Master's in Finance Online MS Degree

Gain a broader advanced education in the way money and accounting affect businesses by earning your Master of Science in Finance with a concentration in Corporate Finance.

This online degree program expands the career opportunities available to you. You'll position yourself to become a CFO, corporate treasurer, controller, director of finance, financial analyst, credit manager or cash manager. The corporate finance-focused curriculum will enhance your understanding of liquidity analysis, payment systems, cash forecasting, quantitative risk assessment and more.

The corporate finance concentration focuses on today’s corporate environment and how theory, strategy and financing approaches are employed to make decisions in a complex and ever-changing environment.

Successful graduates of this program should be able to analyze capital structure, capital budgeting and financial policy – and apply theory, strategies and long-term finance approaches to various decision-making situations.

Career outlook:

The globalization of companies, tighter financial markets and regulatory changes are increasing the demand for business professionals with financial expertise. Those with experience in accounting and finance, and especially professionals with a master's in finance or corporate finance, may encounter the most success in securing corporate finance jobs.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, personal financial advising jobs are projected to grow 7% through 2028.² Employment of financial analysts is expected to rise by 6% and financial managers by 16% in that same time period.² Positions in finance will continue to grow for those with a master's degree, both inside and outside of the finance industry.

Courses may include:

• Creating Value: Merger/Acquisition
• Long-Term Financing & Capital Structure Theory
• Short-Term Financial Management

Enhance your professional skill set with a broad range of invaluable analytical and technical skills when you earn an online Master of Science in Finance with a concentration in Investments. You'll gain a greater understanding of how to analyze assets, debt and equity, securities, investment strategies, portfolios and other financial instruments, as well as fiscal and monetary policies and procedures. With this specialized knowledge, you'll be well poised to seek an advanced career in the securities industry.

SNHU instructors are finance professionals, so you’ll be learning from people with high levels of financial experience who can teach you the ins, outs and best methods for analyzing, reporting and presenting financial data for any senior financial job function.

As an SNHU student, you'll have access to internship and networking opportunities through our extensive alumni network.

Successful graduates of the program should be able to analyze equity and alternative investments using quantitative techniques and financial theories in relation to portfolio management.

Career outlook:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, investments and securities careers show positive signs of growth in the coming years. Sparked by an increase in global investments in securities and commodities, along with a growing demand for investment advice, the BLS projects that employment in the securities, commodities and financial services industry will increase 4% by 2028.²

By earning an online MS in finance and investments from Southern New Hampshire University, you can increase your leverage when competing for top jobs. A master's, combined with the appropriate licensing, will position you for a career as a broker, investment banker, trader and financial services sales agent.

Courses may include:

• Analytical Tools in Portfolio Management
• International Investments/Portfolio Management
• Option Analysis & Financial Derivatives

Flexible
With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.

Affordable

Take advantage of some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation, plus financial aid for those who qualify. We also make it easy to transfer to SNHU by accepting up to 12 graduate credits from your previous institution.

Respected

Founded in 1932, SNHU is a private, nonprofit institution with over 100,000 graduates across the country. Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) — which means our 200+ associate, bachelor's and master's programs meet high academic standards. In addition, many bachelor's degree programs also carry specialized programmatic accreditation. For example, SNHU's business programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

To be regionally accredited, one of 7 regional accreditation organizations recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) has determined that the university meets its high academic standards and expectations. Most nonprofit institutions are regionally accredited.

In addition, Southern New Hampshire University has been nationally recognized for its efforts to lead the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:

• “Most Innovative” regional university honors from U.S. News & World Report each year since 2015
• A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
• Recognition as a 2017 Digital Learning Innovator by the Online Learning Consortium

Network

At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 200,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate your industry. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.

See why 96% of students would recommend SNHU.*

Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 5 graduate terms. You can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials. To apply, simply contact an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options. Your counselor can also walk you through the application process, which involves completing a graduate application ($40 fee) and providing undergraduate transcripts.

Simply contact an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options, answer all your questions, and walk you through the application process, which includes:

• Completing a graduate application
• Providing undergraduate transcripts

Studying finance will give you a strong foundation in banking, economics and financial markets. Degree concentrations in finance dive deeper into corporate finance, private equity, venture capital, financial planning and risk management. You’ll explore global financial markets, how they function and fluctuate, and how to wisely and effectively manage and mitigate the risks inherent in investing.

