Program: Finance, MS - Hofstra University

Apr 08, 2025

2020-2021 Graduate Studies Bulletin

Offered by the Department of Finance , the Master of Science in Finance offers advanced financial instruction that provides a strong conceptual understanding of finance and develops students’ analytical abilities. Candidates come with interests in such areas as corporate finance, investments, international finance, and financial institutions. Students choose one of two concentrations: Financial and Risk Management or Investment Analysis.

In addition to satisfying the residency requirements for MS programs (see below), students admitted into the MS in finance program should have completed appropriate college-level course work in financial accounting (3 s.h.), microeconomics (3 s.h.), and macroeconomics (3 s.h.). Students lacking one or more of these admission requirements will be able to satisfy them by taking courses at Hofstra (which will not count toward the program requirements). Specifically, students not satisfying the accounting requirement must take ACCT 203 , and students not satisfying the economics requirement must take ECO 200 . Students who do not satisfy the residency requirement for statistics must take the statistics workshop, MBA 204W , and BAN 203 .

MS in finance students are encouraged to complete Bloomberg Essentials prior to completion of their degree. No degree credit is given for Bloomberg Essentials, nor is tuition charged. Students who would like additional information should contact the department chairperson.

Requirements for MS Programs

Residency Requirements

Residency workshops cover library information resources, calculus for business applications, information technology, and statistics for business applications respectively. Full-time students must complete them during the first semester in which they begin. Part-time students must complete them within the first two semesters. Documentation of completion must be submitted to the Graduate Programs Office in order for students to register for the subsequent semester. The calculus for business applications, information technology, and statistics for business applications workshops may be satisfied through previous equivalent undergraduate or graduate course work taken within a specific time frame with a B or better grade at an accredited college or university or through satisfactory performance on a proficiency examination administered by the appropriate department within the Frank G. Zarb School of Business . Students will receive with their letter of admission information about which residency requirements, if any, have been met through prior course work.

The following resource is required of all students:

MBA 207R - Library Resource Utilization Semester Hours: No credit

The following Workshops may be required depending upon academic preparation: (No credit)

MBA 202W - Information Technology Semester Hours: No credit
MBA 203W - Calculus for Business Applications Semester Hours: No credit
*(Students enrolled in the MS programs in accounting , taxation and marketing are not required to take this workshop.)
MBA 204W - Statistics for Business Applications Semester Hours: No credit

*English Proficiency Requirement is for international students

In addition, newly admitted international students are required to take an English placement exam during fall and spring orientation. The exam consists of a short writing task on a topic of general interest and a standardized test including listening comprehension, grammar and reading comprehension. Results are reviewed by the Hofstra English Language Program (ELP) faculty, who make the decision if students must take ELP 235 (2.0 s.h.). All international students who are placed in ELP 235 (2.0 s.h.) must complete the course during the first semester in which they begin an MBA/MS program and must receive a grade of P (Pass). ELP 235 (2.0 s.h.) will carry no degree credit. A fee equivalent to 2.0 s.h. is charged for this course. A grade of P (pass) is required or the course has to be repeated the following semester. The same fee equivalent will be charged for the repeated course.

Program Requirements – Semester Hours: 30

See Requirements for MS Programs (above).

Students choose one of the following concentrations:

Concentration in Financial and Risk Management

FIN 203 - Managerial Finance Semester Hours: 3
FIN 205 - Investments Semester Hours: 3
FIN 206 - Financial Analysis and Planning Semester Hours: 3
(With permission of department chairperson, MS in finance students may take ACCT 218 in lieu of FIN 206.)
FIN 209 - Corporate Financial Policy Semester Hours: 3
FIN 222 - Risk Management in Financial Institutions Semester Hours: 3
FIN 235 - Advanced Statistical Modeling in Finance Semester Hours: 3
(same as BAN 235 )
FIN 265 - Derivatives Markets Semester Hours: 3
FIN 309 - Research Seminar in Finance Semester Hours: 3

Two of the following courses, selected under advisement, 6 s.h.

FIN 212 - International Financial Management Semester Hours: 3
FIN 225 - Investment Banking Semester Hours: 3
FIN 226 - Advanced Applications in Risk Management Semester Hours: 3
FIN 266 - Advanced Derivatives Markets Semester Hours: 3

Concentration in Investment Analysis

FIN 203 - Managerial Finance Semester Hours: 3
FIN 205 - Investments Semester Hours: 3
FIN 206 - Financial Analysis and Planning Semester Hours: 3
(With permission of department chairperson, MS in finance students may take ACCT 218 in lieu of FIN 206.)
FIN 210 - Portfolio Management Semester Hours: 3
FIN 235 - Advanced Statistical Modeling in Finance Semester Hours: 3
(same as BAN 235 )
FIN 265 - Derivatives Markets Semester Hours: 3
FIN 309 - Research Seminar in Finance Semester Hours: 3

Three of the following courses, selected under advisement - Semester Hours: 9

FIN 240 - Technical Analysis Semester Hours: 3
FIN 263 - Fixed Income Markets Semester Hours: 3
FIN 266 - Advanced Derivatives Markets Semester Hours: 3
FIN 220 - Real Estate Finance Semester Hours: 3
or
FIN 221 - Real Estate Investment Semester Hours: 3
or
FIN 223 - Real Estate Economics Semester Hours: 3

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