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M.S. in Finance Curriculum

Sy Syms School of Business

Master the skills top employers seek with a CFA-aligned curriculum blending financial theory and real-world application 鈥 10 courses, on campus in New York City, completed in just 15 months.

Semester 1

  • Introduction to Finance
  • Statistics and Data Analysis
  • Financial Reporting

Semester 2 

  • Corporate Finance     
  • Investments   

Semester 3      

  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Independent Study  
  • Microeconomics   

Semester 4

  • Professional Seminar     

Course Descriptions 鈥 Required

This course introduces the core principles and analytical tools of modern financial management. Students examine financial statements, capital structure, valuation methods, and the relationship between risk and return. Emphasis is placed on practical application through case studies and data-driven analysis to support informed decision-making in corporate and investment contexts.

Rationale: This course provides a critical foundation for understanding how financial systems operate, how value is determined, and how informed decisions are made in uncertain and dynamic environments.

Industry Example: If a tech startup is considering whether or not to invest in developing a new AI product, it will use principles such as Net Present Value (NPV) and discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis to help the team project future cash flows, adjusts for risk and determine whether the investment will add value to the firm.

This course develops students' ability to analyze strategic and operational problems using quantitative techniques. Topics include linear programming, decision tree analysis, queuing theory, and simulation methods. The course emphasizes translating analytical results into effective managerial decisions within financial and economic contexts.

Rationale: This course prepares students to analyze both operational and strategic business challenges using data-driven methods. You鈥檒l learn to apply quantitative tools鈥攕uch as linear programming, decision trees, and simulation models鈥攖o evaluate options, make sound choices, and improve organizational efficiency. The focus is on using numbers and models to support clear thinking and confident decision-making, while connecting these techniques to real financial and economic outcomes.

Industry Example: You鈥檙e working for a financial services firm and your team must decide how to allocate limited resources across competing investment opportunities. You can use the decision-making frameworks from this course to identify the option that provides the best balance between risk, cost, and return. In short, this course helps you turn complex data into practical, strategic decisions that drive measurable results.

This course applies quantitative and computational methods to financial decision-making. Students construct financial models in Excel and R to evaluate valuation, forecasting, and risk scenarios. Emphasis is placed on simulation, uncertainty analysis, and the integration of statistical and financial techniques in practical modeling exercises.

Rationale: Finance is fundamentally the study of cash flows鈥攖heir timing, size, and value as they move through a dynamic, uncertain global economy. This course revisits the core principles of finance and statistics through a quantitative and computational lens, emphasizing practical skills in Excel and R. Students will learn how to model real financial scenarios using mathematical tools such as indexing, vectors, and matrices while exploring the role of uncertainty and simulation in pricing and valuation. By connecting financial theory to data and computation, the course deepens both technical fluency and strategic insight.

Industry Example: Working as an analyst evaluating investment opportunities, you鈥檒l use the skills from this course to build models that forecast returns, account for uncertainty, and test how different economic events could affect performance. The combination of finance, statistics, and programming prepares you to approach complex problems with precision and confidence鈥攕kills highly valued in investment banking, risk management, and data-driven financial roles.

This course examines econometric theory and application at the graduate level. Students study model formulation, estimation, and diagnostic testing using real-world financial and economic data. MATLAB is used to implement econometric techniques and develop models suited to specific research and business problems.

Rationale: This course introduces students to the practical and theoretical aspects of econometric modeling used in finance, economics, and data-driven decision making. Students will learn how to formulate models, understand the logic behind econometric techniques, and apply them to real-world data. Emphasis is placed on developing the ability to recognize, modify, and build models that best fit specific business or research problems. MATLAB will be used extensively, providing hands-on experience with statistical computation and model implementation.


Industry Example: If you鈥檙e working as an analyst for a financial firm or government agency, you will use skills from this course to study how changes in interest rates affect investment spending or employment trends. The course equips you to translate complex data into insights that support evidence-based decisions鈥攙aluable preparation for careers in quantitative analysis, economic research, and financial forecasting.

This course provides an analytical study of derivatives markets, focusing on options, futures, and related instruments. Topics include pricing models, hedging strategies, and risk management applications. Students gain practical experience applying quantitative tools to evaluate and structure derivative-based financial strategies.

