Required Courses for the MSFA Program
Traditional Pathway
This pathway requires ten (10) courses with a total of thirty (30) credits, which include:
ACCT545: Financial Statement Analysis
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): None
This course covers financial statement analysis starting with the origin of financial data and uses of financial reporting. Topical coverage includes revenue recognition and income determination with in depth analysis of the income statement. Coverage also includes applied financial statement analysis including cause-of-change, common-size, and trend analyses.
ACCT550: Advanced Financial Statement Analysis
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ACCT545
Building on financial statement analysis tools and techniques covered in ACCT545, this course provides advanced analysis of the asset side of the balance sheet, including receivables, inventory, and long-lived assets. Additional coverage includes using financial information in making decisions associated with credit analysis, contracting, and valuation, as well as in-depth study of the sources and uses of cash as identified in the statement of cash flows (operations, investing, and financing).
ECON524 Economics for Investment Decision Making
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): None
This course explores economic issues relevant to investment advisors. Topics include supply and demand, monetary and fiscal policies, economic growth, international trade, investment decisions, and currency exchange. Discussions center on the use of economic indicators for investment decisions. Real world examples studied and research is required for this course.
FINA515: The Financial System, Markets, and Instruments
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): None
This course studies the financial system including financial institutions, instruments and markets. Topical coverage includes time-value-of-money, diversification, risk and return characteristics of securities, bonds, bond features, bond pricing, stocks, market efficiency, interest rate determination, and the term structure of interest rates.
FINA525: Quantitative Methods
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): None
This course covers the fundamentals of quantitative concepts and techniques including descriptive statistics, probability distributions, sampling, hypothesis testing, correlation analysis, linear regression, and time-series models.
FINA565: Security Analysis and Valuation
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ACCT550, ECON524, FINA515, and FINA525 (or equivalent courses)
This course covers the advanced analysis of equity and debt securities, including the valuation of common stock, preferred stock, and various types of fixed-income instruments. Common stock topics include valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow analysis, price multiples, and the residual income model. Bond features and characteristics including time-to-maturity, types of coupons, callability, and conversion are covered. Other relevant topics covered are investing strategies, duration, convexity, and risks relevant to securities, including default, credit, interest rate, and reinvestment risk. Additional coverage includes behavioral finance, technical analysis, and the Efficient Market Hypothesis.
FINA575: Corporate Finance
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ACCT550, ECON524, FINA515, FINA525 (or equivalent courses)
This course examines the financial structure of corporations with an emphasis on understanding financial statements, time value of money, cash flows, working capital management, capital structure, financing decisions, cost of capital, and capital budgeting techniques.
FINA585: Derivatives and Alternative Investments
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ACCT550, ECON524, FINA515, FINA525, and FINA565 (or equivalent courses)
This course explores derivatives, alternative investments, and alternative investment strategies. The course covers the mechanics and markets for options, forward and futures contracts. forward and futures pricing, equity options, and interest rate derivatives. Additionally, it covers alternative investments and alternative strategies including the use of derivatives in these strategies. Students will be introduced to hedge funds, real assets, private capital, liquid alternatives, and the use of derivatives and alternative investments in portfolio management.
FINA595: Portfolio Management
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ACCT550, ECON524, FINA515, FINA525, and FINA565 (or equivalent courses)
This course studies portfolio construction with a focus on asset allocation and diversification. Additional topics include assessing risk-adjusted performance of portfolios, security selection, performance measurement, and evaluation. The course involves an applied perspective of the “money manager,” including the development of the Investor Policy Statement and understanding objectives and constraints of different types of investors (individual, institutional, etc.).
FINA650: Financial Analysis Capstone
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): 27 credits completed in the MSFA program
This course provides comprehensive coverage of CFA Institute’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct and builds on the learning outcomes embedded throughout the MSFA curriculum through two related components. One component involves a series of short, applied problem sets in CFA examination format focused on economic analysis, quantitative methods, financial statement analysis, corporate finance, fixed income analysis, portfolio management, and ethics. The second component is a multi-part case study developed throughout the course focused on advanced economic analysis, equity analysis, risk analysis, and valuation.
CFA Charterholder Pathway
CFA Charterholders are granted three (3) courses or nine (9) credit hours of credit for prior learning and can complete the CFA Charterholder Pathway and earn the Masters degree by selecting and completing seven (7) elective courses for twenty one (21) credit hours. Those who have completed all three levels of the CFA Examinations, but have not yet been conferred the CFA designation, may also apply for this pathway and be considered for credit for prior learning.
Electives—Area A: Courses from Other Programs
- Students may select approved elective courses from other disciplines, allowing them to broaden their learning, explore interdisciplinary interests, and tailor their academic experience to support their individual goals. Area A courses are offered through programs outside of Financial Analysis.
- Students may select up to 9 credits in electives from Area A.
PFPL522 Behavioral Finance
Program: Personal Financial Planning
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): None For CFA Charterholders
This course explores behavioral finance and its impact on creating portfolios. Various biases are explored and then applied to real-world case studies. Also explored is the psychology of money, money scripts and disorders, and how past experiences can impact how people view and handle money on a day-to-day basis.
