Program: Finance MS - University at Buffalo

Apr 09, 2025

WORKING 2025-2026 Graduate Catalog

The Finance MS program is designed for students who wish to obtain a comprehensive graduate-level education in the field of finance. The MS in finance program provides two tracks of study - financial management and quantitative finance. In a volatile financial economy, employers seek future leaders like you, armed with the knowledge to make sound financial decisions. Accelerate your business career with a focused, graduate-level education where you’ll gain the strong analytical skills, academic training and practical tools that financial market employers are seeking in their ideal candidates.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLO):
           1) Students will develop knowledge of the policies, principles, and techniques involved in financial decisions.
           2) Apply an understanding of ethics and social responsibility
           3) Apply knowledge of financial concepts in new and unfamiliar circumstances.
           4) Improve overall presentation skills

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

1. Financial Knowledge

Students will develop knowledge of the policies, principles, and techniques involved in financial decisions.

2. Ethics

Apply an understanding of ethics and social responsibility.

3. Application of Financial Concepts

Apply knowledge of financial concepts in new and unfamiliar circumstances.

4. Presentation Skills

Improve overall presentation skills.

Financial Risk Management Track

Required Core (21 credits)

MGF 633LEC - Investment Management Credits: 3
MGF 635LEC - Financial Derivatives Credits: 3
MGF 638LEC - Fixed Income Securities Credits: 3
MGF 641LEC - Financial Policies and Strategies Credits: 3
MGF 661LEC - Mgmt of Fin Institutions Credits: 3
MGF 685LEC - International Finance Management Credits: 3
MGF 696LEC - Portfolio Theory and Strategy Credits: 3

Capstone: Project (3 credits)

Select 1 from:

MGF 644LAB - Supervised Research - Fixed Income Credits: 3
MGF 645LAB - Supervised Research - Equities Credits: 3

Electives (12 credits)

At least 2 must be STEM electives.

STEM Electives (6-12 credits)

Select a minimum of 2 from:

MGF 634LEC - Quantitative Methods in Finance Credits: 3
MGF 636LEC - Complex Financial Instruments Credits: 3
MGF 637LEC - Financial Modeling Credits: 3
MGF 639SEM - Security Trading Credits: 3
MGF 675LEC - Multinational Banking and Finance Credits: 3
MGF 687LEC - Financial Technology (FinTech) Lab Credits: 3
MGF 690SEM - Special Topics in Finance Credits: 1 - 6

Additional Electives (0-6 credits)

Select remaining elective credit from:

MGA 632LEC - Fin Statement Analysis Credits: 3
MGA 637LEC - Business Valuation for Accountants Credits: 3
MGE 602LEC - Global Economics Credits: 3
MGE 692SEM - Special Topics Credits: 3
MGF 620SEM - Sp Topics in Finance Credits: 1 - 6
MGF 647TUT - Supervised Research Credits: 1 - 6
MGF 648SEM - Finance Practicum Credits: 6
MGF 657LEC - Financial Innovation Credits: 3
MGF 658LEC - M&A Strategy/Financing Credits: 3
MGF 690SEM - Special Topics in Finance Credits: 1 - 6
MGG 611TUT - Management Topics: Experience the 50 Credits: 1 - 3

Total Credit Hours: 36

3.0 Degree GPA required

Financial Risk Management/Fintech Track

Required Core (21 credits)

MGF 633LEC - Investment Management Credits: 3
MGF 635LEC - Financial Derivatives Credits: 3
MGF 638LEC - Fixed Income Securities Credits: 3
MGF 641LEC - Financial Policies and Strategies Credits: 3
MGF 661LEC - Mgmt of Fin Institutions Credits: 3
MGF 685LEC - International Finance Management Credits: 3
MGF 696LEC - Portfolio Theory and Strategy Credits: 3

Capstone: Project (3 credits)

Select 1 from:

MGF 644LAB - Supervised Research - Fixed Income Credits: 3
MGF 645LAB - Supervised Research - Equities Credits: 3

Fintech Courses (6 credits)

MGS 613LEC - Database Mgmt Systems Credits: 3
MGS 614LEC - Systems Analysis & Design Credits: 3

Electives (6 credits)

Select 2 from:

MGF 650LEC - Comprehensive Financial Analys Credits: 3
MGF 651LEC - Experiential Projects in Finance Credits: 3
MGF 687LEC - Financial Technology (FinTech) Lab Credits: 3
MGS 602LEC - Global IT Infrastructure Mgmt Credits: 3
MGS 616LEC - Predictive Analytics Credits: 3
MGS 625LEC - Management of IT Projects Credits: 3
MGS 628LEC - Data Visualization for Business Insights Credits: 3
MGS 635LEC - Digital Product Management Credits: 3
MGS 639LEC - Cybersecurity, Privacy & Ethics Credits: 3
MGS 642LEC - IS Auditing for IT Managers Credits: 3
MGS 650LEC - Information Assurance Credits: 3
MGS 655LEC - Distributed Computing and Big Data Technologies Credits: 3
MGS 662LEC - Optimization Methods for Machine Learning Credits: 3

