670+
Avg. GMAT
NA
Work Experience
$83K
Avg. Cost of Study
9-18
Months DurationÂ
$74.5K
Avg. Salary
Introduction to SMU(Cox) MSc in Finance
With an MS in Finance from SMU Cox, you’ll be ready to push ahead in a finance career whether or not you have a undergraduate business degree. This STEM-designated program — a hot ticket for employers — covers everything from financial accounting and statistics to international markets and monetary policy.
Get real-world experience in our simulated trading center, complete with Bloomberg terminals, and make professional connections that will last a lifetime. At Cox, you’ll study with professors who don’t just teach — they’re driving the Dallas business boom.
Why Study SMU(Cox) MSc in Finance?
91
QS Ranking
A Cox School MSF goes beyond the financial basics. Through this unique curriculum, you’ll gain an edge in the marketplace by developing knowledge and skills in four areas of competency:
- Alternative assets (a specialized course in hedge funds is also available).
- Energy finance (you can add courses in energy risk management and energy project management).
- Real-time markets and trading.
- Investment portfolios.
Along with rigorous classroom learning that includes MBA-level courses, you’ll also gain real-world skills through hands-on experiences. And if you’re planning to sit for the CFA Level 1, our CFA review course will prepare you.
Program Costs + Living Expenses: SMU(Cox) MSc in Finance
$54,382
Avg. Cost of Tuition
+Â
$29,269
Avg. Living Cost
Avg. Cost of Study
A graduate management education is one of the most important investments you’ll ever make, and it’s likely to produce one of your biggest ROIs — you won’t just boost your career and earning potential, but you’ll reap personal gains, too. If you need additional funding, you’ll find that a variety of loan and private scholarship opportunities are available.  Estimated Annual Tuition & Fees: Â
 Estimated Living Expenses*:
*This estimated total is based on a 9-month school year for the 2023-24 academic year. The cost may be more or less depending on the student’s lifestyle, whether the student lives on-campus or off-campus and whether any family members accompany the student. |
Employment Prospects: SMU(Cox) MSc in Finance
  Most Sought-after Jobs
Investment Banking Analyst
Private Equity Associate
Hedge Fund Analyst
Corporate Finance Analyst
Financial Analyst
Portfolio Manager
Risk Analyst
Investment Research Analyst
The career services seminar has sessions throughout the MSF program, beginning with an orientation to career development in finance. It contains a wide range of activities from resume writing to interview skills to positioning for CFA, CFP and licensing certifications. MSF students, have access to an active board of job postings from investment banks, financial institutions and multinational companies. SMU hosts an annual career fair, held every spring, which brings to campus many employers eager to meet graduating students from all of our programs.
Recent Hiring Companies
MSF students were recently hired by the following companies:
- AEW Capital Management
- American Airlines
- Anadarko Petroleum
- AustinCSI*
- Bessemer Trust
- Bloomberg
- Capital One
- Challenger Group
- Comerica
- Deloitte
- Deutsche Bank*
- Federal Reserve Bank
- FedEx
- Goldman Sachs
- Graycourt Capital*
- Guotai Junan
- Injury Management Organization*
- Interstate Batteries
- JP Morgan
- Kaufman Rossin
- Liberty Mutual
- Match Point (2)*
- PwC (2)
- Regions Bank
- Sabre Holdings
- Southwest Bank
- Steria Consulting
- Stout Risius Ross
- VMG Health
- Vobile
Application Requirement for SMU(Cox) MSc in Finance
Application Requirements for ALL Applicants
- Submit online application
- Resume and Essays – uploaded in the online application (questions are available after creating and logging in to your online application and selecting MS in Finance as the program applying to)
- GMAT or GRE score report (from exam taken within the last five years) – Application can be reviewed with unofficial score report uploaded online. Official score report should be submitted after a student is offered admission (SMU Cox GMAT school code: HWG-KN-59 and GRE school code: 6660). For 2023 entry terms, SMU Cox will continue a test-optional policy for all MBA and Specialized Masters programs. For the benefits of taking a test, click here to learn more.
