perspective of all areas of finance, it can help you prepare for positions such as:

asset/wealth or private equity manager
investment banking or commercial lending officer
financial model builder
financial analyst
mutual fund managers, portfolio manager
financial planner
financial risk manager
corporate finance officer

Entry Requirements

For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

An undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale in the final two years of undergraduate studies is required.

Applicants to the Master of Finance program should have satisfactory knowledge of business statistics, financial management/corporate finance, and microeconomics, determined by evaluation of official transcripts. For applicants who do not have sufficient background in these areas prior to beginning the Master of Finance program, you will be asked to enroll in self-paced, non-credit, online mini-courses.

International applicants
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All international applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the internet-based test (iBT). Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 18 may be considered for provisional admission, which requires completion of specified remedial English courses ESL 114G (American Oral English for Academic Purposes) and/or ESL 116G (ESL/Composition for Academic Disciplines) and attainment of a grade of B or higher. The minimum acceptable composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. Graduate programs may have more stringent requirements.

Other Fees

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The BS degree in Business, with a Finance concentration, is constituted of a solid core of balanced coursework in management, marketing, economics, contemporary corporate operations and structures, business communication – with special emphasis on financial operations and financial management. Degree candidates analyze and apply the tools of effective financial analysis, understanding how such analysis bears upon and impacts decision-making and problem-solving. Students confront a panorama of financial issues, prepare a wide array of reports, and come to understand the effects of the international market on local markets, and of technological applications within the finance realm. The student is then afforded both firm business grounding and a substantial specialization in the multi-focal areas of finance and the co-related divisions of the business enterprise.

- Apply critical thinking and reasoning skills to identify problems and to develop problem-solving abilities within the business context.

- Develop potential, enabling them to face the future with confidence and determination.

- Prepare for leadership and service within a broad spectrum of business and business-related arenas.

- Acquire the tools specific to business processes and procedures and the capacity to understand the principal theory, significance and practical applications related thereto.

- Develop a solid understanding of the functional components of business - economics, marketing, accounting, finance, law, management, thus enabling the graduate to assume managerial trainee and like positions, in which they will have the occasion to grow and develop further.

- Apply theoretical knowledge to the solution of real-life (field related) problems both individually and through teamwork within the context of a variety of active learning environments.

- Develop strong communication skills with due emphasis on the tools of effective writing.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have completed a high school or diploma from an accredited institution

International Applicants
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International student (educated outside of the United States), must provide proof of college level proficiency in English when native language is not English in one of the following

- A college transcript indicating a grade of C or higher in an English composition course.

- A high school diploma completed where instruction is conducted in English.

- College transcript indicating completion of 30 semester hours of credit with an average of "C" or higher where instruction is conducted in English.

- Graduation from a school or university where instruction is conducted in English

- A minimum grade of level 3 on the ACT COMPASS's English as a Second language Placement Test
A minimum grade of Pre-1 on the Eiken English Proficiency Exam

- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) - Minimum score of 6.0 on the academic writing and academic reading modules.

- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores( (hardcopy) (PBT) or online version (iBT), or computer-based (CBT), score required for:

500 (PBT) or, 61 (iBT) or 173 (CBT)

Other Fees

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The Master in Science program in Business: Finance equips graduate students with the skills necessary to excel in today’s financial marketplace. The intensive training prepares degree candidates to assume a wide range of professional responsibilities in the financial industry (including financial engineering, investments management, financial decision-making, quantitative asset management, managerial economics, financial forecasting, financial institutions, and applied research). There is focused on the role of financial intermediaries; valuation of financial assets; determination and behavior of interest rates; incentives and determinants of corporate behavior. The curriculum is designed to build and strengthen skills in financial operations, financial decisions, investment strategies and investment management.

Program Objectives:
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- Evidence mastery of the major functional areas of business including: the ability to develop, emend, analyze and produce formalize reports relevant to financial information

- Refine and expand knowledge of finance-based applications which allow for the inclusion of complex financial information in both reporting and in managerial decision-making.

- Identify and embrace the responsibilities of a financial manager’s roles in the areas of planning, organizing, directing, and controlling, with specific expertise in the area of financial leadership.

