Financial Analysis Graduate Program
The Program
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Now for the Program Starting in the Fall!
The MSFA program at the University of San Francisco provides a unique combination of academic rigor and practical expertise. This graduate program integrates the rigorous quantitative training required by the financial profession with solid grounding in the ethical behavior that underpins financial markets and transactions.
The financial and investment professions demand a specialized set of skills and knowledge to meet the evolving needs and responsibilities of the financial field. In providing the training valued by industry, particular focus is given to the set of skills embodied and required to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation.
The MSFA program is offered in two convenient formats - the Professional program (two years) and the Accelerated program (one year). See each program format below for details.
MSFA faculty include both USF professors and Bay Area financial professionals who deliver a program that is strong in both theory and practical applications for today's financial markets. The MSFA program is one that upgrades quantitative and analytical skills while mastering the knowledge required of financial practitioners.
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The Professional Program
- The USF Professional MSFA program is specifically structured to meet the special needs of working finance professionals. The two-year program (22 months) allows busy investment professionals to integrate the demands of their careers with graduate work and study for the CFA® exams.
- The MSFA program takes place in a high-tech classroom environment where faculty and students have real-time access to a large variety of financial software programs and data.
- The program begins in August of each year (fall admission). All classes in this full-time program are offered on Saturdays, and the program can be completed entirely on Saturdays. There are no classes held in the summer or during major holidays.
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The Accelerated Program
- The USF Accelerated MSFA program is structured to provide a one year curriculum that covers all important area of the CFA® body of knowledge.
- Academically qualified students gain a through and practical knowledge of finance and investment management in this full-time program.
- The MSFA program takes place in a high-tech classroom environment where faculty and students have real-time access to a large variety of financial software programs and data.
- The program begins at the end of August of each year (fall admission). Classes are offered during the week and evenings.
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Goals of the Programs
- Ensure a thorough understanding of industry practice and standards as embodied in the skills and knowledge required by the CFA® designation.
- Master the fundamental economic techniques for valuing financial assets.
- Provide an interdisciplinary approach to the study of financial markets and the valuation of financial assets.
- Apply quantitative methods and economic theory to the analysis and management of financial asset portfolios.
- Understand the shortcomings of traditional accounting practice in the valuation process.
- Develop a broad understanding of the micro, macro and international trends that influence the values of financial assets and the evolution of financial markets.
- Study the role of ethical behavior in promoting the operational integrity of financial markets.
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The CFA® Designation Advantage — Programs Geared
to Practitioner Needs
The Chartered Financial Analyst® or CFA® designation represents an internationally recognized standard of excellence in investment management. The CFA® requires candidates to pass three exams, an achievement that has become increasingly difficult in recent years. This trend is likely to continue in the future, further enhancing the prestige of investment professionals who possess the credential. Click here for more information on the CFA® designation.
The two-year USF MSFA program provides a coordinated, sequential approach to the tools and knowledge covered by the annual CFA® exams. The MSFA curriculum is structured to provide students with the knowledge they need to take the exams of the CFA® designation. Students are encouraged to take these exams while enrolled in the MSFA program.
Professional MSFA students continue to have access to this exclusive CFA® Review program for one year after they graduate from the program.
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Quantitative Training
- Students will graduate from the USF MSFA program with a rigorous specialist training in recent advances in quantitative financial analysis and economics.
- Our graduates will understand and be able to apply the most current tools used by investment management professionals today.
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Preparation for the CFA® exams
The USF MSFA programs provide a coordinated, sequential approach to the tools
and knowledge covered by the annual CFA® exams.
The MSFA curriculum is structured to provide students with the knowledge they need to take the exams of the CFA® designation. Students are encouraged to take these exams while enrolled in the MSFA program.
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Theory and Practice
- The MSFA provides a unique combination of academic rigor and practical expertise.
- The Program faculty include both USF professors and Bay Area financial professionals who are CFA® charterholders to deliver a program strong in both theory and practical applications.
