Online Master of Science in Financial Management Degree
The online Master of Science in Financial Management (MSFM) at Boston University‘s Metropolitan College provides a specialized education in global quantitative finance, including investment analysis and international finance. The program provides a hands-on, immersive financial analytics experience, including a significant amount of statistical analysis, forecasting techniques, and programming, preparing you for leadership roles in modern global finance. Available on campus and online, the Financial Management master‘s program is designed for students seeking careers in corporate finance, financial management, investments, and multinational finance.
The MS in Financial Management offers courses that require data organization, analysis, and visualization to aid financial decision-making and risk management. To prepare you for the analytical and programming curriculum, we also provide several laboratories that cover mathematics and statistics with applications in management, advanced Excel, R, and Python. Additionally, you are encouraged to work on projects and a master thesis involving various aspects of data analysis, using data to extract and present helpful information for financial and investment decision-making. You will use sophisticated tools to design comprehensive visualization of significant organizational trends and prepare convincing presentations.
Metropolitan College is a participant in the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program. This membership acknowledges that our MSFM curriculum embeds a significant portion of the CFA® Program Candidate Body of Knowledge™ (CBOK) and covers the Standards of Practice Handbook, offering excellent preparation for the internationally recognized Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) Program exams.
Students in the Master of Science in Financial Management program have the option of choosing a concentration in International Finance or Investment Analysis.
Students who complete the master‘s degree in Financial Management will be able to demonstrate:
- Understanding of quantitative analysis in financial management and investment decision-making.
- Proficiency in application of mathematical and statistical modeling in financial analytics.
- Mastery in forecasting techniques to the analysis of problems of business organizations and performance.
- Comprehension of optimization theories and data analytics techniques in portfolio management.
- Knowledge and ability to perform data organization, analysis, and visualization for financial decision-making.
Awards & Accreditations
Accredited member of AACSB International―The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (through BU’s Questrom School of Business)
Newsweek magazine ranked Boston University’s online programs #4 in the nation in its 2023 survey.
Why Choose BU’s Master of Science in Financial Management?
- MET Financial Management programs offer excellent preparation for the internationally recognized Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program exams. As part of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program, MET’s Master of Science in Financial Management curriculum embeds a significant portion of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) and covers the Standards of Practice Handbook.
- Through our CFA affiliation, scholarships for the CFA Program exam are available to students enrolled in the MS in Financial Management program.
- Upon acceptance into the MS in Financial Management program, CFA Charterholders may waive two courses (8 credits), including Corporate Finance (MET AD 731) and one elective course, enabling them to earn the degree by completing just 32 credits.
- The Financial Management program offers the flexibility of online or on-campus study formats, ensuring that students can earn their degree the way that suits them the best.
- In 2024, Metropolitan College’s online master’s degrees in management were ranked #6 among the Best Online Master's in Business Programs (Excluding MBA) by U.S. News & World Report.
- Through Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, BU MET is an accredited member of AACSB International―The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
- The MS in Financial Management program expands upon classic theory taught in traditional MBA courses, providing the insights, critical thinking, and analytical skills needed to solve problems in today’s changing financial landscape.
- Professor Irena Vodenska was the principal investigator for Boston University’s part of the international, multi-institutional “Forecasting Financial Crisis” grant funded by the European Union.
*Chartered Financial Analyst is a registered trademark owned by CFA Institute.
Career Outlook
Financial Managers
16% increase in jobs through 2032
$156,100 median annual pay in 2023
Economists
6% increase in jobs through 2032
$115,730 median annual pay in 2023
Financial Analysts
8% increase in jobs through 2032
$99,890 median annual pay in 2023
Financial Examiners
20% increase in jobs through 2032
$84,300 median annual pay in 2023
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
7% increase in jobs through 2032
$76,900 median annual pay in 2023
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook (visited July 29, 2024)
Tuition & Financial Assistance
Money Matters
Boston University Metropolitan College (MET) offers competitive tuition rates that meet the needs of part-time students seeking an affordable education. These rates are substantially lower than those of the traditional, full-time residential programs yet provide access to the same high-quality BU education. To learn more about current tuition rates, visit the MET website.
