Prepare to provide guidance on financial decisions made by households and businesses alike.

Meet growing demand for skilled financial experts with an online master’s degree in finance. This program focuses on the expertise needed to become a competent financial professional who is both knowledgeable and astute in the various areas of financial practice. The online master’s in finance at University of the Cumberlands is designed to equip you with the analytic skills and theoretical tools required for a wide range of careers in the world of finance. The program’s rigorous, yet flexible, cutting-edge curriculum and expert faculty will provide the foundational knowledge and research methodology you need to master practical issues in finance, and they'll prepare you to earn some of the most popular financial certifications, such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

Anchor: Stats
Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

Master of Science in Finance (MSF)

It's time to take the next step in your financial career – and your financial future. The online master’s degree in finance at University of the Cumberlands is intended for working professionals seeking the advanced credentials and expertise required to achieve long-term success. Designed for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in business or a relevant field, the program will build on your past experience and business acumen to help you prepare for new challenges.

The program coursework is designed with illustrative case studies, participatory simulations, and computerized finance models that provide a thorough understanding of present-day financial theories and practices that are vital to the financial industry. 

Course Requirements

BACC681 - Financial Accounting & Analysis 
BADM682 - Quantitative Methods for Finance 
BADM683 - Financial Services, Regulation, & Ethics 
BADM684 - Financial Modeling & Valuation 
BADM685 - Economics Analysis for Decision Making 
BADM686 - Corporate Finance 
BADM687 - Financial Planning & Wealth Management 
BADM688 - Big Data & Financial Analytics
BADM689 - Global Capital Markets & International Finance
BADM691 - Capstone - Strategic Financial Management 
BADM 699 - Capstone 

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission & Goals

The mission of the Plaster Graduate School of Business is to foster academic excellence and student achievement at the graduate level. Through this program, you'll be able to:

Demonstrate advanced knowledge of present-day financial theories and practices.
Perform sophisticated financial analyses using the appropriate financial tools, techniques, and technologies pertinent to a range of financial issues.
Conduct rigorous research and apply research-based strategies that integrate theory and practical applications across business functional areas in the context of overall business operations.
Apply the standards of ethical reasoning skills and behavior to ethical issues in the financial profession and practice.
Work in a team environment and effectively communicate recommendations of financial analyses guided by high professional standards.
Anchor: Careers & Outcomes

Finance Careers & Outcomes

*All stats from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

Financial Analyst: $96,220

Financial Analyst: $96,220

Financial analysts guide businesses and individuals in decisions about expending money to attain profit.

Financial Manager: $139,790

Financial Manager: $139,790

Financial managers create financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization.

Budget Analyst: $82,260

Budget Analyst: $82,260

Budget analysts help public and private organizations plan their finances.

Personal Financial Advisor: $95,390

Personal Financial Advisor: $95,390

Personal financial advisors provide advice to help individuals manage their money and plan for their financial future.

Cost Estimator: $71,200

Cost Estimator: $71,200

Cost estimators collect and analyze data in order to assess the time, money, materials, and labor required to make a product or provide a service.

Economist: $113,940

Economist: $113,940

Economists conduct research, prepare reports, and evaluate issues related to monetary and fiscal policy. They also may collect and analyze statistical data.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

At a basic level, they help businesses and individuals better understand their finances and reach their long-term financial goals. This can include things like:

  • Consulting with clients to determine their goals and then helping them make appropriate risk management and investment decisions
  • Advising clients on building a portfolio
  • Helping to determine a working budget 
  • Evaluating current and historic financial data as well as economic and business trends

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, candidates for specialized financial analyst roles will have the best job prospects if they earn an advanced degree along with an appropriate certification. Similarly, financial advisors that are graduates of a master's program should be the most competitive for job opportunities.

Earning a master’s in finance can help you prepare for high-paying roles. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the highest 15 percent of financial analysts earned more than $131,710 annually as of 2021. 

Demand for financial analysts is projected to grow by 6 percent from 2020 to 2030, higher than the average for all professions. Despite this projected growth, there are still more people interested in entering the field than there are positions available. Having a graduate degree and certification can greatly increase your chance of employment.

Costs for programs of study at University of the Cumberlands are competitive and affordable. Visit our Affordable For All page for more information on tuition rates.

Each course lasts eight weeks, called a bi-term. There are two bi-terms per semester, and three semesters per year (fall, spring, and summer). Many classes are asynchronous, meaning there is no set login time; you can work on schoolwork whenever you find time. Cumberlands provides free rental textbooks to online students as part of its One Price Promise. 

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts

Learn more about the professors you will interact with in this program.

Dr. Karina Kasztelnik

Dr. Karina Kasztelnik

Adjunct Professor
Business Administration

Dr. Karina Kasztelnik

Contact Information

karina.kasztelnik [at] ucumberlands.edu
Remote
Dr. Tom Javarinis

Dr. Tom Javarinis

Adjunct Professor
Business Administration

Dr. Tom Javarinis

Contact Information

tom.javarinis [at] ucumberlands.edu
Remote
Vanessa Ann Claus

Dr. Vanessa Claus

Adjunct Professor
Business Administration

Dr. Vanessa Claus

Contact Information

vanessa.claus [at] ucumberlands.edu
Remote

Program Accreditation

The Hutton School of Business at University of the Cumberlands has received specialized accreditations for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please refer to our IACBE member status page.

Please review our Public Disclosure of Student Achievement.

 

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