Graduate programs

Master of Science in Finance

Driving excellence in finance theory and practice

Request information on the Master of Science in Finance


Loading...

Admission Events

Apply

Program format

In person

Commitment

Full time or part time

Duration

Nine to 21 months

Overview

The Master of Science in Finance (MSF) prepares you to excel in a finance career. This STEM-designated and OPT-certified program covers everything from financial accounting and statistics to international markets and monetary policy. Get real-world experience in our simulated trading center, complete with Bloomberg terminals, and make professional connections that will last a lifetime. At the Cox School, you’ll study with professors who don’t just teach — they’re driving the Dallas business boom.

The curriculum of the MSF program is designed to transform students’ understanding of business and the global economy, equipping them with the skills and relationships needed to succeed in the financial services marketplace. The finance department's state-of-the art programs are designed for the future. Taught by expert faculty and top practitioners, our courses offer a deep foundation in finance theory and practice. Our holistic approach allows students to graduate with the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective financial and business professionals.


A Culture that sets us apart

At SMU Cox, you’ll join a community of driven peers, alumni who open doors, expert faculty and dedicated staff who support your goals as their own. Here, when you win, we all win.

Student success

SMU Cox M.S. in Finance graduates consistently achieve high placement rates and competitive salaries. Program graduates in the Class of 2025 reported an average base salary of $82,000 and a full-time job acceptance rate of 92% within six months of graduation. In fact, MSF graduates have reported full-time job acceptance rates within six months of graduation of over 90% each of the past five years.


This program prepares you to excel in the following areas and professions:

  • Investment banking
  • Corporate finance and FP&A
  • Private equity
  • Asset management
  • Hedge funds and alternative investments
  • Risk management
  • FinTech
  • Valuation and transaction advisory

Top 20%

Best National Universities

U.S. News & World Report (2026)

92%

of graduates achieved their desired career or education outcome within six months of graduation

2025 MSF Employment Report

#1

metro area in Texas with the highest employment levels for Financial and Investment Analysts

U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (2023)

Student stories

Logan Bomhoff headshot

Logan Bomhoff, ’25

"Throughout my time at SMU Cox, I’ve been able to refine my goals, expand my network and push myself beyond my comfort zone. The hands-on experiences, collaborative environment and career coaching gave me the clarity and tools to pursue a career in finance with confidence and a clear vision."

Divya Kiranmay Palakolanu headshot

Divya Kiranmay Palakolanu, ’24

“The MSF curriculum at Cox challenged me intellectually and equipped me with skills and knowledge I rely on daily, giving me a strong foundation for navigating complex career challenges. Faculty interactions were a highlight for me. They were incredibly approachable and supportive during my studies and have remained available even beyond graduation.”

Admissions

Deadlines and details

Key dates and admissions information to help plan your application with confidence.

International students

All the essential admission requirements international students need to know.

Application questions

Connect with a Graduate Admission team member for answers to application questions.

Additional links

Requirements

  1. Current resume
  2. Written essays
  3. Unofficial transcripts or degree progress reports that show cumulative GPA and grades for each course taken
  4. Official transcripts from bachelor’s degree institution, institutions where 12 or more credit hours were taken and graduate degrees are required for candidates offered admission
  5. Two references (Name and contact information only. Recommendation letters are not required nor are they requested from references)

View all requirements

Ready to apply?

Get started here. No application fee required.

Tuition and financial aid

Tuition and costs

Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for graduate programs.

Financial aid

Find information on scholarships and financial support available at SMU.

Curriculum and learning

Featured courses

FINA 6216

Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing

Covers the theory and applications of risk and return in capital markets

FINA 6211/BA 6275

Valuation and Analysis

Practical, applied overview of corporate finance that builds upon and reinforces the theoretical and institutional framework covered in introductory business and finance courses

FINA 6226

Quantitative Trading Strategies

Focuses on designing and implementing trading strategies with controlled levels of risk exposure

View course catalog

Outside the classroom

Research

Our faculty are leading scholars in finance, publishing cutting-edge research in financial market design, corporate governance, tax policy, asset pricing, mergers and acquisitions, institutional investors and many other areas.