You’ll also learn communications, quantitative analysis and industry best practices – all valuable skills for future businesspeople. The best finance professionals have in-depth knowledge of the stock market and other types of investments and know how to interpret mathematical and statistical data.

From family-run local businesses to multinational corporations, nearly every type of business needs financial analysts and managers in order to operate effectively. Regular demand and a wide range of career options make finance an excellent choice for anyone looking for a smart educational investment. The BLS projects employment in business and financial jobs to grow by 7% through 2028, or roughly 592,000 new jobs.²

An advanced degree in finance can open up a wide range of opportunities. You can pursue a traditional career path in banking, asset management, insurance, venture capital or private equity. Alternatively, you might consider a nontraditional career path as an educator.

Along with professional experience, most upper-management positions in finance require an advanced degree or certification, such as the Chartered Financial Analyst^® (CFA) credential.

• Financial and research analysts and similar roles – budget, research, risk and investment analysts among them – require an advanced degree in finance and gain an edge with a CFA.
• Financial advisors and private wealth managers will have an added advantage in the job market by earning or working toward a finance certification such as the Certified Financial Planner™ credential.
• Corporate financial managers typically have "five years or more of experience in another business or financial occupation, such as an accountant, auditor, securities sales agent, or financial analyst," according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.²

In addition, those with financial expertise may want to consider self-employment.

"A finance degree has long been recognized as one of the top degrees when owning a small business," said Dr. Zuzana Buzzell, associate dean of business at SNHU. "Understanding the financial aspects of a small business operations and smart budgeting is a key to long-term success of small business owners."

In the most recent data available, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shared that personal financial advisors were projected to have an above-average rate of self-employment – at over 23% through 2026.²

A finance degree can open doors to many careers in business. Just ask Nathan Yates ’14. Armed with his master's in finance, this self-made leader left a position with a Chicago-based equity research firm in 2014 to look for a new job. Driven by the entrepreneurial itch and a vision that online learning could help growing businesses solve problems and improve workflows, he launched a venture called the Forward View.

A year later, after growing the Forward View team with specialties and skills he didn't have, Yates took a new approach. He wanted another financial analyst by his side, so he hired a former SNHU classmate with a bachelor's in finance.

Each subsequent hire has had a strong background in finance and economics, and Yates has since launched the Sporting Goods Monitor, a game-changing service that provides unique coverage and forecasts for the sporting retail industry.

In October 2014, Yates once again tapped into his network and became an adjunct finance instructor at SNHU. By the following September, he accepted the role of finance and economics team lead. Today, he continues to inspire students looking to maximize the value of a finance degree.

There is a myriad of opportunities for finance majors on the corporate side, from local firms to global conglomerates. Entry-level finance positions generally conduct research and present their findings to their financial managers, who in turn help organizations or industries meet their financial goals, according to BLS.²

If you aspire to become a CFO, corporate treasurer, controller, director of finance or related position, an MS in Finance with a concentration in Corporate Finance can help expand your career opportunities. This program’s focus on corporate finance digs into topics such as liquidity analysis, budgeting, comprehensive risk assessment and ethical considerations for corporations.

If you’re not sure which type of finance job is right for you, seek out corporations that offer rotational programs to new employees. Programs like these let you experience different areas of the business so you can find your best fit and may even lead to opportunities to specialize.

A master’s in finance is not the same as an MBA. Both accomplishments can help you reach your career goals, but a master's in finance allows you to develop a more specific skill set.

With a focus in math, markets and financial reporting and analysis, an MS in Finance sets you up for advancement in more specialized roles, like those in investments, trading and risk management.

An MBA is more broad, and it's accepted across a variety of professions. You'll also cover many business topics, like operations management, marketing, social responsibility and, yes, finance. SNHU offers 20 career-focused concentrations in the online MBA program – including an MBA in Finance.

Whether you pursue a master's degree in finance or an MBA, you’ll be well-positioned for career advancement: The latest Year-End Poll of Employers Report by the Graduate Management Admissions Council notes that 83% of surveyed companies planned to hire graduates with either an MBA or a non-MBA master's degree.³