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The Cohort Experience
Students in both formats of the MSFA progress through the program as a single group (or "cohort") of peers, who start together in August and finish after a set sequence of courses. The cohort model of education allows faculty to tailor practical examples and assignments in the courses to the unique needs and interests of individuals in each cohort.
Complementary strengths within each cohort provide students with the opportunity to learn with and from one another throughout the program. The cohort structure also encourages study groups that provide mutual support during the MSFA coursework and study for CFA® exams.
The cohort structure reinforces mutual support throughout the program and encourages MSFA students to develop collegial and professional networks that continue well beyond the program.
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Program of Study
The Professional program consists of 36 graduate units. Courses vary from 1 to 3 units, depending on the length of the course. Saturday courses are held from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm (with a one-hour lunch break).
The Accelerated program consists of 34 graduate units. Courses are 2 units. Courses will be scheduled during weekdays and weekday evenings.
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Graduate Courses
- Microeconomics for Finance
- Financial Markets
- Macroeconomics for Finance
- Corporate Finance
- Equity Valuation
- Fixed Income Valuation
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Derivatives I
- Finance and Ethics I
- Advanced Fixed Income
- Computer Models for Financial Analysis
- Derivatives II
- Econometrics
- International Finance
- Capital Market Theory
- Financial Econometrics
- Portfolio Management
- Alternative Investments
- Finance and Ethics II
(see the Curriculum for more details)
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Professional MSFA Courses — Two-Year Master's Program
Year 1 — Fall
(August-December) |
Microeconomics for Finance
(2 or 3 units) |
Financial Markets
(2 or 3 units) |
Macroeconomics for Finance
(2 units)
| Corporate Finance
(2 units) |
Year 1 — Spring
(January-May) |
Equity Valuation
(2 units) |
Fixed Income Valuation
(2 units) |
Finance and
Ethics I
(1 unit) |
Financial Statement Analysis
(2 units) |
Derivatives I
(2 units) |
Advanced Fixed Income
(2 units) |
Year 2 — Fall
(September-December) |
Computer Models for Financial Analysis
(2 units) |
Derivatives II
(2 units) |
Econometrics
(2 units)
| International Finance
(2 units) |
Year 2 — Spring
(January-May) |
Capital Market Theory
(2 units) |
Financial Econometrics
(2 unit) |
Finance and
Ethics II
(1 unit) |
Portfolio Management
(2 units ) |
Alternative Investments
(2 units) |
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Accelerated MSFA Courses — One-Year Master's Program
Fall Semester
(August - December) |
Microeconomics for Finance
(2 units) |
Financial Markets
(2 units) |
Macroeconomics for Finance
(2 units)
| Corporate Finance
(2 units) |
Computer Models for Finance
(2 units)
| Econometrics
(2 units) |
Spring Semester
(January-May) |
Equity Valuation
(2 units) |
Financial Statement Analysis
(2 units) |
Fixed Income Valuation
(2 unit) |
Advanced Fixed Income
(2 unit) |
Derivatives I
(2 units) |
Derivatives II
(2 units) |
Summer Semester
(June - August) |
Capital Market Theory
(2 units) |
Portfolio Management
(2 units) |
Alternative Investments
(2 units)
| Investments Financial Econometrics
(2 units) |
International Finance
(2 units) |
|
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MSFA/MBA Program
The MSFA program offers its students the opportunity to apply for the MBA at
USF after completing the first 19 units of MSFA coursework. This joint program
offers a savings of tuition cost and time. The MBA can be completed with one
additional year of courses (24 units). To be considered for the MBA option of
the MSFA, students must have completed the first 19 units of MSFA coursework
with a GPA of 3.2 or greater. Before applying, students must notify the MSFA
Program Director by email of their intention to apply. An online application
to the USF School of Business via Embark.com is required. Please visit their
website
for the current MBA application requirements..
CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.
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