Finance, MFin
Degree: Master of Finance (MFin)
Program Overview
The Master of Finance program prepares students to make immediate, skilled contributions in the dynamic world of finance with a curriculum grounded in both theory and practice. Students engage in case studies, corporate-sponsored projects, industry presentations, and site visits. The program emphasizes analytical depth and practical application, equipping students with a strong foundation in finance.
Students receive robust support from Weatherhead’s Career Management Office, whose dedicated staff assist with job and internship searches, provide industry connections, and offer guidance on professional development. Additional opportunities include corporate and city treks, practitioner-led seminars, academic presentations, and a wide range of networking events. The program is recognized by the CFA Institute as a University Affiliated Program.
For more information visit the Master of Finance program's website or contact Professor Leonardo Madureira, Faculty Program Director, at 216.368.5003.
Learning Outcomes
- Students are competent analytical problem solvers.
- Students are skilled at solving unstructured problems.
- Students demonstrate effective teamwork.
Program Requirements
The Master of Finance (MFIN) program is a STEM-eligible, 30-credit-hour degree that can be completed in two semesters, with the option to extend across additional semesters. Students complete a prescribed (lockstep) curriculum, along with a capstone project and 4.5 credit hours of the WSOM Professionalism Core.
The MFIN program also offers an optional 39-credit-hour STEM-eligible track. To qualify for the STEM track, students complete the 30-credit lockstep curriculum plus 9 additional credit hours of elective graduate coursework from any WSOM graduate program. Students work closely with MFIN graduate advisors to select electives that complement their learning goals, career interests, and STEM designation eligibility.
Prerequisites
None. Students from any background, regardless of their undergraduate major, are eligible for the Master of Finance program.
Combined Bachelor's/Master's
CWRU combined bachelor’s/master’s students may double‑count up to 9 graduate credit hours toward the total credit hours required for both degrees. Students should consult with their undergraduate Academic Representative regarding whether any of those 9 credit hours might additionally be substituted for specific major or minor requirements. Students should work closely with both undergraduate and graduate advisors to plan a path for completing both degrees that stays within the allowable maximum credit load per semester.
Required Courses
The program consists of the following courses:a
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MGMT 411 | Professional Development: Skills for Success (Professional Development) | 0.75 |
| MGMT 412 | Leadership in Action: Teamwork and Influence (Leadership in Action) | 1.5 |
| MGMT 413 | Business Communication: Storytelling for Impact (Business Communication) | 1.5 |
| MGMT 414 | Project Execution Skills: Strategies for Real World Problem Solving (Project Execution Strategies) | 0.75 |
| FNCE 404 | Financial Modeling b | 3 |
| FNCE 421 | Corporate Financial Analysis | 3 |
| FNCE 429 | Investment Management c | 3 |
| FNCE 430 | Derivatives and Risk Management c | 3 |
| FNCE 431 | Fixed Income Markets and Their Derivatives c | 3 |
| FNCE 432 | Corporate Risk Management b | 3 |
| FNCE 435 | Empirical Finance c | 3 |
| FNCE 440 | Financial Decisions and Value Creation c | 3 |
| FNCE 495 | Capstone Project: Master of Finance (Capstone) | 1.5 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- a
Or any other course as deemed appropriate by the Master of Finance faculty director. If seeking STEM-designation of the program, STEM courses must be substituted with other STEM courses. Current master's students, check this website for the list of WSOM STEM-approved courses.
- b
This course satisfies 1.5 credit hours of STEM (so if seeking STEM-designation of the program, any course substitute must be at least 1.5 credit hours of STEM).
- c
This course satisfies 3 credit hours of STEM (so if seeking STEM-designation of the program, any course substitute must be 3 credit hours of STEM).
Concentrations
Students may elect to pursue a 39‑credit‑hour STEM‑eligible option, which includes the 30‑credit lockstep curriculum plus 9 additional credit hours of elective graduate coursework from any WSOM graduate program. Students work closely with MFIN graduate advisors to select electives that complement their learning goals, career interests, and STEM designation eligibility.
Sample Plan of Study
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MGMT 411 | Professional Development: Skills for Success | .75 |
| MGMT 412 | Leadership in Action: Teamwork and Influence | 1.5 |
| FNCE 404 | Financial Modeling a | 3 |
| FNCE 421 | Corporate Financial Analysis | 3 |
| FNCE 430 | Derivatives and Risk Management b | 3 |
| FNCE 435 | Empirical Finance b | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 14.25 | |
| Spring | ||
| MGMT 413 | Business Communication: Storytelling for Impact | 1.5 |
| MGMT 414 | Project Execution Skills: Strategies for Real World Problem Solving | .75 |
| FNCE 429 | Investment Management b | 3 |
| FNCE 431 | Fixed Income Markets and Their Derivatives b | 3 |
| FNCE 432 | Corporate Risk Management a | 3 |
| FNCE 440 | Financial Decisions and Value Creation b | 3 |
| FNCE 495 | Capstone Project: Master of Finance | 1.5 |
| Credit Hours | 15.75 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- a
This course satisfies 1.5 credit hours of STEM (so if seeking STEM-designation of the program, any course substitute must be at least 1.5 credit hours of STEM).
- b
This course satisfies 3 credit hours of STEM (so if seeking STEM-designation of the program, any course substitute must be 3 credit hours of STEM).