Yazan Almufti
B.S. in Computer Science
Emphasis in Information Management
"Webster University taught me open mindedness through its multicultural environment. "
The master of science (M.S.) in finance is designed to provide a quantitative and comprehensive examination of the finance field. Students will advance through corporate finance, investments, and market instruments and institutions. Additionally, students will experience significant exposure to supporting coursework in the closely related fields of accounting and economics.
A capstone experience will tie together the major finance topics and expose students to literature, and the analysis thereof, pertinent to the field. After a comprehensive examination of the field, students may choose their electives to satisfy their specific career goals.
Students desiring to take advanced certification, such as the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) or CFP (Certified Financial Planner), will want to take advanced courses in Investments and Portfolio Management, while students interested in pursuing careers in other fields may want to take Entrepreneurial Finance, Capital Budgeting, International Finance, or similar advanced topics offered by the School of Business.
The M.S. in finance requires successful completion of 36 credit hours including 27 required credit hours and 9 credit hours of electives. The following courses are required for the M.S. in finance:
The course provides the consumer of macroeconomic news a conceptual foundation in macroeconomic theory. The goal is to prepare the manager/analyst to consume macroeconomic news and analysis and to draw independent conclusions. Prerequisite: BUSN 5620.
The student examines advanced topics in management accounting as these relate to management information needs for planning, control, and decision making. Topics include interpretation of standard cost variances application of quantitative techniques evaluation of divisional performance activity-based costing and the behavioral impact of accounting systems. Prerequisites: BUSN 5600 and BUSN 5760.
The student examines the general nature of financial management, the American financial system, taxes, and the major financial decisions of corporations. Specific attention is given to present value and capital budgeting risk and asset pricing financial analysis and forecasting financial decisions and market efficiency and capital structure. Problem-solving methodology is used to illustrate the theories and tools in financial decision-making. Prerequisites: BUSN 5600 and BUSN 5760. (BUSN 5200 cannot be substituted for FINC 5000.)
Principles and methods of investing in securities of business and government. This course is a study of practical management of portfolios containing both fixed-income and equity investments. The course will examine the issues in and the procedures for security analysis and portfolio management. The emphasis is on the application of analytical techniques and portfolio management theories for individual investors. Prerequisite: FINC 5000.
Students develop a unified framework for understanding financial intermediaries and markets. They examine the structure, regulation, and operation of banking and non-banking financial institutions; analyze how central bank operations affect financial institutions; and develop an understanding of money and capital markets, the flow of funds through the economy, and the role of financial and futures markets. Prerequisite: FINC 5000.
This course shows how financial managers can use capital markets technology and explores how derivatives can be used to manage financial risks and position firms to exploit strategic opportunities, reduce financing costs, and structure incentives. Students learn the mechanics of options, forwards, futures, and swaps, and study uses of these instruments. Prerequisites: FINC 5210, FINC 5880, and BUSN 5760 or equivalent.
This advanced study of corporate financial analysis and planning includes capital budgeting, cost of funds, and capital structure and valuation. Selected topics that may be covered are leasing, mergers, takeovers, business failure, reorganization, and liquidation. A combination of problem-solving and case study methodologies is used to illustrate theories and techniques helpful in financial analysis and planning. Prerequisite: FINC 5000.
Interpretation, analysis, and evaluation of financial reports from viewpoints of creditors, owners, investment firms, and others concerned with business strengths or weaknesses. The impact of general business and specific industry situations, behavior of financial markets, credit or lending criteria, and equity investment standards as related to financial statements to determine present and future financial condition are covered. Prerequisites: FINC 5000 and BUSN 5600 or equivalent.
This course will be a final, comprehensive finance offering that will make use of cases and/or simulations to enhance the real-world applicability of the finance degree and to integrate all previous coursework. Prerequisite: completion of all other required courses for the M.S. in finance.
Students examine the accounting function and its role in modern business. Basic accounting theory and principles are examined, and some of the more important contemporary accounting developments are reviewed. Case studies are analyzed with an emphasis on situations from the students' own work experiences. This course is designed for consumers as opposed to producers of accounting.
Implications of current economic events are examined through the applications of economic theory. Emphasis is placed on acquainting the student with methods of economic analysis in the context of current economic issues.
The student examines the application of statistical analysis, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis in business decision making. The course should focus on the utilization of statistical methods as applied to business problems and operations.
Note: Program prerequisites are to be completed before beginning coursework for the M.S. in finance for those students who have not completed prerequisite courses (or an appropriate equivalent) within five years of entering the program and having earned a grade of B or better. If the appropriate prerequisite course content was completed longer than five years prior to entering the program, the department will allow a waiver if the student demonstrates their command of the content area by successfully completing a waiver examination. Prerequisite courses may not count as electives in the 36-credit-hour M.S. in finance.
Program requirements may differ based upon the enrollment year. Please speak with an academic advisor for specific requirements.
