The nine-month MS in finance provides extensive coursework and an in-depth application of materials, preparing students for a range of job opportunities. In addition to the coursework, enrichment seminars in topics ranging from teamwork and leadership to ethics and corporate social responsibility support the "whole student" experience by incorporating professional development into the academic experience.

The focused finance curriculum offers students a firm grounding in general finance, and helps to develop the specific skills necessary to pursue careers in a variety of financial fields. 

The MS degree in finance offers two tracks to develop skills in specific disciplines: 

  • The investment management (IM) track provides the knowledge and practical tools to construct optimal investment portfolios for an investor's desired goals in terms of assets, risks and returns. The curriculum offers strong foundational knowledge of investment theories along with intensive data-driven analysis to inform asset selection, portfolio construction, diversification and risk management. Coursework covers the drivers of value and growth in markets, the institutional features of stocks, bonds and derivatives markets, as well as investors’ considerations among the various investment vehicles including ETFs, mutual funds, hedge funds, venture capital and private equity. This track prepares graduates with competencies necessary to pursue a career with an investment management firm and to take the CFA Level I exam. 
  • The sustainable finance (SF) track provides up-to-date knowledge for a wide array of careers helping investors, corporations, and governments allocate capital between different sustainability projects and evaluate the impact of sustainable funding in the markets.
  • The corporate finance/consulting (CF) track prepares students for a career in management consulting, investment banking, private equity and venture capital.

For additional information, please visit Leeds School Graduate Programs or email us at leedsgrad@colorado.edu.

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Requirements

Core Courses
MSBC 5031Quantitative Methods in Finance3
MSBC 5235Finance Industry Academy 13
MSBC 5015Managerial Economics1.5
MSBC 5020Financial Accounting1.5
MSBC 5060Corporate Finance3
MSBC 5220Investment Management & Analysis3
MBAX 6250Derivative Securities3
MBAX 6210Applied Financial Management3
MBAX 6260Fixed Income Investing3
Track-Specific Elective Courses
Choose two track-specific electives6
Total Credit Hours30

Program Tracks

Corporate Finance Track

Required Courses
MSBC 5031Quantitative Methods in Finance3
MSBC 5235Finance Industry Academy 13
MSBC 5015Managerial Economics1.5
MSBC 5020Financial Accounting1.5
MSBC 5060Corporate Finance3
MSBC 5220Investment Management & Analysis3
MBAX 6250Derivative Securities3
MBAX 6210Applied Financial Management3
MBAX 6260Fixed Income Investing3
Elective Courses
Select two:6
MBAX 6270
Applied Derivatives
MSBX 5205
Financial Strategy and Decision Modeling
MSBX 6290
Textual Analysis in Business
Total Credit Hours30

Investment Management Track

Required Courses
MSBC 5031Quantitative Methods in Finance3
MSBC 5235Finance Industry Academy 13
MSBC 5015Managerial Economics1.5
MSBC 5020Financial Accounting1.5
MSBC 5060Corporate Finance3
MSBC 5220Investment Management & Analysis3
MBAX 6250Derivative Securities3
MBAX 6210Applied Financial Management3
MBAX 6260Fixed Income Investing3
Elective Courses
Select two:6
MBAX 6270
Applied Derivatives
MSBX 5225
Advanced Portfolio Management
MSBX 6290
Textual Analysis in Business
Total Credit Hours30

Sustainable Finance Track

Required Courses
MSBC 5031Quantitative Methods in Finance3
MSBC 5235Finance Industry Academy 13
MSBC 5015Managerial Economics1.5
MSBC 5020Financial Accounting1.5
MSBC 5060Corporate Finance3
MSBC 5220Investment Management & Analysis3
MBAX 6250Derivative Securities3
MBAX 6210Applied Financial Management3
MSBX 5260Fixed Income Investing3
Electives
Select two:6
MSBX 5280
Sustainable Finance (Elective Courses)
MBAX 6815
Sustainable Real Estate
MBAX 6720
ESG Reporting and Analysis
Total Credit Hours30