Financial Assistance
Comprehensive financial assistance services are available at MET, including scholarships, graduate loans, and payment plans. There is no cost to apply for financial assistance, and you may qualify for a student loan regardless of your income. Learn more.
Curriculum
The Boston University Metropolitan College Master of Science in Financial Management consists of ten required online courses (40 credits).*
*Degree requirements may vary for those students transferring credits from previous coursework at Boston University or receiving course waivers due to professional designations.
With appropriate advanced planning, you can use degree electives from your online master’s in Financial Management to satisfy up to two required courses in an Administrative Sciences graduate certificate program—leaving only two additional courses to be completed in order to receive a graduate-level certificate.
Courses
Students not pursuing a Financial Management concentration in International Finance or Investment Analysis must complete the degree core courses, specialization courses, and electives. CFA Charterholders may waive two courses (8 credits), including Corporate Finance (MET AD 731) and one elective course.
Degree Core Courses
(Four courses/16 credits)
METAD630 Financial and Managerial Accounting
Introduction to the concepts, methods, and problems of financial and managerial accounting. Includes data accumulation, accounting principles, financial statement analysis, measurement and disclosure issues, cost analysis, budgeting and control, production costs, and standard costs. [4 credits]
METAD678 Financial Regulation and Ethics
Financial Regulation and Ethics is a course designed to thoroughly review the important topics of financial regulations, policies, and ethics. The course will explore an overview of the financial systems, their history, problems, and issues for the purpose of understanding the enactment of regulations as a method to protect the financial systems and investors. Also, regulators and their authority will be identified, both domestically and internationally.
Ethics, an extremely important aspect of finance will be discussed and explored. Ethics is a difficult topic to define and can be impacted by social norms. During the ethics portion of the course, students will study where ethics have failed and caused major issues for the financial marketplace and individual companies. [4 credits]
METAD685 Quantitative Methods for Finance
Finance is a highly competitive and dynamic industry that demands quantitative oriented professionals. This course will equip students with the empirical techniques which are used in the analysis of financial markets with a strong focus on financial applications using actual data.
The goal of this course is to provide students with a number of econometric techniques which are used in the analysis of financial markets based on asset pricing and corporate finance models. In particular, the emphasis will be on classical linear regression models, time series analysis, and limited dependent variable models applied to the following topics: predictability of asset returns; event study analysis; econometric tests of the CAPM and multifactor models; volatility modelling, etc. [4 credits]
METAD731 Corporate Finance
Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET AD 630 - Emphasizes issues of accounting, finance, and economics that are important in most management contexts. Stresses understanding financial statements, planning and control, cost and benefit evaluation, cash flow analysis, and capital budgeting. [4 credits]
Specialization Courses
(Four courses/16 credits)
METAD712 Financial Markets and Institutions
Prereq: MET AD630, MET AD731
Investigation and analysis of organization, structure, and performance of U.S. money and capital markets, and institutions. Examines regulation of the financial industry and the role of financial instruments. [4 credits]
METAD714 Mergers and Acquisitions
Prereq: MET AD630, MET AD731
This course examines the corporate valuation process by which takeovers and other corporate control transactions take place. It includes financial forecasting, based on expectation models, scenario analysis, and due diligence. Of particular interest will be the defensive measures by management against hostile bids, buyout transactions, the relation of takeovers to capital structure changes, and the insider trading in takeover contests. [4 credits]
METAD717 Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management
Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET AD 731 - Prereq AD 630, AD731
This course develops a framework for understanding the various types of financial decision making faced by financial managers and provides students with analytical tools for evaluating portfolio construction and management problems in a systematic manner. Includes analysis and determination of securities values. Problems of investment policy are approached through studies of portfolio selection methods and the valuation of special classes of securities. It offers quantitative strategies for portfolio diversification and risk management. [4 credits]