- Transcripts –Â Application can be reviewed with unofficial transcripts or degree progress reports showing cumulative GPA and grades for each course taken;Â Official transcripts are REQUIRED after a student is offered admission.
- Transfer Transcripts – We require transcripts from any university/college at which the student earned 12 or more credit hours; Unofficial copies can be uploaded online; Official transfer transcripts are REQUIREDÂ after a student is offered admission.
- Two references (name &Â contact information only – recommendation letters NOTÂ required)
- You may submit the online application prior to completing the required exams, but your application will not be reviewed until all materials are received
Application Requirements for International Students
- Students applying to the Fall 2023 entry term have the option as to whether to submit a TOEFL/IELTS score as part of their application. For applicants without a test score, we assess your application based on a holistic review process that considers all your application components.
- All applicants whose native language is not English may submit either a TOEFL or IELTS Score Report. Test scores are valid for up to two years (from test date to date of application). SMU Cox TOEFL institution code: 6660.Â
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Scholarships Available: SMU(Cox) MSc in Finance
A graduate management education is one of the most important investments you’ll ever make, and it’s likely to produce one of your biggest ROIs — you won’t just boost your career and earning potential, but you’ll reap personal gains, too. If you need additional funding, you’ll find that a variety of loan and private scholarship opportunities are available.
Merit-Based Scholarship Opportunities
The Cox MSF program has a limited number of merit-based scholarships available. All candidates are automatically considered for these scholarships, and are not required to submit a separate application. These scholarships are based on academic performance and GMAT/GRE scores. Typical scholarship amounts are $5,000 per student.
Curriculum Offered
Term 1 – Fall Credit Hours (16 credits)
Fall Module A Courses
MAST 6201Â Managerial Statistics
FINA 6205Â Finance Theory and Practice
FINA 6216Â Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing
MNGT 6004Â Managing Your Career (0 credit)Â
Elective
Fall Module B CoursesÂ
FINA 6211Â Valuation and Analysis (2)
FINA 6219Â Derivatives (2)
FINA 6238Â Financial Modeling (2)
Elective
Term 2 – Spring Credit Hours (16 credits)
Spring Module A Courses (4 total)
FINA 6218Â Fixed Income Securities (2)
FINA 6226Â Quantitative Trading Strategies (2)Â
Elective
Elective
Spring Module B Courses (4 total)
FINA 6212Â Corporate Financial Policies (2)
FINA 6214Â International Finance (2)
FINA 6222Â Financial Markets and Monetary Policy (2)Â
Elective
Credit Hours Summary for M.S.F. Program
- 4 credit hours of required accounting courses
- Students needs to take at least 2 accounting courses
- 2 credit hours of Statistics – MAST 6201 is a required course worth 2Â credits
- 20 credit hours of required finance courses
- 4 or 6 credit hours of electives depending on number of finance courses
- 32 credit hours total for Cox M.S.F. degree
FAQs about MSc in Finance
What are my chances of being admitted?
The admissions committee considers a variety of factors when making admissions decisions, including:
Academic performance (GPA, test scores)
Work experience
Essays
Letters of recommendation
Overall fit with the program
What is the teaching style in the MSF program?
The MSF program uses a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, case studies, group projects, and guest speakers. The program is designed to be interactive and engaging, and students are encouraged to participate actively in class.
What are the job placement rates for MSF graduates?
The job placement rate for SMU(Cox) MSF graduates is very high. Recent graduates have been hired by top companies in a variety of industries, including:
Investment banking
Commercial banking
Private equity
Venture capital
Hedge funds
Financial technology
Real estate
Who is this program for?
The MSF program is designed for individuals who want to advance their careers in finance. This includes:
Recent college graduates with a non-business background who want to enter the finance industry.
Experienced professionals who want to update their skills and knowledge or transition to a new area of finance.
Entrepreneurs who want to gain a deeper understanding of finance to manage their businesses more effectively.
I am currently enrolled in a Master's degree program or a combined Bachelor’s/Master's program. Am I eligible to apply for an MS degree in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford?
Students who are already enrolled in a program leading to a Master’s degree or an equivalent international advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline are not eligible for admission to Stanford’s MS program in Mechanical Engineering.
