MSF/MSA Dual Degree
Dual Master of Science in Finance / Master of Science in Accounting
Students interested in an advanced career in corporate finance can apply to both our Master of Science in Finance and Master of Science in Accounting programs and complete the two in as little as 16 months including the MS Finance summer project.
The Dual MSF/MSA degree program is recommended for students wishing to pursue a career in corporate finance and accounting, working through the financial organization with a potential for working as a Chief Financial Officer or similar. The Dual MSF/MSA can train students in the necessary accounting and finance skills to advance in their career with only one additional semester of coursework.
In general, the Dual MSF/MSA can be completed in 16 months, including the MS-Finance summer project. If additional prerequisites for either program are required, the program may take 21-24 months to complete.
Candidates must apply separately to and be admitted to both programs. Students must also complete any required prerequisites for the two degrees. Students work with the MSF and MSA advisors to set up a dual degree program ensuring that students meet the requirements of both degrees.
University policy on dual degrees stipulates that a maximum of 50% of the credit hours for the shorter program may be counted toward both degrees. Therefore, the MBF/MSA degree requires a total of 51 units: the 15 units of Finance course work based on the MSF subplan chosen, plus an additional 12 units of required Finance course work counting toward both degrees, ACCT554I (3 units), 15 units of core Accounting course requirements, and 6 units of required Finance master's project.
Summary
The student must meet the prerequisite requirements for both degrees.
MSF Degree requirements: 36 (30 units of coursework plus a 6-unit summer project or 36 units of coursework)
MSA Degree requirements: 30 units of coursework
However, up to 15 units of course work may be counted toward both degrees, as described below.
Specifically, to receive the dual degree, the following are required:
- For the MSF degree:
15 units of Finance coursework in the chosen subplan
12 units of Finance coursework (counted toward both degrees)
3 units of Accounting coursework (specifically ACCT554, counted toward both degrees)
6 units of MSF Project course work (FIN 909) or additional units in Finance
36 units: meets requirement for the MSF degree
- For the MSA degree:
15 units of core Accounting requirements (selected from the list below)
3 units of specific core Accounting courses (ACCT 554, counted toward both degrees)
12 units of Finance coursework (counted toward both degrees)
30 units: meets requirement for the MSA degree
- For the MSF/MSA degree:
Total Units: 51 units
A summary page of the Dual MSF/MSA requirements is available.
Specific courses required for the MSF degree depend on the chosen track of study (see Master's in Finance > Curriculum). You must meet the requirements of your chosen MSF track.
Exceptions:
- FIN525, Empirical Financial Methods does not count toward the MSA degree.
- FIN909, Finance Master's Project does not count toward the MSA degree.
To be considered for a Dual MSF/MSA, you must:
- Apply to both the MSF and MSA programs for the desired semester of admission.
- Meet with the MSF and MSA advisors to ensure you have met or are scheduled to complete the required prerequisite courses.
- Draft a Plan of Study with your MSF and MSA advisors outlining your coursework in five categories: MSF (12 units), Finance courses for dual MSF/MSA (12 units), MSF project (6 units), ACCT554 (3 units), core Accounting courses (15 units).
The Plan of Study should outline your plans for completing 51 credit hours meeting the requirements above. It is strongly recommended that you complete this plan before starting the programs to ensure that you will meet the requirements of both degrees.