MSF/MBA Dual Degree

MSF/MBA Dual Degree

Dual Master of Business Administration / Master of Science in Finance

Earn an MSF alongside your MBA for excellent opportunities wherever business and finance go hand in hand. Apply separately to both programs, completing core MBA requirements in your first year, then spending your second year on the MSF track. You’ll need to apply to both programs separately and complete a total of 68 units. Both degrees will be awarded at the same time in May upon graduation. 

Students may also elect to complete their Master's in Finance coursework in a fifth semester (with the option of completing a summer master's finance project), graduating with the both the MBA and MSF degrees in December.

The student must apply to and be admitted to both the MBA program and the MSF program.

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.

Summary

MBA Degree requirements: 50 units of course work

MSF Degree requirements: 36 (30 units of course work plus a 6-unit summer project; or 36 units of coursework).

However: 50% (18 units) of Finance course work can be counted toward the MBA

Therefore, to receive the dual degree, the following are required:

  • For the MBA degree – 
    • 32 units of course work taken from the MBA core
    • 18 units of Finance electives (not including FIN 510, but to include FIN 909 if Option 1 below is chosen) 

      50 units meets requirement for the MBA degree

  • For the MBA/MSF degree – In addition to the above, 
     

    18 units in Finance (not including FIN 510)

    Option 1:    12 units in Finance coursework (not including FIN510), plus

                        6 units of MSF Project coursework (FIN909)
     

    Option 2:    18 units in Finance coursework (not including FIN510) 
     

    68 total units

A summary page of the Dual MBA/MSF 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: FIN510A and FIN510B, Finance, do not count toward the MSF degree.

To be considered for a Dual MBA/MSF, you must:

  • Apply to the MSF program, preferably prior to Fall semester of your 2nd year in the MBA program.
     
  • Draft a Plan of Study outlining your coursework in three categories:
    MBA (32 units), dual MBA/MSF (18 units) and MSF (12 course units plus 6 project units, OR 18 course units).

The Plan of Study should outline your plans for completing 68 credit hours meeting the requirements above and should be submitted to Erin McGuinness, Director, Graduate Programs, Finance Department. It is strongly recommended that you complete this plan during your first semester in the MBA program to ensure that you meet the requirements of both degrees. However, it must be completed no later than early Spring semester prior to completing your MBA degree program.