Master of Science in Finance Online

Business may run on numbers, but it relies on people who can build and analyze sophisticated models to translate financial figures into bold insights and innovative strategies. The finance professionals who have a firm grasp of the technical skills and practices of finance have the singular ability to clearly deliver contemporary solutions in all facets of management and finance.

The Online Master of Science in Finance (MSF) from William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business has a 30% shorter time to completion than the average MSF program and will give you a deep dive into finance more quickly and thoroughly than a typical MBA. The Online MSF program prepares future CFOs with the quantitative and leadership skills necessary to identify value creation opportunities and assess risk, navigate global challenges, foster change and create value in an ethical manner.

*Online MS in Finance students are invited to join other W&M online students at one of the immersive residency weekends at our Williamsburg campus. Students who attend a residency will earn one additional credit. Read more about the residency weekend experience.

Online Master’s in Finance Program Details

  • 16 Months to Completion
  • 32 Credits
  • 8 Courses
  • 7.5 Weeks Per Course
  • 100% online
  • Optional weekend residency*
  • No GMAT/GRE required
  • 3 starts per year: August, January and May

Invest in Your Future With the Online Master of Science in Finance Program

From a career as a financial manager to the C-suite, you’ll benefit from a strong outlook for financial careers.

17%

Increase in financial manager jobs through 20311

$131,710

median annual pay for financial managers in May 20212

#14

Financial manager ranking in Best Paying Jobs3

#2

Financial manager ranking for Best Business Jobs3

$184,793

Average base annual salary for a CFO4

Where Theory Meets Reality

Get the Hands-on Learning You Need to Succeed

Build essential knowledge you need for a successful finance career with immersive learning experiences that demonstrate practical applications of course materials. Immersive experiences include:

  • Case analysis
  • Strategic-decision making exercises based on the uncertainty of financial models
  • Extensive simulation exercises for authentic experiences in forecasting, modeling, exercising strategic skills and making decisions

Through these experiences, you will build confidence to step into leadership positions and gain knowledge and skills that apply to your work now and in the future. Graduate from this program as a well-rounded financial professional.

What skills will you acquire in the online master's in finance program?

  • Analyzing financial statements
  • Forecasting complete sets of financial statements
  • Preparing three-statement models
  • Pricing securities in modern financial markets
  • Creating value for shareholders
  • Understanding how firms interact with financial markets
  • Building and interpreting valuation models in Excel
  • Portfolio management and investment management in various asset classes
  • Using financial software tools
  • Analyzing individual and organizational behavior
  • Comprehending the homebuying process
  • Programming complex mortgages
  • Generating income from each quadrant of real estate

Course Highlight
Corporate Valuation and Credit Analysis

In this course, you will become familiar with the tools and techniques for valuing corporate investment projects and assets in a wide range of settings. Get hands-on experience in building and interpreting valuation models in Excel, the same models commonly used by corporate financial managers, investment managers and investment bankers.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Analyze the ability of a firm to generate cash flow for investors
  • Apply comparables analysis to estimate the value of a company
  • Evaluate the uses and limitations of comparables analysis
  • Apply various discounted cash flow approaches to estimate the value of a company
  • Evaluate the uses and limitations of various discounted cash flow approaches
  • Analyze the credit quality of a firm
Two professional students in button up shirts looking at financial charts on a computer monitor

Who’s Earning the Online MS in Finance?

Get a snapshot of the people most likely to be in your cohort6:

42%

students of color

11

years of work experience

32%

female

35

average student age

Keep Asking Questions

What skills will I acquire in the master of science in finance online program?

You’ll gain the quantitative and leadership skills necessary to identify value creation opportunities and assess risk, navigate global challenges, foster change and create value in an ethical manner.

You’ll become fluent in:

  • Analyzing financial statements
  • Forecasting complete sets of financial statements
  • Preparing three-statement models
  • Pricing securities in modern financial markets
  • Creating value for shareholders
  • Understanding how firms interact with financial markets
  • Building and interpreting valuation models in Excel
  • Portfolio management and investment management in various asset classes
  • Using financial software tools
  • Analyzing individual and organizational behavior
  • Comprehending the home buying process
  • Programming complex mortgages
  • Generating income from each quadrant of real estate

What can I do with a master’s in finance?

You can expect to have many, varied career options, including in such roles as:

  • Finance officer
  • Forensic accountant
  • Financial analyst
  • Financial manager
  • Portfolio manager
  • Wealth manager
  • Investment banking analyst
  • Finance and insurance manager
  • Actuary
  • Corporate controller
  • Vice president of finance
  • Chief financial officer

What salary can I earn with a master’s in finance?

Salaries for each position will depend on the role, industry and location. As of May 2021, the annual pay for a financial manager was $131,710.2 The average annual base salary for a CFO as of May 2023 was $184,793.4

Interested in Our Online Programs?

Jun
9

Priority Application Deadline

June 9th
Fall 2023 Term
Jul
28

Application Deadline

July 28th
Fall 2023 Term
Aug
28

Next Start

August 28th
Fall 2023 Term
Sources
  1. Retrieved January 19, 2023, from bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm#tab-6
  2. Retrieved January 19, 2023, from bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm
  3. Retrieved January 19, 2023, from money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/financial-manager
  4. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from glassdoor.com/Salaries/chief-financial-officer-salary-SRCH_KO0,23.htm
  5. Retrieved May 4, 2023, from ziprecruiter.com/t/Most-Popular-Types-Of-CFO-Jobs
  6. Based on data from enrolled 2021-2022 cohorts.
Questions? Let’s Connect.