Master of Science in Finance at a glance
- Format: Full-time, in-person
- Early exit option: Students may complete the academic curriculum in three quarters
- Final quarter: Practical learning designed to be compatible with work commitments
- Location: Seattle, Washington
- Core academic curriculum Three quarters
- Extended option: Four quarters, including additional applied learning
- STEM-designated:Yes
- Program start:September 2027
Key Dates & Admissions
Applicants submit one application to the MSF program and indicate whether they plan to complete the full four-quarter MSF or select the three-quarter early exit option.
You do not need to speak with the admissions team before making your selection. If you would like help considering which program length best aligns with your academic and professional goals, the MSF team is available to answer questions.
Admission criteria are the same regardless of the option selected. There are no separate admissions quotas, and selecting the four-quarter MSF or the three-quarter early exit option does not change an applicant’s competitiveness or likelihood of admission.
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Program Structure
The MSF program experience
The MSF combines three quarters of rigorous finance coursework with opportunities to develop analytical, technical, and professional skills. All students complete the same core academic curriculum, developing expertise across finance disciplines and applied analytics.
Students complete the MSF as a four-quarter program or may choose the three-quarter early exit option after completing the academic curriculum.
The fourth quarter: applied, work-compatible learning
The MSF is designed as a four-quarter program that combines a three-quarter academic curriculum with a final quarter focused on applied professional learning. During the summer, students are required to complete an internship or related professional experience. In the fourth quarter, students return to campus for a required 2-credit Practicum course and an additional 4-credit course.
The final quarter is designed to be compatible with work commitments, allowing students to continue building professional experience while completing the MSF. The Practicum course helps students reflect on their workplace experience, connect professional learning to concepts developed throughout the program, and strengthen their readiness for early-career finance roles.
Students are responsible for securing their own internship or professional experience. The MSF program and career services team provide resources, guidance, and support throughout the search process, but internships are not supplied or guaranteed.
Students who wish to complete the academic curriculum in three quarters may choose the early exit option.
An early-career pathway to analyst-level finance roles
Prepare for early-career opportunities across finance
The MSF prepares students to pursue early-career roles across a range of finance fields, including corporate finance, investment management, financial analysis, banking, fintech, and other areas where rigorous financial and analytical skills are valued.
Whether students enter the program with previous finance experience or are building on another academic or professional background, the MSF provides opportunities to deepen finance expertise, strengthen analytical capabilities, and develop practical skills for the workplace.
Through coursework, applied projects, professional development, and engagement with industry, students connect their MSF experience to their individual career goals.
Academic and professional backgrounds
MSF students may enter the program with a range of academic and professional backgrounds, including previous study or experience in finance. Applicants do not need to have majored in finance, economics, mathematics, or another quantitative field, but they should be prepared for graduate-level finance coursework that uses data, analysis, and technical tools.
Evidence of preparation may include strong performance in relevant coursework, GMAT or GRE scores if submitted, professional responsibilities involving financial or analytical work, or other academic and professional experiences that demonstrate readiness for the program.
- Economics
- Non-finance business majors
- Mathematics and statistics
- Engineering
- Computer science and data science
- Physics
- Psychology
- Political science
- International relations
- Natural sciences (e.g., chemistry, biology)
Applicants from other academic backgrounds may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on quantitative preparation, demonstrated comfort with analytical coursework, and the extent to which prior academic training overlaps with the MSF curriculum.
Program Highlights
A finance curriculum built for today’s market
Develop expertise across core finance disciplines while building analytical and technical capabilities for a rapidly evolving financial landscape. Coursework spans areas including corporate finance, investments, valuation, financial systems, analytics, machine learning, fintech, behavioral finance, sustainable finance, global finance, and real estate.
Applied learning, built into the program
Connect finance concepts to real-world challenges through applied coursework, capstone projects, and professional development.
Students who choose the four-quarter option further extend their learning through practical training connected to an internship experience. Students are responsible for securing their own internship, with resources, facilitation, and support from the MSF program and career services team.
Curriculum snapshot
The MSF core curriculum spans three quarters, combining rigorous study across core finance disciplines with applied analytics and emerging areas of financial practice.
Students deepen their expertise in areas including corporate finance, investments, valuation, and financial systems while developing capabilities in analytics, machine learning, fintech, behavioral finance, sustainable finance, global finance, and real estate.
Students who choose the four-quarter option extend this academic experience through additional applied learning connected to an internship experience.
The Master of Science in Finance curriculum spans core finance disciplines and applied analytics, including:
- Corporate Finance and Valuation
- Investments and Asset Management
- Data Analytics in Finance and Machine Learning
- FinTech and Financial Applications
- Behavioral and Sustainable Finance
- Banking and Financial Systems
- Global and International Finance
- Real Estate Finance
- AI in Finance
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Frequently Asked Questions
Domestic students and students who are not participating on an F-1 visa may change their selection once during the program, subject to the program’s deadline and requirements.
Take the next step
Have questions about the MSF program, admissions process, or choosing between the three- and four-quarter options? Connect with the MSF team or join an upcoming event to learn more.
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