Total Credit Hours: 36

3.0 Degree GPA required

Quantitative Finance Track

Required courses (21 credits)

MGF 633LEC - Investment Management Credits: 3
MGF 634LEC - Quantitative Methods in Finance Credits: 3
MGF 635LEC - Financial Derivatives Credits: 3
MGF 636LEC - Complex Financial Instruments Credits: 3
MGF 637LEC - Financial Modeling Credits: 3
MGF 638LEC - Fixed Income Securities Credits: 3
MGF 696LEC - Portfolio Theory and Strategy Credits: 3

Capstone: Project (3 credits)

Select 1 from:

MGF 644LAB - Supervised Research - Fixed Income Credits: 3
MGF 645LAB - Supervised Research - Equities Credits: 3

Electives (12 credits)

Select 12 credits from:

MGA 632LEC - Fin Statement Analysis Credits: 3
MGA 637LEC - Business Valuation for Accountants Credits: 3
MGE 602LEC - Global Economics Credits: 3
MGF 620SEM - Sp Topics in Finance Credits: 1 - 6
MGF 639SEM - Security Trading Credits: 3
MGF 641LEC - Financial Policies and Strategies Credits: 3
MGF 648SEM - Finance Practicum Credits: 6
MGF 650LEC - Comprehensive Financial Analys Credits: 3
MGF 651LEC - Experiential Projects in Finance Credits: 3
MGF 657LEC - Financial Innovation Credits: 3
MGF 658LEC - M&A Strategy/Financing Credits: 3
MGF 661LEC - Mgmt of Fin Institutions Credits: 3
MGF 675LEC - Multinational Banking and Finance Credits: 3
MGF 685LEC - International Finance Management Credits: 3
MGF 687LEC - Financial Technology (FinTech) Lab Credits: 3
MGF 690SEM - Special Topics in Finance Credits: 1 - 6
MGG 605SEM - Social Innovation & Entrepreneurial Leadership in Africa Credits: 3
MGG 606SEM - Social Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership in Latin America Credits: 2 - 3
MGG 611TUT - Management Topics: Experience the 50 Credits: 1 - 3

Total Credit Hours: 36

3.0 Degree GPA required

Quantitative Finance/Fintech Track

Required Core (21 credits)

MGF 633LEC - Investment Management Credits: 3
MGF 634LEC - Quantitative Methods in Finance Credits: 3
MGF 635LEC - Financial Derivatives Credits: 3
MGF 636LEC - Complex Financial Instruments Credits: 3
MGF 637LEC - Financial Modeling Credits: 3
MGF 638LEC - Fixed Income Securities Credits: 3
MGF 696LEC - Portfolio Theory and Strategy Credits: 3

Capstone: Project (3 credits)

Select 1 from:

MGF 644LAB - Supervised Research - Fixed Income Credits: 3
MGF 645LAB - Supervised Research - Equities Credits: 3

Fintech Courses (6 credits)

MGS 613LEC - Database Mgmt Systems Credits: 3
MGS 614LEC - Systems Analysis & Design Credits: 3

Electives (6 credits)

Select 2 from:

MGF 687LEC - Financial Technology (FinTech) Lab Credits: 3
MGS 602LEC - Global IT Infrastructure Mgmt Credits: 3
MGS 616LEC - Predictive Analytics Credits: 3
MGS 625LEC - Management of IT Projects Credits: 3
MGS 628LEC - Data Visualization for Business Insights Credits: 3
MGS 635LEC - Digital Product Management Credits: 3
MGS 639LEC - Cybersecurity, Privacy & Ethics Credits: 3
MGS 642LEC - IS Auditing for IT Managers Credits: 3
MGS 650LEC - Information Assurance Credits: 3
MGS 655LEC - Distributed Computing and Big Data Technologies Credits: 3
MGS 662LEC - Optimization Methods for Machine Learning Credits: 3

Total Credit Hours: 36

3.0 Degree GPA required

Instruction Method

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

Full Time

Credits Required

36 Hours

Time-To-Degree

1.5 Years

Application Fee

$100

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

Online programs/courses may require students to come to campus on occasion. Time-to-degree and number of credit hours may vary based on full/part time status, degree, track and/or certification option chosen. Time-to-degree is based on calendar year(s). Contact the department for details.