Online Master of Science in Finance

If you do not have prior education or experience in finance, additional foundation courses can prepare you to succeed in the MS in Finance program.

CFA alignment

The CFA® Institute is internationally recognized as promoting the highest standards of ethics, education and professional excellence, and our MS in Finance has been recognized as a CFA Institute University Affiliation Program. This distinction signals that the program meets specific curriculum standards that are grounded in professional practice. Completing the degree program also helps position students to sit for CFA exams and ultimately obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.

Ideal for working professionals

The MS in Finance program, which has been designed to be completed in about two years, requires 30 credits of comprehensive coursework and completion of an exam.

• Complete the 30-credit course requirements.
• Pass the comprehensive examination.
• Maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to graduate.
• Complete Common Body of Knowledge courses, as required (see below).
  • Candidates with an undergraduate degree in business may not need to complete, or requirements may be very limited.
  • Requirements (0-4 credits) are determined based on transcript review.

More information on the program structure and courses can be viewed in the Graduate Catalog. 

Our interactive evaluation form can help you review the admission requirements and the documentation needed for official admission review.

If you do not meet the graduate admission criteria, please email us to determine if you could be admitted on a conditional basis.

International students must meet additional criteria and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Contact us for information and assistance.

Finance admission criteria

Applicants must satisfy any one of the criteria from any of the four categories.

Military Service

• Qualified veteran or currently active military personnel

Education

• AACSB- or ABET-accredited bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher
• Regionally-accredited bachelor's degree with a 3.25 GPA or higher
• Graduate degree from a regionally-accredited or equivalent institution
• UW-Whitewater graduate business certificate

Work Experience

• Four or more years of professional work experience
• Two or more years of professional work experience with a 3.0 GPA
• Approved professional certification

GMAT Scores*

• A composite score of at least 1,100 based on the following formula
  • (GMAT score) + [200 x (overall undergraduate GPA based on a 4-point scale)]
• A composite score of at least 1,150 based on the following formula
  • (GMAT score) + [200 x (last half of undergraduate GPA based on a 4-point scale)]
• A composite score of 950 - 1,100 for consideration of conditional admission based on the following formula
  • (GMAT score) + [200 x (overall undergraduate GPA based on a 4-point scale)]

*GRE scores are converted to comparable GMAT scores

Students enrolling in the program are also expected to have existing knowledge in financial accounting, economics, and corporate finance. Students who do not meet basic requirements can take prerequisite courses before starting the graduate coursework.

In one research study, financial professionals with master's degrees reported earning 38% ($28,000) more than those with just bachelor's degrees.¹ 

Furthermore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics² shows that positions in the financial industry have both strong wage rates and occupational outlooks. Financial analysts earned a 2022 median pay of $96,220 per year and expected an employment growth of 8% by 2032, while financial managers earned a 2022 median pay of $139,790 per year and expected an employment growth of 16% by 2032.

 ¹Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce Analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, 2009 - 2013
 ²Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022

If you compare our graduate tuition to other AACSB-accredited business schools who offer online classes, you will find that this per-credit price is quite reasonable.

What creates this value?

• Full-time faculty with doctoral degrees teach all classes.
• All faculty complete specific training for online teaching.
• Faculty lectures are recorded in a state-of-the-art media studio and included with each course.
• An external team reviews online courses.
• High levels of student/faculty interaction are standard.
• Helpdesk technical staff are dedicated to assisting master's students with online technology.

Course materials
Graduate students can purchase textbooks and other instructional materials through the University Bookstore or elsewhere online. Students should verify what materials are needed with their instructor.

Financial aid
UW-Whitewater students may apply for financial aid in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, or employment. All of these make up a “Financial Aid Package” and may be offered singly or in various combinations. Since funds are limited, priority for aid is based on financial need and how promptly applications are filed.

Within the field of finance are two prominent focal areas: investment analysis and corporate finance. The M.S. in Finance curriculum is also delivered through two 15-credit certificates focusing on these subjects. Students who do not want to earn the M.S. in Finance degree can earn one, or both, of the finance certificates.