Management, MS: Finance Analysis

The STEM-Designated MS in Management - Finance Analysis concentration includes extensive study of financial markets to prepare students for professional careers in corporate and investment finance. The curriculum includes an examination of capital markets, investment banking, financial institutions, corporate financial control, securities valuation techniques, capital budgeting, portfolio strategies, hedging and arbitrage, and international fund management. 

The program provides students with foundational training in accounting and statistical analysis and in-depth finance skill sets necessary to understand and meet the growing needs of financial industries and prepares students for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exams.

Admission Requirements 

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.

Admission

An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus the following program requirements to be considered for admission:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Submission of score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
• Applicants must submit a statement of purpose (1 to 2 pages on why you would like to earn your degree at the Lubar College of Business and your plans after graduation).
• A resume is mandatory for applicants with GPAs lower than 3.0 and optional for applicants with GPAs 3.0 or higher.
• Review by the Master of Science Program Committee to assess academic achievement and ability to do intensive graduate-level work.

Applicants admitted to the MS program may be required to complete management foundation courses. Individual areas of concentration require different foundation courses. (See Lubar College of Business MBA/M.S. brochure and the Lubar College of Business Website for details). Foundation courses will be waived if students have completed equivalent coursework. Credits earned in these courses do not count toward the degree.

Students select the area of concentration most suited to their educational goals. The areas of concentration in the program are:

• Accounting (first professional degree—open only for students with non-accounting majors at baccalaureate level);
• Professional Accounting (program open to students who have completed an undergraduate degree in accounting);
• Finance Analysis;
• Marketing;
• Taxation.

If a student is waived out of a required course, an approved elective course must be substituted in its place and approved by Graduate Program Services (Lubar N458).

The major professor, in consultation with the student, reviews the student’s academic background and career goals and designs an appropriate program of study consistent with degree requirements. In developing a program of study for a student who has no undergraduate background in business administration, care is taken to ensure a basic exposure to different aspects of the management field as well as an in-depth preparation in the chosen field of specialization.

Credits and Courses

The minimum degree requirement for the Master of Science in Management degree concentrations varies from 30-33 graduate credits. In the 30-credit concentrations, at least 18 credits must be taken in the Lubar College of Business.

Electives provide distinction to each individual program. Through proper selection and packaging, each student can design a program to meet individual educational objectives while maintaining a high degree of academic strength. These courses may be selected from the many available in the Lubar College of Business, or from among those offered in graduate programs of other UWM departments.

Finance Analysis

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Integrating course

Additional Requirements

Students in the MS program have the option of doing a management research project. This option gives students the opportunity to apply methodological techniques and area studies. The urban location and strong ties with the business sector provide opportunities for student projects.

Major Professor as Advisor

Students in the MS program must choose a major professor during the first ten weeks of their first semester of graduate enrollment to advise and supervise their studies. A listing of faculty by area of interest is sent to each MS student to aid in their selection of a major professor. This list is also available in the Graduate Programs Services office, Lubar N251.

The Management Research Project/Thesis

The Management Research Project/Thesis is a variable 2-6 credit management research project.

Comprehensive Examination

Students must pass a final oral examination if they choose a 4-6-credit management research project or thesis.

Time Limit

The student must complete all degree requirements within five years of initial enrollment. In areas of concentration in which the total number of degree credits required exceeds 30, the student must complete all degree requirements within seven years of initial enrollment.

Lubar College of Business MS Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from a UWM Lubar College of Business MS program will: 

• Synthesize a business case or project and produce a well-written paper.  
• Gain analytical skills through the use of appropriate techniques and evidence.  
• Identify and examine the concepts and techniques of financial analysis. 
• Identify and analyze alternative methods for solving real world financial problems. 
• Use data analytics to solve business problems. 
• Explain how to implement an IT solution. 
• Identify consumer behavior theories. 

Accelerated Program Option

This program is offered as part of an accelerated graduate program. For more information, see Accelerated Graduate Degrees.

Finance, BBA/Management, MS: Finance Analysis

This accelerated graduate degree involves the following bachelor’s and master’s degrees: Finance, BBA and Management, MS: Finance Analysis There are 6 forward-shared credits and 12 backward-shared credits for a total of 18 shared credits.

Eligible Forward-Shared Courses

Six (6) graduate-level credits taken in undergraduate status may count toward Business Elective credits and share forward to the master’s degree. Any of the required or elective course options in the Management, MS: Finance Analysis program may be shared forward.

Eligible Backward-Shared Courses

Twelve (12) graduate credits may be backward shared as such: Up to 3 credits of Finance Major Electives; 6 credits of Business Electives; 3 credits of General Electives. Any of the required or elective course options in the Management, MS: Finance Analysis program may be shared backward. Additional graduate-level courses may be selected and substituted with approval from advisor and course instructor.

Undergraduate Requirements

The intent to pursue an accelerated degree in Management, MS: Finance Analysis may be declared with the student’s undergraduate advisor upon advancement to the major and with a 3.00 cumulative GPA. 

Per usual UWM Graduate School criteria, students must obtain a “B” or better in all courses taken at the graduate level that are to be counted toward a graduate degree. 

Graduate School Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission into the Graduate School prior to completing their Bachelor’s degree, students must meet the minimum criteria for admission established by the Management, MS: Finance Analysis and the UWM Graduate School. Students who meet the minimum Graduate School admissions criteria with a 3.00 cumulative GPA as determined by the Graduate School will be waived from taking the GRE/GMAT and be guaranteed admittance to the Management, MS: Finance Analysis. Those between a 2.75 and 2.99 cumulative GPA as determined by the Graduate School will be required to submit a GRE/GMAT score and will be subject to secondary review by Lubar Finance faculty.

Opting Out of the AGD as an Undergraduate Student

Opting Out of the AGD After Starting Graduate School

Sample Plan of Study

The sample plan below illustrates how students can progress through their undergraduate degree and transition into an Accelerated Graduate Degree (AGD). It provides an example of when undergraduate and graduate-level coursework may be completed and how shared credits can be applied toward both degrees. This is a sample plan, not a required course sequence, and your plan may vary. Work with your undergraduate advisor to develop an individualized plan and confirm all Accelerated Graduate Degree requirements.

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Based on English and Math placement. Testing into a higher or lower level may alter timeline.

²

See list of Finance Major Electives below.

³

Course shares credit foward to Management, MS: Finance Analysis and satisfies BBA Business Elective credits.

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Course shares credit backward to the BBA as Business or General Elective credits.

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Course shares credit backward to the BBA as Finance Major Elective credits.

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See list of Management, MS: Finance Analysis Electives below.