This piece was contributed by Jenny Bingham, External Programs & Communications Coordinator, and Dr. Stephen Horan, Associate Professor and Director of MS Finance and Investment Management within Cameron School of Business. 

Finance and investment professionals looking to advance in their profession now have an opportunity to pursue a degree that is one of its kind in North Carolina.  The STEM designated, AACSB-accredited Master of Science in Finance & Investment Management (MSF) is designed to prepare individuals for senior positions in portfolio management, security analysis, investment banking, risk management, corporate finance, or private wealth management. 

As a STEM designated program, it is focused on science, technology, engineering, and math topics. It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as beneficial for international students looking to work in the United States. It allows F-1 international students to apply for a 24-month extension for Optional Practical Training.

Designed for Working Professionals
This fall, UNCW’s Cameron School of Business will offer the MSF program in both online and in-person accelerated formats.  This program is designed specifically for the working professional.  It requires no residences and can be completed full-time in as few as 12 months.

Prepare for the CFA Exam
The curriculum follows the CFA Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) which increases the likelihood of passing the Chartered Financial Analyst exam if students are interested in pursuing the CFA program. It is recognized as part of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program – the premier investment management credential and gold standard for more than 200,000 investment professionals worldwide. This recognition reflects the high quality of the MSF program and that it covers at least 70% of the CBOK. 

“Many MSF professors are CFA charter holders who have worked for or volunteer for the CFA Institute,” explains program coordinator Dr. Stephen Horan, CFA.

MSF students are eligible for CFA program scholarships that reduce the cost of their candidacy by up to $1,200. The only requirement to apply for the scholarships is to be an enrolled student or graduate of the MSF program. 

What Does the Program Entail?
During this program, students will:

• Acquire a working familiarity with industry ethics and guidelines such as The CFA Institute’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct and Asset Manager Code of Conduct and Research Objectivity Guidelines
• Learn approaches to equity valuation
• Understand alternative investment assets
• Develop expertise in financial statement analysis and the tools used to evaluate a firm’s financial health.

• Chief Investment Officer 
• Portfolio Manager
• Wealth Manager
• Financial Advisor
• Security Analyst
• Portfolio Analyst
• Financial Planner
• Risk Manager