Faculty

In addition to their excellence in the classroom and in the field, Cox faculty participate in national and international conferences, collaborate with scholars across the globe and inform policy debates on topics such as market design and corporate governance.

This is a carousel with rotating cards. Use the previous and next buttons to navigate, and Enter to activate cards.

Mukunthan Santhanakrishnan

Mukunthan Santhanakrishnan

Clinical Professor
Director, Master of Science in Finance Program
Amar Gande

Amar Gande

Associate Professor
Ruidi Huang

Ruidi Huang

Associate Professor
Corrigan Research Professorship
Stacey Jacobsen

Stacey Jacobsen

Associate Professor
Fabacher Endowed Professor of Alternative Asset Management

Chotibhak (Pab) Jotikasthira

Professor
Phyllis Gough Huffington Chair

Darius Miller

Professor
Caruth Chair of Financial Management
Academic Director, Kitt Investing and…

Tarun Patel

Assistant Professor
Scott Sanderson

Scott Sanderson

Clinical Professor

Art Slender

Art Selender

Clinical Professor
Don Shelly

Don Shelly

Professor of Practice
Kumar Venkataraman

Kumar Venkataraman

Professor
Maguire Chair of Oil and Gas Management
Academic Director, Maguire Energy…
Alex Zhou

Alex Zhou

Professor
James M. Collins Chair

Facilities

Students in the MS in finance program at Cox can collaborate with the Career Management Center.

Career Management Center

From personal branding and coaching to internship or job searches, the CMC’s mission is to help students achieve their professional goals.

SMU Cox M.S. in finance students learn to integrate financial data and technology at the Kitt Investing and Trading Center.

Kitt Investing and Trading Center

Research and instructional facility designed to integrate financial data and technology into the finance curriculum, enhance innovative faculty research and teach students practical finance and investment applications.

Frequently asked questions

The M.S. in Finance at SMU Cox School of Business is a STEM-designated, 32- to 34-credit-hour specialized master’s degree designed to prepare students for careers in finance—whether or not they hold an undergraduate business degree. It covers key topics such as financial accounting, statistics, international markets and monetary policy and provides hands-on experience through tools like the Kitt Trading Center.


The SMU Cox M.S. in Finance program lists estimated tuition and fees of $61,502 for the 2026-27 academic year, which includes tuition, program fees and standard university fees. Costs details are provided on the Master of Science in Finance Admission page, which outlines tuition, fees and financing options for prospective students.


The SMU Cox M.S. in Finance is a STEM-designated program that prepares you for a finance career—whether or not your undergraduate degree is in business—covering essential topics like financial accounting, international markets and monetary policy. You’ll gain real-world experience through the Kitt Trading Center and access specialized areas including energy finance, hedge funds and portfolio management that enhance your job readiness.


In the MSF at SMU Cox School of Business, you learn advanced topics such as portfolio theory, fixed income securities, derivatives, valuation and quantitative trading strategies—all delivered in a 32- to 34-credit-hour curriculum. You also gain hands-on experience using the Kitt Trading Center with Bloomberg terminals and simulated trading and can specialize in areas like energy finance and hedge funds.


The SMU Cox M.S. in Finance is a STEM-designated program that equips you with specialized quantitative and analytical skills that employers value across investment banking, asset management, corporate finance and consulting. The curriculum combines rigorous coursework with hands-on training in the Kitt Trading Center, giving graduates a competitive edge in finance careers. See our latest employment reports here.


For the class of 2025, the SMU Cox M.S. in Finance graduates reported an average base salary of $80,500.


The M.S. in Finance at SMU Cox is a quantitative, fast-paced program that demands strong analytical skills and comfort with subjects like statistics, valuation, fixed income and derivatives. Students also apply these skills in the Kitt Trading Center, working with Bloomberg terminals and real-time market data, which adds a practical but challenging component. You can review the full course structure on the M.S. in Finance curriculum page.


The right choice depends on your goals: the MSF is a STEM-designated, 32- to 34-credit program focused entirely on finance and is ideal for students seeking specialized roles in areas like valuation, portfolio management or financial analysis. The MBA, on the other hand, provides broad leadership and business training across functions and is best suited for professionals with work experience who want to advance into management or pivot careers; details are available on the SMU Cox MBA programs page.


Related programs