Finance

The Pennsylvania State University offers a comprehensive and rigorous Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, designed to equip students with the essential knowledge and skills needed to excel in the dynamic world of financial management. This program provides a strong foundation in core financial principles, including corporate finance, investment analysis, financial markets and institutions, and risk management. Students will delve into the theoretical frameworks that underpin financial decision-making while gaining practical skills through case studies, hands-on projects, and access to cutting-edge financial software.

Throughout the program, students have the opportunity to explore specialized areas such as securities analysis, portfolio management, behavioral finance, international finance, and financial planning. The curriculum emphasizes analytical thinking, quantitative methods, and ethical considerations, preparing graduates for careers in investment banking, asset management, financial consulting, corporate finance, and other related fields. The program incorporates experiential learning opportunities, including internships and cooperative education experiences, allowing students to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings and build valuable professional networks.

The Penn State Finance program is supported by a distinguished faculty with extensive industry experience and academic expertise, ensuring that students receive a high-quality education that is both current and relevant. The university's extensive alumni network and connections with the financial industry provide students with access to mentorship, job placement services, and industry events, enhancing their career prospects upon graduation. Graduates of the program are well-prepared to pursue advanced degrees in finance or related disciplines or to immediately assume roles in the competitive financial sector. With a commitment to academic excellence and practical application, the Pennsylvania State University’s Finance degree offers an ideal pathway for students aspiring to become future leaders in the financial industry.

Thirty (30) credits are required to complete the M.Fin. degree. The course work includes six required core courses (18 credit hours) which provide a body of knowledge in finance; three elective courses (9 credit hours) designed to help students develop additional expertise in corporate finance or investments; and a capstone course (3 credit hours) which provides a culminating experience for students.

The required courses provide a quantitative and analytical foundation in finance. They include:

CORE COURSES:

• ACCTG 512 Financial Accounting Theory and Reporting Problems
• BUSAD 525 Quantitative Methods in Finance
• BUSAD 526 Current Issues in Corporate Finance
• FIN 505 Multinational Managerial Finance
• FIN 508 Analysis of Financial Markets
• FIN 513 Speculative Markets

The required capstone course, BUSAD 585 Research in Security Valuation, provides a culminating experience for students to develop their analytical ability, their synthesis of material, and their ability to identify strategies that enhance value creation, building upon their knowledge acquired from the core courses.

The electives allow students to focus in a selected field of finance such as corporate financial management or investment management. The exact elective courses to be offered for a cohort will be determined by the professor-in-charge based on polls taken from each cohort class and on consultation with the faculty who are teaching elective courses.

Students may enroll in the Master of Finance program at the Great Valley Campus, taking courses in a face-to-face and blended format. Or students may enroll in the online Master of Finance program. A one-week residency at Great Valley is required as part of the online progam.

International applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the internet-based test. Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 18 may be considered for provisional admission, which requires an institutional test of English proficiency upon first enrollment and, if necessary, remedial course work. The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5.

International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement who have received a baccalaureate or a graduate degree from a college/university./institution in any of the following:Australia, Belize, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the United States, and Wales. For admission to the Graduate School, U.S. applicants must have received, from a regionally accredited institution, a bachelor's degree with requirements substantially equivalent to those at Penn State. (Penn State is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.) International applicants must have a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree to apply for admission. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates. 

Applicants should:

1. Have a 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) junior/senior grade-poiont average.
2. Submit a completed online application.
3. Submit a GMAT or GRE score. Applicants holding an MBA, JD, Ph.D., CPA, or CFA or doctoral degree are not required to submit standardized test scores.
4. Submit a statement of intent or career path objective (one page).
5. Submit two confidential evaluation form letters.
6. Submit two official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
   International applicants must submit official university records (transcripts/marksheets and diploma if date conferred does not appear on transcripts/marksheets), with attested English translations if the record is not in English.Notarized copies are not sufficient.
7. Submit a current resume.
8. Submit a visa application document if they are in the U.S. on a student or work visa.
9. Complete an admissions interview (by telephone or in person).

Admission decisions are based on the quality of the applicant's credentials and an interview in relation to those of other applicants who meet the requirements for admission outlined above.

Application Filing Dates: Applications to the Penn State Great Valley's Master of Finance program are reviewed on a rolling basis. New students are admitted to a cohort and begin their studies in early January.

Scholarships

Assistantships

The most common form of graduate support, teaching and research assistantships, include a stipend, tuition remission, and a subsidy for medical insurance. Recipients are assigned to a faculty adviser who supervises the experience. Graduate assistants support undergraduate instruction or undertake research projects. A specified time commitment of 10-30 hours per week is required depending on the unit (a half-time/20 hour per week commitment is typical). Appointments are available only to graduate students who are registered for courses and enrolled in degree programs.

Fellowships

Fellowships are highly prestigious financial support packages that typically include a stipend, tuition remission, and a subsidy for medical insurance. They derive from University or outside awards. Unlike assistantships, they do not have a required work commitment; they are duty-free. Recipients must be enrolled in degree programs and be registered full time. Fellowship recipients are not permitted to accept employment without obtaining approval from the unit and/or agency supporting the fellowship.

Traineeships

Training grants are derived from agencies outside the University and are intended to support specific student learning experiences in core curricular areas and research methods. Institutional awards, typically under the direction of a faculty principal investigator, afford funding to support selected students with stipends, tuition grants-in-aid, and often include a subsidy for medical insurance.

The Pennsylvania State University offers a comprehensive Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Finance through its Smeal College of Business. This program is designed to prepare students for successful careers in various financial sectors, including corporate finance, investment banking, asset management, financial planning, and risk management. The curriculum emphasizes a strong foundation in financial theories, quantitative skills, and practical applications. Students undertake core courses such as Principles of Finance, Financial Statement Analysis, Investment Analysis, Financial Markets and Institutions, and Corporate Finance. These courses are complemented by electives that allow students to specialize in areas like real estate finance, financial modeling, or international finance.

The program also integrates experiential learning opportunities, including internships, cooperative education (co-op) programs, and involvement in finance clubs and competitions. Such activities enable students to gain real-world experience, develop professional networks, and enhance their employment prospects upon graduation. The university’s extensive alumni network and strong industry connections provide students with access to mentorship, job placements, and industry insights.

Students enrolled in the Finance program benefit from the university’s state-of-the-art facilities, including dedicated finance labs and access to financial databases and software such as Bloomberg Terminals and FactSet. The faculty comprises accomplished researchers and practitioners dedicated to delivering high-quality education and supporting student success. The program promotes the development of analytical thinking, ethical judgment, and effective communication skills, which are essential for leadership roles in finance.

The Smeal College of Business also emphasizes global perspectives and ethical considerations in financial decision-making. Students are encouraged to participate in study-abroad programs, workshops, and seminars that broaden their understanding of international markets and financial regulations. Upon graduation, students earn a Bachelor of Science in Finance, qualifying them for entry-level positions in financial services or for continuing their education in graduate programs such as an MBA or master's in finance.

The program's goal is to produce graduates who are well-equipped with technical skills, industry knowledge, and ethical standards necessary to thrive in the dynamic financial landscape. The program aligns with both academic research and industry practices, helping students to adapt to the evolving demands of global finance sectors. Overall, the Penn State Finance program aims to develop competent, ethical, and innovative financial professionals ready to make meaningful contributions to their organizations and communities.