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
MSBC 5015 Managerial Economics 1.5
MSBC 5020 Financial Accounting 1.5
MSBC 5031 Quantitative Methods in Finance 3
MSBC 5060 Corporate Finance 3
MSBC 5235 Finance Industry Academy 1.5
MBAX 6250 Derivative Securities 3
MSBC 5220 Investment Management & Analysis 3
 Credit Hours16.5
Spring Semester
MSBC 5235 Finance Industry Academy 1.5
MBAX 6210 Applied Financial Management 3
MBAX 6260 Fixed Income Investing 3
Two track-specific electives (see Requirements tab) 6
 Credit Hours13.5
 Total Credit Hours30

Program Tracks

Corporate Finance Track

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
MSBC 5015 Managerial Economics 1.5
MSBC 5020 Financial Accounting 1.5
MSBC 5031 Quantitative Methods in Finance 3
MSBC 5060 Corporate Finance 3
MSBC 5235 Finance Industry Academy 1.5
MSBC 5220 Investment Management & Analysis 3
MBAX 6250 Derivative Securities 3
 Credit Hours16.5
Spring Semester
MSBX 5260 Fixed Income Investing 3
MSBC 5235 Finance Industry Academy 1.5
MBAX 6210 Applied Financial Management 3
Electives: Select two of the following courses: 6
MSBX 5205
 Financial Strategy and Decision Modeling  
MSBX 6290
 Textual Analysis in Business  
MBAX 6270
 Applied Derivatives  
 Credit Hours13.5
 Total Credit Hours30

Investment Management Track

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
MSBC 5015 Managerial Economics 1.5
MSBC 5020 Financial Accounting 1.5
MSBC 5031 Quantitative Methods in Finance 3
MSBC 5060 Corporate Finance 3
MSBC 5220 Investment Management & Analysis 3
MSBC 5235 Finance Industry Academy 1.5
MBAX 6250 Derivative Securities 3
 Credit Hours16.5
Spring Semester
MSBC 5235 Finance Industry Academy 1.5
MBAX 6210 Applied Financial Management 3
MBAX 6260 Fixed Income Investing 3
Electives: Select two of the following: 6
MBAX 6270
 Applied Derivatives  
MSBX 5225
 Advanced Portfolio Management  
MSBX 6290
 Textual Analysis in Business  
 Credit Hours13.5
 Total Credit Hours30

Sustainable Finance Track

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
MSBC 5015 Managerial Economics 1.5
MSBC 5020 Financial Accounting 1.5
MSBC 5031 Quantitative Methods in Finance 3
MSBC 5060 Corporate Finance 3
MSBC 5235 Finance Industry Academy 1.5
MSBC 5220 Investment Management & Analysis 3
MBAX 6250 Derivative Securities 3
 Credit Hours16.5
Spring Semester
MSBC 5235 Finance Industry Academy 1.5
MSBX 5260 Fixed Income Investing 3
MBAX 6210 Applied Financial Management 3
Electives: select two of the following: 6
MSBX 5280
 Sustainable Finance  
MBAX 6720
 ESG Reporting and Analysis  
MBAX 6815
 Sustainable Real Estate  
 Credit Hours13.5
 Total Credit Hours30

Learning Outcomes  

By the completion of the program, students will be able to

  • Understand the core principles of financial markets and financial securities.
    •
  • Understand securities, securities markets, investment vehicles and derivative securities.
    •
  • Compare and contrast securities and portfolios of securities with different risk and return properties.
    •
  • Recognize the legal, ethical and social responsibilities of investors, investment managers and financial officers.
    •
  • Develop and demonstrate effective written and verbal communication, ensuring professional communication of financial topics.
    •
  • Using quantitative tools necessary for rigorous financial analysis, manage, analyze and interpret complex financial data for sound decision-making.
    •
  • Utilize financial mathematics and mathematical reasoning to value securities and investment opportunities, making informed business decisions.
    •
  • Apply principles of portfolio theory to investment and investment management decisions.
    •
  • Build, analyze and utilize financial models for decision-making in finance.