- Manifest a deep-rooted understanding of the finance and marketing mix to successfully perform what can often be competitive and complex environments.

- Acquire an extended familiarity with fundamental legal concepts and their applications within the business community.

- Manifest substantial knowledge of the use of information technology in managing organizations and the ability to apply modern scientific and mathematical methods to management and finance-related problems with a reasonable degree of sophistication.

- Apply theoretical knowledge to the solution of complex, financial problems -- both individually (in a managerial/leadership role) and through teamwork within the context of an active work environment.

- Demonstrate advanced sills that allow one to direct and executive complex analytical and objective problem solving adapted to the contextual needs of given organizations.

- Further hone communicative skills, which underpin the ability to conduct independent research and to formulate documents, reports, and publications that manifest mastery of content and execution.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

International Applicants
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International student (educated outside of the United States), must provide proof of college level proficiency in English when native language is not English in one of the following

- A college transcript indicating a grade of C or higher in an English composition course.

- A high school diploma completed where instruction is conducted in English.

- College transcript indicating completion of 30 semester hours of credit with an average of "C" or higher where instruction is conducted in English.

- Graduation from a school or university where instruction is conducted in English

- A minimum grade of level 3 on the ACT COMPASS's English as a Second language Placement Test
A minimum grade of Pre-1 on the Eiken English Proficiency Exam

- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) - Minimum score of 6.0 on the academic writing and academic reading modules.

- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores( (hardcopy) (PBT) or online version (iBT), or computer-based (CBT), score required for:

530 (PBT) or, 71 (iBT) or 197 (CBT)

Other Fees

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The MSc Finance enables you to deepen your understanding of financial markets, banks, and their relation to economic performance. It provides a sound platform for advancing your career in finance and policy. Because finance is so wide ranging, the degree enables you to choose between three majors:

Economic Policy
Financial Sector Management
Quantitative Finance
The three alternative pathways of the MSc Finance programme enable you to select a study path best suited to your objectives and skills.

The MSc Finance (major: Quantitative Finance) is designed principally for postgraduates whose work in banks and other financial institutions requires knowledge of statistical (particularly econometric) and quantitative approaches to risk and derivatives. It is particularly suitable if you have a first degree in engineering, applied science, applied mathematics, economics, or similar subjects, but also suitable for others with quantitative skills.

Programme aims
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This programme will equip you with the necessary statistical (particularly econometric) skills and quantitative approaches to risk and derivatives.

Entry Requirements

Academic Requirements
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In order to be considered for registration applicants must have:

A Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics or other appropriate discipline, from a UK university or other institution acceptable to the University, or an equivalent international qualification (qualifications in other subjects will be assessed on their merits)
Or

Previous education and experience without a UK Bachelor’s degree, or international equivalent, that satisfies the University as a qualification on the same level as a UK Bachelor’s degree approved under the point above for this purpose and has included suitable preliminary training.

English Language Requirements
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All applicants must have a high level of English language ability in reading, writing and study skills equivalent to a score of 7.0 in the IELTS test, or 7 in both reading and writing; or a score of 600+ in the TOEFL paper-based test of English, with at least 5.0 in the test of written English; and in the TOEFL internet-based test, you will need a score of 100+, with 25+ in the written English test. Applicants may be asked to provide evidence of language ability as tested by the British Council or another registered body.

Other Fees

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With courses ranging from financial reporting and analysis to international business and macroeconomics, this online bachelor’s degree program offers a complete education in finance and accounting. Along with instilling fundamental skills and knowledge, it is also designed to enhance the analytical and quantitative capabilities that are essential for success. The program allows students to focus their studies by choosing from electives in taxation, accounting information systems, investment management, financial strategy, and international finance. The online format makes it easier for students to manage coursework, interact with faculty and peers, and collaborate on projects.

If you’re looking for a career in finance, the online Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting Management degree program will prepare you to be successful whether you’re managing budgets and investments or leveraging assets.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must submit one of the following

Official high school degree
Official GED
Official associate degree showing degree conferral and date

International applicants for whose English is not a primary language must prove English language proficiency in one of the following ways:

TOEFL - 79
IELTS - 6.5

Other Fees

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