Rationale: Helps you develop advanced skills in pricing, hedging, and trading derivative instruments. This knowledge is crucial for managing financial risk, implementing investment strategies, and understanding market behavior鈥攌ey competencies for careers in trading, risk management, portfolio management, and financial engineering.

Industry Example: An airline might want to lock in fuel prices to avoid future spikes. This course gives you the tools to understand how those kinds of contracts work and how they protect the company.

This course explores the principles of investment analysis and portfolio management. Students study asset classes, risk and return tradeoffs, market efficiency, and valuation models including CAPM, APT, and multifactor frameworks. The course integrates theory and empirical methods to guide investment decision-making.

Rationale: This course introduces you to the process of evaluating investment opportunities, balancing risk and return, and making informed choices in a constantly changing market.

Industry Example: A private equity firm evaluating whether to acquire a mid-sized logistics company applies advanced investment principles, such as discounted cash flow analysis, risk-adjusted return metrics, and scenario modeling, to determine if the deal aligns with their portfolio strategy and meets expected return thresholds.

This advanced seminar addresses emerging and specialized topics in finance not covered in the standard curriculum. Content varies by semester and may include areas such as financial technology, quantitative asset management, or sustainable finance. The course emphasizes independent research, computational analysis, and applied problem-solving in a seminar format.

Rationale: This course offers students the opportunity to explore specialized and emerging topics in finance that extend beyond the standard curriculum. Each semester, the focus may shift based on new research interests, faculty expertise, economic developments, or technological innovations shaping the financial world. The format emphasizes active discussion, research papers, and computational projects, encouraging both independent inquiry and collaborative analysis.

Industry Example: A student might join a seminar on financial technology and learn to analyze how artificial intelligence is transforming risk assessment in banking. Another semester鈥檚 topic could focus on climate finance, where students model the impact of environmental policies on investment portfolios. By engaging with advanced, evolving issues, students refine their analytical, research, and communication skills鈥攑reparing them to think critically and contribute meaningfully to the finance profession.

Course Descriptions 鈥 Electives

This course provides an in-depth study of fixed income markets and instruments. Students analyze bond valuation, yield curves, interest rate risk, and credit risk. The course also considers policy and regulatory influences on fixed income markets and emphasizes quantitative methods for bond portfolio construction and management.

Rationale: Gain a deep understanding of how debt markets function and how fixed income securities are priced, analyzed, and managed. This knowledge is essential for making informed investment decisions, managing risk, and pursuing careers in finance, especially in roles related to asset management, credit analysis, and investment strategy.

Industry Example: An investment analyst is tasked with constructing a bond portfolio for a pension fund client seeking stable income with minimal risk. Drawing on knowledge from the course, the analyst uses concepts such as duration and convexity to manage interest rate risk, credit spreads to assess risk-adjusted returns, and yield curve strategies (e.g., bullet vs. barbell portfolios) to position the portfolio based on macroeconomic forecasts. Understanding mortgage-backed securities and callable bonds also helps in evaluating prepayment risk and optimizing yield in a low-interest-rate environment.

This course examines the strategic and financial considerations underlying corporate mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings. Students explore valuation techniques, deal structures, takeover tactics, and post-merger integration. Emphasis is placed on applying analytical models and strategic frameworks to assess transaction value and feasibility.

Rationale: This course introduces you to the strategies behind corporate mergers and acquisitions, as well as how to evaluate whether a proposed deal creates value.

Industry Example: A corporate development manager is evaluating the potential acquisition of a promising AI startup. Using skills gained from the M&A course, they conduct valuation analysis, assess strategic fit and synergies (e.g., technology integration, talent acquisition), and perform due diligence on financials, legal risks, and cultural alignment. They also apply knowledge of deal structuring, regulatory considerations, and post-merger integration planning to recommend an approach that maximizes long-term value and minimizes disruption

This course provides advanced analysis of real estate finance within capital market frameworks. Students study mortgage-backed securities, REITs, and structured financing instruments. The course integrates Excel-based modeling, risk assessment, and portfolio optimization to evaluate investment opportunities in real estate markets.

Rationale: Real estate is one of the largest asset classes in the global economy, and understanding its financing mechanisms is essential for any well-rounded finance professional. This course deepens your grasp of how real estate interacts with capital markets鈥攍inking property-level cash flows to broader financial instruments such as mortgage-backed securities and real estate investment trusts (REITs). You will be prepared to evaluate complex real estate investments and manage exposure to interest rate, credit, and market risk. The emphasis on Excel-based modeling builds the technical fluency and quantitative rigor needed for careers in real estate finance, investment management, structured products, and risk analytics.