Plus one of the following:
METAD709 Case Studies in Current Corporate Financial Topics
Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET AD 630, MET AD 731 - Prereq: MET AD630, MET AD731
This course involves utilizing analytical methods for financial forecasting, cost of capital calculation, rate of return analysis, use of derivatives instruments, business growth management, discounted cash flow analysis, corporate valuation, mergers & acquisitions, and evaluation of bankruptcy proceedings. [4 credits]
METAD713 Derivative Securities and Markets
Undergraduate Prerequisites: MET AD 630, MET AD 731 - Prereq: MET AD630, MET AD731
Provides an overview of operation, mechanics, and structure of the derivative markets and covers in-depth quantitative valuation of derivative instruments, such as options, futures, and swaps. The course involves risk analysis including risk arbitrage, and risk management. Emphasizes the theory and practice of derivatives-based trading strategies including hedging opportunities for risk mitigation. [4 credits]
METAD719 Fixed Income Analysis
Prereq: MET AD 630, MET AD 731
This course covers the nature and analysis of fixed income securities and an in-depth examination of some of the particular features of some major classes of fixed income instruments, valuation, sensitivity to risks, and management of fixed income portfolios. [4 credits]
METAD763 Multinational Finance and Trade
Graduate Prerequisites: (METAD731) - Prereqs: AD 630, AD731
Applies the concepts of corporate finance and risk mitigation to the problems of multinational financial management. Major topics include foreign exchange risk, and construction of hedging strategies using derivative instruments such as forwards, futures, and swaps to reduce multinational corporate risk. Addresses international financial flows and their impact on foreign exchange rates, capital flows, speculation, analysis of alternative foreign investments, analysis of sources and uses of corporate funds abroad, multinational tax and profit. [4 credits]
General Electives
(Two courses/8 credits)
METAD528 Blockchain Finance
Cryptocurrencies and the underlying distributed ledger technology (blockchain), have exploded into public consciousness over the last few years, with many industry practitioners arguing that the blockchain technology has the potential to disrupt business and financial services in the way the Internet disrupted off-line commerce. This course covers digital currencies, blockchains, and related topics in the FinTech area using the analytical tools provided by economics, investments and corporate finance. [4 credits]
METAD561 Financial Analytics
This course presents financial algorithms used in applications of computer science in financial decision analysis, risk management, data mining and market analysis, and other modern business processes. The course covers theoretical background on probabilistic methods used for financial decision making and their application in number of fields such as financial modeling, venture capital decision making, operational risk measurement and investment science. Number of financial applications and algorithms are being presented for portfolio risk analysis, modeling real options, venture capital decision making, etc. The course concludes with algorithms for financial risk assessment and presents the security concepts and challenges of financial information systems. [4 credits]
METAD580 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Investments
Prerequisites: MET AD 717 or consent of instructor.- A comprehensive investments course introducing important aspects of investing, including environmental, social, and governance issues, and their role in corporate risk management, financial markets, and investments, presented from the viewpoint of market participants and corporate leadership. The course incorporates the mechanics of investing sustainably, with long-term planning on a micro and macro level. Topics will include an introduction and understanding of the ESG market, defining the environmental, social, and governance factors important for investment decision-making, and the importance of corporate engagement and stewardship. The course will also cover ESG analysis, valuation, and integration in portfolio management. [4 credits]
METAD581 Energy Transition: Markets and Regulation
The goal of the course is to give the student a clear, practical understanding of significant pieces of the energy "puzzle" as a guide to understanding how energy is produced and consumed -- as market forces dictate - both in the United States and abroad. Students considering this course can have various backgrounds/knowledge of energy, but most importantly, an interest in understanding the transitions needed to achieve climate-related goals. The student will be challenged to explore energy transition opportunities and decarbonization's imperative through finance, policy, markets, and regulation. [4 credits]
METAD605 Operations Management: Business Process Fundamentals
