Master of Finance
Improve your skills and position yourself for success. Every business has a bottom line. That means finance skills are in high demand. Our master of finance program will prepare you for a career in corporate finance, financial analysis, or wealth management.
This 30-credit, full-time program is designed to meet the needs of recent undergraduates and experienced professionals.
MFIN program features
- State-of-the-art facilities including all major accounting and financial databases and over a dozen Bloomberg data terminals.
- Small classes, allowing you to engage with classmates and internationally known faculty.
- Outstanding career services to help you plan and execute your next move.
- Double degree option with the Ivy MBA.
- Add-on graduate certificates in other business disciplines.
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) designation for international students.
- Scholarships and assistantships.
- CFA Institute– affiliated program.
I’m always eager to learn new things and embark on new experiences. The MFIN program offers a whole new set of skills that have made me more marketable and will benefit my future career and my personal finances.
Wendy Borja-Diaz (’19 master of accounting)
MFIN program details
Admission and fees
Admission and fees
Apply to the MFIN program
The MFIN program admits students year-round.
Application requirements
- Resume.
- Official college transcripts.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- One essay.
- TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English score for non-native English speakers.
Please note: Graduate students whose native language is not English and who do not have a degree from Iowa State University, must take the English Placement Test at the beginning for their first semester of enrollment. The test is administered by the Department of English. It must be taken in addition to the Test of English as a Foreign Language), which is taken as a part of the admissions process. A student who does not pass this examination is required to take specific courses in the English 99/101 series. This coursework must be completed no later than the semester BEFORE you graduate.
Application deadline
Admission materials submitted by:
Fall semester: June 15
Spring semester: November 15
Summer semester: March 15 (Domestic students only)
GMAT/GRE
Not required
Format and length
In-person, 30 credits, 2-3 semesters
Location
Ames, Iowa
Program tuition and fees*
Iowa residents: $818/credit hour + fees
Non-residents: $1,825/credit hour + fees
International students: $1,931/credit hour + fees
*Tuition and fee rates are subject to change
Cost of attendance – click here to review a general estimate. This is a university page.
Curriculum
Curriculum
This 10-course program provides a strong foundation in the primary functional areas of finance — corporate, investments, derivatives, and risk management. The courses can be completed comfortably in one year.
The core curriculum focuses on a range of advanced skills and analytical tools for sound financial decision making including:
- Corporate finance.
- Investments.
- Financial analysis and valuation.
- Financial derivatives.
- Financial econometrics.
Electives offer a more customized experience and give students the opportunity to delve into personal interests like real estate finance and private equity management. Students may also explore elective options from economics or statistics as well as business disciplines like accounting or information systems.
Our state-of-the-art facility provides students with hands-on experience through over a dozen Bloomberg data terminals — the industry standard. Small classes allow ample interaction with internationally known faculty who are engaged in cutting-edge research.
In addition, the master of finance program is STEM designated, which allows international students the opportunity to extend their Optional Practical Training (OPT) work permit for up to 36 months after graduation.
You can also step up your finance game by adding an MBA with our double degree option. Scholarships and assistantships are also available.
For more information, contact an advisor at busgrad@iastate.edu.
Graduate certificates
Graduate certificates
The Ivy College of Business currently has six graduate certificate programs. Each certificate requires 12-15 credits — some of which may apply to your MFIN degree. See your advisor for more information, or email busgrad@iastate.edu.
Concurrent degree options
Concurrent degree options
Concurrent students are those that are earning their undergraduate and graduate degrees at the same time. At the Ivy College of Business you can earn your master’s of finance (MFIN) at the same time you earn your bachelor’s degree in finance (FIN).
Double degree options
Double degree options
Managers need to understand the complexities of today’s global financial environment. Many companies seek professionals who possess both a broad understanding of business operations and an in-depth understanding of financial markets. Having the skills to analyze financial data leads to more effective decision-making.
The MBA/MFIN double degree is a 60-credit-hour program that takes approximately two academic years to complete. The curriculum fulfills the separate degree requirements of both the MBA and MFIN programs. Only fall semester entry will be considered for this double degree. Check out this sample MBA/MFIN program guide.
Similar to the MBA/MFIN program, the MFIN/MRED double degree is a 54-credit-hour program that takes approximately two academic years to complete. The curriculum fulfills the separate degree requirements of both the master of real estate development and master of finance programs. Fall, spring, and summer semester entries will be considered for this double degree. Check out this sample MFIN/MRED program guide.
For more information, contact an advisor at busgrad@iastate.edu.
Scholarships and assistantships
Scholarships and assistantships
There are a limited number of quarter-time assistantships available for qualified MFIN students. Anyone awarded an assistantship will be classified as an in-state student and will be given a 25 percent tuition scholarship. In addition, students on assistantship qualify for paid health insurance and a 10 hour per week stipend. Assistantships are renewable for the next semester provided students meet the academic and performance requirements. Any student may apply for an assistantship when applying for the program.
The $5,000 Heartland Scholarship is for Iowa residents only. The scholarship covers approximately one semester of tuition. The purpose of the scholarship is to promote the value of graduate business degrees among Iowa residents.
For more information, contact an advisor at busgrad@iastate.edu.
International students
International students
Important information for international students
Three-year degrees may be accepted if a WES or ECE transcript evaluation deems your degree equivalent to a U.S. four-year degree.
Otherwise, Iowa State University’s Graduate College does not accept three-year degrees from India, Bangladesh, Canada (excluding Quebec), Nepal, and Pakistan. Degrees from these countries are internally reviewed individually if submitted directly to Iowa State.
Additionally, Iowa State University’s Graduate College does not accept HNDs (Higher National Diplomas) without a top-up degree. It is acceptable if your WES or ECE course-by-course evaluation determines your three-year degree equivalent to a U.S. four-year degree.
For questions regarding internal reviews and top-up degrees, please contact gradhelp@iastate.edu.
Helpful information
ISSO: https://isso.dso.iastate.edu/
Admissions information for international students: https://www.iastate.edu/admission-and-aid/admissions/graduate-students/graduate-app-info
English requirements: https://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/prospective/english-requirements/
Take the next step
Customized career advice
Whether you’re angling for a promotion or you want to polish your resume, the Graduate Career Services team offers each student personalized, custom advice and services for your climb up the corporate ladder.
Connect with us
Graduate Student Services
1420 Gerdin Business Building
2167 Union Drive
Ames, Iowa 50011
busgrad@iastate.edu
515-294-8118
Questions?
Send us an email: busgrad@iastate.edu or call 515-294-8118.