Specialized business master’s degrees in the fields of finance and accounting have been on the rise in recent years and there’s no evidence for slowing down demand in the near future. If you’re looking to advance your position in your current financial sector job or plan to transition into a finance career, a Master of Science in Finance will provide the necessary skills and in-depth knowledge of applied finance you will need.
Included in the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program.
Ranked by U.S. News & World Report, 2023.
Business school in Wisconsin.
Courses in the Online Master of Science in Finance emphasize quantitative financial analysis, investments and portfolio management, derivatives, corporate finance, capital budgeting, business valuation, financial markets, multinational finance, security valuation, investment banking, and alternative investments.
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.
The Master of Science in Finance curriculum has been designed to prepare you for success as a student in the program and your subsequent career.
To earn the UW-Whitewater Online MS in Finance, you must:
More information on the program structure and courses can be viewed in the Graduate Catalog.
To ensure a high quality graduate student group, all MS in Finance students must have a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution and meet graduate admission criteria, in addition to one of the MS in Finance admission criteria provided below. Many applicants will qualify for admission without GMAT/GRE scores.
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
Education
Work Experience
GMAT Scores*
*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.
A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for financial analysts, personal financial advisers, loan officers and other positions; however, there is a graduate degree wage premium.
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 2018 median pay of $85,660 per year and expected faster than average occupational growth rate (2016-2026), while financial managers earned a 2018 median pay of $127,990 per year and expected a much faster than average occupational growth rate (2016-2026).
1Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce Analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, 2009 - 2013
2Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Online business graduate programs at UW-Whitewater are a superior value at $678 USD per credit for the 2023-24 academic year — whether you are a Wisconsin resident, an out-of-state student, or an international student.
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?
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.
Designed to put you in control of your educational path, graduate certificates in Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater get you into the virtual classroom quickly and on your schedule.
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.
Dive into a high-demand field with the Corporate Finance graduate certificate. Corporate finance is one of the most prominent focal areas within the discipline of finance.
Gain the knowledge and advanced skills needed to boost your career with an Investment Analysis graduate certificate. Qualified analysts guide companies in valuing financial assets, assessing risk and designing risk management strategies.