Master of Finance - Academics

Curriculum
The academic environment at the Smith School is rigorous. As a Master of Finance (MFin) student, you are required to complete a total of 30 credit hours. The Master of Finance curriculum has two components: core classes and electives. All core courses are required for all students.

Core Courses 
BUFN 740: Capital Markets
BUFN 750: Valuation in Corporate Finance
BUFN 758N: Financial Econometrics I
BUFN 758O: Financial Econometrics II
BUFN 761: Derivative Securities
BUSI 610: Financial Accounting (optional)
BUSI 640: Financial Management

Electives

Electives offered are based on faculty availability and student interest; electives offered for incoming students may include:

  • BUFN 751: Financial Strategy for Corporations
  • BUFN 752: Financial Restructuring
  • BUFN 753: Corporate Governance
  • BUFN 754: Corporate Risk Management
  • BUFN 755: Entrepreneurial Finance and Private Equity
  • BUFN 760: Applied Equity Analysis
  • BUFN 762: Fixed Income
  • BUFN 763: Portfolio Management
  • BUFN 764: Quantitative Investment Strategies
  • BUFN 765: Fixed Income Derivatives
  • BUFN 766: Financial Engineering
  • BUFN 770: International Investment
  • BUFN 771: International Corporate and Project Finance
  • BUFN 772: Bank Management
  • BUFN 773: Institutional Asset Management
  • BUFN XXX: Current Topics in Finance (4 credits)
  • BUFN XXX: Introduction to Market Microstructure
  • BUFN XXX: Special Topics in Asset Management (4 credits)
  • BUFN XXX: Special Topics in Corporate Finance (4 credits)
  • BUFN XXX: Special Topics in Risk Management (4 credits)


Registration
Registration will take place in mid-June. Students have a pre-determined set of courses that they will take in their first semester. These core courses will build the foundation for the remainder of the curriculum in the MFin program. 

Books
Students typically order their books and course packs during the first week in August. Once you are registered for your courses, a Canvas site will be available for you to view. This site will list any required textbooks on the syllabus. Students can also locate their books at the University Book Center (UBC) in Stamp Student Union. The UBC also allows you to pre-order your books based on your course schedule. More information regarding purchasing textbooks will be available during the registration period. 

Policies and Procedures
Course Waivers
All MFin students are required to fulfill all core course requirements. Master of Finance core course requirements follow a strict no waiver policy with the following two exceptions: 1) Students with previous experience in financial accounting are eligible to waive BUSI 610 and 2) waiver examinations are offered to incoming students for BUSI 640. The exam is held for incoming students in the fall of their first year only. If a student is granted a course waiver, that course must be replaced with another course of equal or greater credit hours. Course waiver details will be provided with your registration information

Policy on Academic Standards
All graduate students are expected to be in good standing in order to maintain enrollment in the program. Good standing is defined as a 3.0 GPA. Master of Finance students with an overall GPA below 3.0 at any time will be academically dismissed and any current registration will be canceled. 

Grading System

Grade

GPA 
Equivalent

A+

4.0

A

4.0

A-

3.7

B+

3.3

B

3.0

B-

2.7

C+

2.3

C

2.0

C-

1.7

D+

1.3

D

1.0

D-

0.7

F

0.0

 

A+, A

above standard; exceeds expectations (4.0)

A-, B+, B

satisfactory in all respects; meets expected standards (3.7 - 3.0)

B-, C+, C, C-

below standard but earns graduate credit (2.7 - 1.7)

D+, D, D-

poor; no credit earned - course must be repeated (1.3 - 1.0)

F

failure; no credit earned (0.0)

I

incomplete; up to faculty to use in special circumstances; (Terms are established between the faculty and students to complete the work, with a grade being given no later than one semester after the "I" was received. Students on academic probation may not receive an "I.")



Campus Advisor
Your Advisor from the Masters Programs Office will begin sending you email communications in June. Your Advisor will provide assistance with registration, orientation, course scheduling, graduation, quality of instruction, and academic progression. Contact information for your Advisor will be available in June. 

Academic Integrity
The Smith School recognizes honesty and integrity as necessary cornerstones to the pursuit of excellence in academic and professional business activities. Ultimately, the viability of a business depends on the integrity and the capabilities of its members. Thus, the Smith community embraces and supports the code of academic integrity administered by the student honor council in preparing its future leaders to uphold the highest ethical standards in academic, professional and personal endeavors. Students should familiarize themselves with the honor code and policies regarding cheating on exams, unauthorized collusion on assignments, and plagiarism before beginning classes. 

Student Honor Council at the University of Maryland: http://shc.umd.edu/SHC/Default.aspx.