MS Finance

The MS Finance degree is a full-time, campus-based, in-person program that is designed to take one academic year (9 months) to complete.

The program provides extensive course work and an in-depth application of materials, preparing students for a range of job opportunities. In addition to the course work, enrichment seminars in topics ranging from teamwork and leadership to ethics and corporate social responsibility support the "whole student" experience by incorporating professional development into the academic experience.

The focused curriculum offers a firm grounding in general finance and helps to develop the specific skills necessary to pursue careers in a variety of financial fields.

The MS Finance degree offers three "tracks" to develop skills in specific disciplines.

• Investment Management: Provides the skills necessary to pursue a career with an investment management firm and prepares students to take the CFA Level I exam.
   
• Corporate Finance/Consulting: Prepares students for a career in management consulting, investment banking, private equity and venture capital.
   
• Sustainable Finance: Provides up-to-date knowledge for a wide array of careers helping investors, corporations, and governments allocate capital between different sustainability projects and evaluate the impact of sustainable funding in the markets.

All students (including current undergraduate students at CU Boulder) are required to attend orientation and program preparation events including the following:

Advising & Next Steps sessions are required virtual pre-orientation events that are offered by the graduate student services team for newly enrolled students in the MS Finance program. The sessions are designed to help students prepare for the coming academic year.

Students will also attend the following orientation sessions on the CU Boulder campus:
     Mandatory International Student Bootcamp – July 28-30, 2025 (international students only)
     Mandatory All Student Orientation, Bootcamps and Proficiency Assessments – August 5 - 20, 2025
     Mandatory International Student and Scholar Services Orientation – August 17, 2025

The program starts August 21, 2025.

The MS Finance program consists of 30 credits taken over 2 semesters, and runs from August to May. Courses are 3 credits each unless otherwise stated.

The MS Finance Program begins on August 21, 2025.

Fall Semester Courses (August 21 - December 12, 2025) - 16.5 credits total 

Fall Semester Full Term Courses - 4.5 credits
     MSBC 5031 Quantitative Methods in Finance (3 credits)
     MSBC 5235 Topics: Finance Industry Academy I (1.5 credits)

Fall Semester (Session A) Courses - 6 credits
     MSBC 5020 Financial Accounting (1.5 credits)
     MSBC 5015 Managerial Economics (1.5 credits)
     MSBC 5060 Corporate Finance (3 credits)

Fall Semester (Session B) Courses - 6 credits
     MSBC 5220 Investment Management & Analysis (3 credits)
     MBAX 6250 Derivative Securities (3 credits)

Spring Semester Courses (January 8 - May 1, 2026) - 13.5 credits
     MBAX 6210 Applied Financial Management (3 credits)
     MBAX 6260 Fixed Income Investing (3 credits)
     MBAX 6295 Topics: Finance Academy II (1.5 credits)
     Track Electives - 6 credits

MS Finance students will consult with their academic advisor to select 2 elective courses from the list of available elective courses.

Elective courses are listed according to the MS Finance "tracks". Available courses are subject to change based on overall enrollment and faculty availability.

Investment Management
     MSBX 5225 Advanced Portfolio Management
     MBAX 6290 Textual Analysis in Business

Corporate Finance
     MBAX 6290 Textual Analysis in Business
     MSBX 6710 Financial Statement Analysis
     MSBX 5205 Financial Strategy & Decision Modeling
     MSBX 6270 Applied Derivatives

Sustainable Finance
     MBAX 5280 Sustainable Finance
     MBAX 6720 ESG Reporting & Analysis
     MSBX 6815 Sustainable Real Estate

Elective courses offered may vary from the list above. Course offerings each year are subject to change based on faculty availability.

Tuition and program fees will vary based on a student's residency status. The estimated total cost of attendance for an academic year could include expenses such as a campus meal plan, books and supplies; and items that are not billed by the university, such as personal expenses, housing, groceries, transportation and medical insurance.

Applicants to the MS Finance program are automatically considered for competitive merit scholarship awards. Selected candidates will be notified of their scholarship in the admissions letter.

     Estimated Cost of Attendance
     Financing Your MS Degree

Students may also apply for scholarships and fellowships from private sources (outside of the University of Colorado Boulder and the Leeds School of Business) to help finance their degree.

     List of Outside Scholarship Search Websites
     List of National Fellowships

Prospective students considering the MS Finance program should review our website for more information about:

• Admissions criteria and application requirements.
• Application deadlines.

If you decide to apply, you will start by creating an account in our application portal.

International students should also review our dedicated webpage for international applicants.

The MS Finance program at the Leeds School of Business is dedicated to creating a collaborative community centered on a cohort experience.

Our high-performing students come from a variety of backgrounds. While the program does not require work experience, the Class of 2025 arrives with an average of 2 years work experience and an average undergraduate GPA of 3.33. The result is a rich learning environment of peers, faculty and connections to Boulder and the Front Range's business community.
 

The Leeds School of Business values applications from international candidates. The cultural diversity and perspectives that international students bring to the program enrich the experience for all of our graduate students.

We evaluate candidates from outside the US using the same criteria used for domestic applicants. However, some additional information is required to complete the application for international candidates.

International Admissions - Master of Science Applicants

International students may apply for admission up until the "Final International Deadline" listed on our website. However, we generally recommend applying significantly earlier than the final international deadline. Once an admission decision has been rendered, our international applicants have to take additional steps to enroll at CU Boulder. These steps include submitting additional documents, paying a deposit, receiving your I-20, applying for a student visa, and making travel arrangements to the US. Applying early will ensure you have enough time to complete all the necessary steps prior to the start of your program.

Leeds values the leadership and management skills our veterans contribute to the school.

Our Master of Science programs offer collaboration, community, and support to build on the skills you’ve developed during your military service. We will help you build the business skills that will prepare you for a significant role in a civilian career. We also recognize that our military veterans are making a significant transition into a civilian career, and offer resources and support.

Office of Veterans Services

MBA Veterans Club (MS students may participate)

Also note: The application fee for active US military and US military veterans will be automatically waived at the time of submission.

If you have questions, we invite you to connect with us in one of the following ways:

• Sign up for a virtual event or appointment to speak with Kim Gutierrez, Assistant Director for Graduate Admissions, about Master of Science programs at Leeds.
   
• Send us an email at leedsgrad@colorado.edu.
   
• If you would like to be added to our mailing list, complete our interest form for Master of Science programs at Leeds.

Additional Resources regarding the Leeds School of Business:
     Leeds School of Business Homepage
     Program website: MS Finance
     View a pre-recorded information session for Master of Science programs
     Burridge Center for Finance
     Faculty Directory

Other Campus Websites of Interest:
     Housing and Dining Information
     Student Employment