This course will provide students with the analytical tools to analyze, manage, and improve manufacturing, service, and business processes. Coverage includes various options to lower operational costs and improve responsiveness to customers' needs, including operating system design, product & service design, capacity analysis & buffering, waiting line optimization, and process quality analysis using statistical approaches. Quantitative methods include application of stochastic simulation, analysis of random outcomes, statistical analysis routines (confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, machine learning), system reliability analysis, and statistical process control. The Deming philosophy of management, Lean operations principles, and Six Sigma process improvement methodologies form the underlying foundation of the course coverage. [4 credits]
METAD610 Enterprise Risk Management
This overview course examines the management issues involved with assessing the security and risk environments in both the private and public sectors in order to assure continuous system-wide operations. The course studies the elements of operational and technological risk assessment and operational continuity using a project management framework and quantitative risk metrics. Students are exposed to the role of the firm in crisis response and management as well as the terms, systems, and interactions necessary to assure continuous operations. Topics include: the role and need for comprehensive assurance strategy and planning; information security; an overview of the system-wide structure; the social and emotional impact on the workforce as well as its effect on productivity; and the organizational infrastructure relating to national, regional, and international compliance. [4 credits]
METAD642 Project Management
The course explores modern project management by providing an enterprise- level, experiential view of the discipline focused on connecting projects to the organization's mission, vision, and values. The theme of the course is applying key project management tools and techniques, through case-based group work, which will help students identify, analyze, and develop practical proposals to real-world issues. Groups select, plan, report, and then present on their project's scope, schedule, cost, risk, quality, and communications elements using tools such as the WBS, network diagram, PERT estimate, Gantt chart (including the use of MS Project), risk register, and heat map. Students also gain familiarity with important new concepts in project management: Agile frameworks, actionable sustainability thinking, and Benefits Realization Management, all of which will be important for their success not only in other graduate courses, but as they lead projects for their organizations so as to provide lasting, triple-bottom-line value. The course is aligned with the latest PMBOK? Guide from the Project Management Institute. [4 credits]
METAD644 Project Risk and Cost Management
Prereq: MET PM100
This course introduces students to macro and micro approaches to project cost estimation. Case studies of both pre-project and in- process estimating examine some of the more common perils of human irrationality associated with project estimation to help develop more sensible, achievable project outcomes. Students learn how to manage both project cost and schedule objectives throughout their projects using the Earned Value and Earned Schedule Measurement Systems. Students then study risk management through an examination of both individual and overall project risk and apply their learnings using advanced risk management software in an actual case study. Students also study project quality management, procurement/contract management, and project ethics and professional conduct using case study scenarios. [4 credits]
Undergraduate Prerequisites: AD 500 or equivalent, stamped approval. - The course provides a detailed examination of the history of e-commerce, along with important concepts related to the ways that businesses can successfully use Internet and Web technology. Students are introduced to the concepts and problems associated with electronic commerce. Topics include comparison of e-commerce procedures, payment mechanisms, applications in different industry sectors, security, the challenges of starting and maintaining an electronic business site, as well as a comparison with traditional business practices. The development of a WordPress-themed website is a minor feature of the course. 4cr. [4 credits]
METAD680 Global Supply Chains
This course covers the quantitative analysis tools to support operations management for a supply chain that is geographically dispersed and culturally diverse. The tools necessary to assure that the products/services are delivered/provided in the quality and timely manner include demand forecasting, inventory and capacity buffer optimization, delayed differentiation, statistical risk pooling, and stochastic inventory optimization. These tools are applied to decisions such as offshoring, multi-country outsourcing, push-pull, reverse supply chains, and risk mitigation. Particular attention is given to sustainability, information technology and digitalization, and creating resiliency. [4 credits]
METAD715 Quantitative and Qualitative Decision-Making
