Financial Analysis Graduate Program
Admission/How to Apply
Apply
Online for the Fall Program or Request
an Application Packet.
The M.S. in Financial Analysis program starts each fall (August). This program does not accept applications for the spring semester. The priority application date is:
- March 1 is the priority application date for fall (August)
admission to the MSFA Accelerated and MSFA Professional Programs. This target
date is particularly helpful to international applicants who need sufficient
time to obtain a U.S. student visa.
- April 15 is the final application date for the MSFA Accelerated
Program for fall (August) admission.
- June 10 is the final application date for the MSFA Professional
Program for fall (August) admission.
Applications are reviewed for admission beginning in October for the next year's
fall admission. The MSFA Accelerated and Professional Programs receive a large
number of applications each year. Since applications are reviewed on a rolling
admission basis starting in October, it is best to apply as early as possible
to the program. It is advised not to wait until the priority application dates
or final application dates to submit your complete application file. Only complete
applications will be reviewed for admission. Once the cohort (class) for the
fall program is filled, later qualified applicants may be placed on a waiting
list.
Please send all of your application items to the Office of Graduate Programs
in USF's College of Arts and Sciences. Do not send application items to the
MSFA Program or the Department of Economics; this will delay the processing
of your application. Admission decisions are typically made by the MSFA Program
within six weeks after a completed application is received by the MSFA Program.
Admission decisions are communicated by mail by the MSFA Program.
Please Note: The Department of Economics offers three graduate programs - the
M.A. in Economics, the M.A. in International and Development Economics and the
M.S. in Financial Analysis (Professional or Accelerated Programs). Applicants
can apply to only one of these programs in the start term to which they have
applied. Applicants to the MSFA Program must indicate, on their application
form, to which MSFA Program they are applying: "AFA" code for the MSFA Accelerated
Program (weekday program for non-professionals) or "MSFA" code for the MSFA
Professional Program (Saturday program for working professionals).
The MSFA Accelerated Program holds all classes during the week and is designed
for full-time graduate students and international students. The MSFA Professional
Program holds all classes on Saturdays and is designed for students who have
two years or more of professional employment.
Admission Items and Requirements
- First Step: Please submit your application form and fee
of $55 (payable to the University of San Francisco) to the University of San
Francisco's Office of Graduate Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences,
or apply online. Please submit this form first in the application
process, so that the Office of Graduate Programs can more easily match your
other application items to your application file.
- Transcripts - An official, sealed transcript from each college or university
attended. A Bachelor's degree is required from an accredited college or university,
preferably with a background in Economics or Business.
- Letters of Recommendation - Two letters of recommendation from a supervisor
and/or instructors.
- Statement of Purpose - A two-to-three page essay that describes your professional
and educational interests, background and goals.
- Resume - A current resume demonstrating relevant work experience.
- Background knowledge/preparation - microeconomics and macroeconomics, accounting,
probability and statistics, linear algebra and calculus, and knowledge of
spreadsheet applications.
- Applicants may be asked to attend an interview with the Program Director.
- TOEFL or IELTS scores - International students are required to submit their
official TOEFL or IELTS scores.
- Certification of Finance - International students are required to submit
a completed and signed form, along with supplemental bank statements (see
International Students).
- GMAT or GRE scores - MSFA Accelerated applicants are required to submit
either official GMAT or GRE scores. The GMAT or GRE is not required for applicants
to the MSFA Professional Program.
See the inside of the application for more details about each item required
in the application.
Submit all application items to:
University of San Francisco
Office of Graduate Programs, Arts and Sciences
2130 Fulton Street, HR 240
San Francisco, California 94117
Do not send any application items to the Financial Analysis Program or Department
of Economics.
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Tests and GPA Requirements
- GMAT or GRE scores (official) are required for the MSFA Accelerated Program.
The USF school code for the GRE is 4850. It is not necessary to provide a
department code. The USF MSFA program code for the GMAT is 91M-7L-93. The
average GMAT score is 600. The average GRE quantitative score is 600 or higher.
- TOEFL or IELTS scores (official) are required of international applicants:
A minimum TOEFL score of 79 (internet-based), 213 (computer-based) or 550
(print-based) is required for admission consideration. The USF school code
for the TOEFL is 4850. It is not necessary to provide a department code. A
minimum IELTS score of 7.0 or higher is required.
Applicants to graduate school typically hold a 2.7 GPA or higher in their undergraduate degree and a 3.0 GPA or higher in courses in their undergraduate major. However, professional experiences in the financial and investment fields (as described in your resume and statement of purpose) are also weighed strongly by the Admission Committee.
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Application Status
Once an application form is processed by USF, you will be mailed a USF web
account so that you can check your application status online.
Or you can contact USF's Office of Graduate Programs in the College of Arts
and Sciences, at 415.422.5135 or at asgrad@usfca.edu
for your application status. Please allow six weeks for the processing and admission
review of your application once all of your required application items have
been received by USF.
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Financial Aid Application
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you can apply for a U.S. federal student loan at www.fafsa.ed.gov. U.S. students who have not defaulted on a previous federal student loan are eligible for $20,500 each year for graduate studies. Students can accept all or any part of this amount (students indicate amount on the "financial aid award letter") during the federal student loan application process.
All applicants (U.S. and international) are automatically considered for a
small number of merit-based partial scholarships offered by the MSFA Accelerated
Program. No separate application is required. These scholarships are limited
and do not significantly affect the costs of tuition and living expenses for
graduate students in this program. International students should not rely on
these scholarships to defray their costs during studies.
The MSFA Professional Program does not offer scholarships or teaching assistantships.
MSFA Professional students are typically employed full-time in the financial/investment
fields, while enrolled in this graduate program.
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Notification of Admission Decision
Once an application and all required documents are on file in the Office of
Graduate Programs in USF's College of Arts and Sciences, an applicant will be
notified of admission status by mail by the MSFA Program.
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Advising, Registration, Orientation and Start of Classes
Admitted students can contact the Financial Analysis program for details about
the advising and registration schedule, as well as start of classes, in August
of each year. The Financial Analysis program office can be contacted at 415.422.2765
or at msfa@usfca.edu.
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International Students
International students must arrive on campus at least 10 days before the first day of classes in the fall for the International Student Orientation. Contact the Office of International Student Services for details about international student orientation at iss@usfca.edu.
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