PFPL529 Business Valuation for Financial Professionals
Program: Personal Financial Planning
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): None For CFA Charterholders
The primary objective of the course is to provide students with an understanding of the role business valuation plays in the real world. The course provides a pathway to becoming a business valuation analyst and/or Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) credential holder or Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) credential holder. The course introduces basic principles in business valuation and pre-engagement considerations including professional standards such as AICPA VS Section 100. The course covers sources of data, economic and financial statement analysis, the three valuation approaches, cost of capital, and valuation adjustments. It concludes with a discussion of the valuation conclusion and reporting and a brief survey of valuations for financial reporting, intangible assets, and litigation.
PFPL594 Introduction to Financial Services Research
Program: Personal Financial Planning
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): None For CFA Charterholders
This course focuses on contemporary issues in financial services, allowing students to explore unique topics of interest. Through independent research, students will develop a deep understanding of a chosen subject. The course emphasizes critical analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of scholarly materials, culminating in a well-researched graduate-level paper. Along the way, students will refine their research skills and will have an opportunity to practice sharing their research ideas through meaningfully discourse. The final project—a comprehensive research paper—showcases students' ability to research a topic of their choosing with academic rigor.
Electives—Area B: Courses from the Financial Analysis Program
- Electives listed in Area B are designed to help students build practical skills in financial analysis and research.
- Students may select up to 21 credits in electives from Area B.
ACCT555 Forensic Accounting
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): None For CFA Charterholders
This course explores the field of forensic accounting with a focus on fraud detection, investigation, and prevention. Students will analyze historical and modern financial fraud cases and learn how forensic accounting tools and frameworks are used to investigate, uncover, and prevent accounting manipulation. The course examines psychological, legal, and ethical aspects of fraud, introduces techniques such as red flag analysis and forensic data analytics, and prepares students for roles involving fraud investigation, litigation support, and corporate compliance.
FINA527 Financial Data Analytics
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): None For CFA Charterholders
In this course, students are set to master the intricate world of data analytics, tailored for financial applications. Structured around nine pivotal Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs), the course spans from foundational data analytics principles to advanced topics like regression models, time series forecasting, data mining, and cluster analysis, all essential for financial analysis and investment decision-making. It emphasizes developing robust data management, transformation, and visualization skills, alongside understanding and applying various regression and tree models, and mastering data mining techniques and cluster analysis.
Upon completion, students will not only be proficient in handling, preparing, and transforming financial data, but also adept in visualizing and interpreting complex relationships within datasets. They will be equipped to apply advanced analytical methods, including regression analysis, time series forecasting, and cluster analysis, enabling them to analyze intricate financial datasets, derive insightful information, and make informed, data-driven decisions in the finance sector.
FINA533 Finance and Technology
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): None For CFA Charterholders
This course examines the rapidly evolving world of financial technology (fintech) and its transformative impact on traditional financial services. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of how fintech companies, such as PayPal, Stripe, Square, Robinhood, Coinbase, and SoFi, are driving digital innovation and reshaping industries including payments, lending, wealth management, and insurance. Topics include foundational concepts like blockchain technology and cryptocurrency, digital and mobile payment systems, cross-border payment solutions, peer-to-peer lending platforms, robo-advisors, and emerging regulatory frameworks.
The course also highlights the roles of leading fintech companies in creating new business models, addressing financial inclusion, and tackling industry challenges like cybersecurity and data privacy. Through case studies of fintech pioneers and hands-on projects, students will analyze real-world applications, explore strategies for success in the fintech ecosystem, and evaluate the opportunities and risks within this dynamic sector. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate and contribute to the fintech industry’s growth and innovation.
FINA537 Sustainable Investing
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): None For CFA Charterholders
This course covers the foundations and history of sustainable investing, the various approaches to sustainable investing, shareholder advocacy, community investing, corporate responsibility, incorporating ESG analysis into portfolio construction and advising, ESG performance, risk and rating metrics, the fiduciary standard and how to effectively communicate the value of sustainable investing, and current and future challenges in the industry. The course exposes the student to a balanced presentation of both the theoretical and practical aspects of investment management through analysis of a case study.
FINA561 Real Estate Finance and Investments
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): None For CFA Charterholders
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of real estate finance and investment, covering fundamental principles and advanced techniques. Topics include legal concepts, mortgage financing, valuation of income properties, investment analysis, financial leverage, and portfolio considerations. Students will engage in weekly discussions, quizzes, and real-world application activities to reinforce the concepts.
FINA610 Research Methods
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): PFPL594
This course equips students with essential research skills tailored for academic writing in financial analysis. The course covers the full spectrum of the research process, from clarifying research questions and designing robust research methods to collecting, analyzing, and presenting data effectively. It emphasizes developing both qualitative and quantitative research techniques critical for solving real-world financial problems. Students will explore foundational research principles and learn to navigate challenges such as sampling design, ethical research considerations, data measurement and collection methods, and hypothesis testing. Throughout the course, students will refine their ability to formulate precise and impactful research questions and employ both qualitative and quantitative methods for reliable data collection and analysis. With these skills, they will be better prepared to write professional academic research papers that contribute meaningful insights to financial analysis literature and enhance decision-making in the finance and investment sectors.
FINA620 Research Project
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): PFPL594 and FINA610
This is an elective capstone research course in the Master of Science in Financial Analysis CFA Charterholder Pathway and Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning. This course builds upon the research skills developed in PFPL594 Introduction to Financial Services Research and FINA610 Research Methods. Students will undertake an independent research project in financial analysis, applying qualitative and quantitative methodologies to address a significant financial question. By the end of the course, students will produce a substantial research paper that demonstrates their ability to conduct financial research, analyze data, and present meaningful insights. This paper may serve as a foundation for industry application, publication, or further academic research.