Industry Example: A commercial real estate investment firm is evaluating whether to purchase a portfolio of office buildings financed through debt. Using skills from this course, an analyst models projected cash flows, stress-tests assumptions about vacancy and rent growth, and applies risk-adjusted valuation metrics to compare potential returns against benchmark securities. The analysis also considers hedging strategies using derivatives to mitigate interest rate exposure. This approach allows the firm to make data-driven investment decisions that balance yield, risk, and liquidity in a volatile property market.

This seminar course explores selected contemporary issues in finance that extend beyond the core curriculum. Topics may include entrepreneurship finance, media finance, or bankruptcy and restructuring. The course emphasizes case-based learning, applied research, and discussion of evolving market developments.

Rationale: This course allows students to explore specialized and emerging areas within finance that reflect current trends and market developments. Topics may include Media Finance, Entrepreneurship Finance, Bankruptcy and Restructuring, or other timely issues shaping the financial landscape. By engaging with contemporary case studies, applied readings, and practitioner insights, students will learn how evolving industries and economic conditions influence financial decision-making, capital structure, and valuation.

Industry Example: A media startup is evaluating financing options to fund an original streaming series. Drawing on concepts from Media and Entrepreneurship Finance, a student team assesses debt versus equity structures, forecasts revenue streams based on subscriber growth and advertising contracts, and models project cash flows under varying risk scenarios. In a different semester, the course might focus on Bankruptcy and Restructuring, where students analyze a distressed retailer鈥檚 Chapter 11 filing, identify key creditors, and evaluate restructuring plans that preserve value for stakeholders.

This seminar connects students with finance professionals and industry leaders to explore current trends, innovations, and challenges in global finance. Guest lectures and discussions provide insights into contemporary practices and career development within the financial services sector.

Rationale: Through direct interaction with experienced professionals, this course connects your academic learning to current events and emerging trends in finance.

Industry Example: A senior executive might discuss how new technologies are influencing corporate finance. Another leader may discuss career pathing while a following leader may discuss international finance or corporate compliance. These real-world insights help you understand where the field is heading and how you can prepare to lead it.

This course enables students to pursue supervised research on a selected topic in finance. Projects involve critical review of literature, data analysis, and application of theoretical frameworks to current industry or academic questions. The independent study promotes scholarly inquiry and professional depth.

Rationale: This course allows you to pursue a focused research project on a finance topic of personal or professional interest, encouraging deeper thinking and independent analysis.

Industry Example: If you're curious about sustainable investing or digital currencies, you can study their real-world impact, sharpen your analytical skills, and develop expertise that sets you apart in the job market in an area targeted to your interests.

This capstone course integrates academic learning with professional experience through a supervised project for an approved organization. Students design, execute, and present an applied finance project demonstrating mastery of program competencies. Enrollment requires prior faculty and sponsor approval.

Rationale: Under the guidance of a Faculty Supervisor and in collaboration with an approved industry sponsor, students design and complete a project that addresses an authentic business challenge. The experience combines academic rigor with practical application, emphasizing independent analysis, professional communication, and problem-solving at a graduate level.

Industry Example: A student might partner with a financial consulting firm to develop a valuation model for a potential acquisition or work with a nonprofit to design an investment strategy for long-term sustainability. Through this project, students gain hands-on experience, refine their technical and analytical abilities, and demonstrate their readiness to contribute meaningfully as finance professionals.

This experiential course allows students to apply academic knowledge in a professional finance setting. Under faculty supervision, students engage in applied work that enhances practical understanding, professional skills, and career readiness.

Rationale: By working within an organization, students gain real-world experience, develop professional habits, and strengthen their understanding of how financial concepts function in practice. The internship offers an opportunity to build a professional network and explore potential career paths, often serving as a bridge to full-time employment.

Industry Example: A student interning with a financial planning firm might assist in preparing investment proposals for clients, analyze market data, or help model cash flow projections. Another student might work with a corporate finance department to evaluate funding options for a new project. These experiences not only apply classroom learning but also enhance communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in a real business environment.

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