The purpose of this course is to help improve business problem solving and managerial decision-making through the use of quantitative and qualitative decision-making tools and techniques. This course will provide the student with an overview of how decisions are made to solve management problems in the business environment. It introduces the fundamental concepts and methodologies of the decision-making process, problem-solving, decision analysis, data collection, probability distribution, evaluation, and prediction methods. Students will learn how to apply different quantitative and qualitative analytical tools commonly used in business to provide a depth of understanding and support to various decision-making activities within each subject area of management. Through the use of case studies of decisions made by managers in various production and service industries and a business simulation package specifically prepared for this course, the scope and breadth of decision-making in business will be described. [4 credits]
METAD741 The Innovation Process: Developing New Products and Services
Addresses the specifics of new product and service development and fostering innovation and technology to increase performance. Topics include generating and screening initial ideas; assessing user needs and interests; forecasting results; launching, and improving products and programs; bringing innovation to commercial reality. [4 credits]
METCJ632 White-Collar Crime
This course introduces students to the concept of white collar crime as an area of scientific inquiry and theory formation. It critically examines the latest scholarship on the subject by looking at white collar crime through a multiplicity of perspectives and reference points. These range from focus on the offense, offender, legal structure, organizational structure, individual, and organizational behavior, to victimization and guardianship, with special attention on the interaction between these components. The course also assesses the nature, extent, and consequences of white collar crime nationally and internationally. To enhance the understanding of white collar crime in today's Information Technology development, the course will pay special attention to roles of IT including fintech and cryptocurrency connections within white collar crime. It will also introduce rapidly emerging cybercrime issues while discussing various challenges of cybercrime investigation and limited digital forensics tools. Finally, the course examines current criminal justice system efforts at controlling white collar crime. Given the relative ineffectiveness of traditional criminal justice responses, alternative systems of control will be examined, ranging from compliance and regulations, private security, and public opinion, to prevention. Students will visit the websites of various government agencies or professional organizations to explore their functions and their current efforts to fight white collar crimes. Finally, many tangible research- based suggestions will be made regarding actions that organizations and businesses can take to reduce losses accrued due to white collar crime. [4 credits]
METCS555 Foundations of Machine Learning
Formerly titled CS 555 Data Analysis and Visualization with R.
This course provides an overview of the statistical tools most commonly used to process, analyze, and visualize data. Topics include simple linear regression, multiple regression, logistic regression, analysis of variance, and survival analysis. These topics are explored using the statistical package R, with a focus on understanding how to use and interpret output from this software as well as how to visualize results. In each topic area, the methodology, including underlying assumptions and the mechanics of how it all works along with appropriate interpretation of the results, are discussed. Concepts are presented in context of real world examples. Recommended Prerequisite: MET CS 544 or equivalent knowledge, or instructor's consent. [4 credits]
Or choose any other graduate-level course selected from other Administrative Sciences offerings or Metropolitan College departments as well as from other Boston University schools and colleges, with an advisor’s approval.
Irena Vodenska
Professor of Finance; Director, Finance Programs; Chair, Administrative Sciences
PhD, Boston University; MBA, Vanderbilt University; MS, BS, University of Belgrade
Jim Stodder
Visiting Professor of the Practice, Administrative Sciences
PhD, Yale University; MSc, University of Essex; BA, Yale University
Bill McGue
Lecturer, Administrative Sciences; Online Program Coordinator
MS, Boston University; BA, Bentley College
Ivan Julio
Assistant Professor, Administrative Sciences
PhD, University of New Orleans; MSc, Arizona State University; Licentiate in Economics, National University of Córdoba
San Chee
Assistant Professor, Administrative Sciences
MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; MS, Boston University
Alexander Becker
Assistant Professor, Administrative Sciences
Coordinator, Finance Programs
PhD, Boston University; Diplom-Physiker, University of Duisburg-Essen
Getting Started
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