Finance (MS)

Graduate Program
Graduate Program
Overview
Become an analytically driven finance professional by pursuing your Master of Science in Finance (MSF) at Xavier University.
Xavier’s MSF program offers accelerated, flexible pathways to deepen your expertise in corporate finance, financial modeling, fintech and data-driven decision-making. Through rigorous coursework and hands-on experience with Bloomberg and CapIQ, you’ll master the analytical and leadership skills needed to make ethical, high-impact decisions in an evolving financial landscape.
Admission
Admission to Xavier’s Master of Science in Finance is selective. This degree program offers both full-time and part-time tracks, with classes starting in the Fall semester each academic year.

While there are no formal application deadlines, we recommend applying by August 1 to ensure timely processing of your application and course registration.

To be considered for admission into the Master of Science in Finance program, please submit the following materials:

  • Completed application.
  • A personal statement discussing your interest in Xavier University and finance.
  • A current résumé documenting your work experience. The personal statement and résumé are uploaded to the application system.
  • Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended sent directly from the institution; electronic transcripts are also accepted. Email transcript submissions to xuadmit@xavier.edu.
  • Two letters of recommendation are requested and submitted through the application system.
  • GMAT/GRE test score (optional)

Please have all application materials sent directly to:

Xavier University
ATTN: Admission Processing Center
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45207-3221

Once the Admission Committee receives all your application materials, their review begins.

Candidates must receive a "C" or better in the prerequisites for the courses to be waived.

MSF Program Prerequisites include

  • Introductory Financial Accounting
  • Business Finance
  • Quantitative Methods
  • An Excel knowledge course

Candidates must have completed the prerequisites in the past 5 years OR work part- or full-time in a related field.

Candidates must have completed the courses at an AACSB accredited university.

Curriculum
The 30-credit-hour curriculum combines rigorous coursework with experiential learning opportunities, including the use of professional financial platforms, hands-on modeling, and applied projects. Courses are delivered in an accelerated format that allows students to complete the program in as little as nine months.

Fall Semester

  • FINC 600: Managerial Finance
  • MSBA 689: Data Visualization & Storytelling
  • FINC 632: International Finance
  • FINC 601: Professional Communication & Investor Relations
  • FINC 684: Financial Modeling

Spring Semester

  • FINC 645: Mergers & Acquisitions
  • FINC 678: Money, Blockchain, & Digital Finance
  • FINC 699: From Principles to Practice: Jesuit Ethics
  • MGMT 654: Project Management
  • BUAD 690: Corporate Governance
  • BUAD 694: Bond Portfolio Management (Capstone)

Year 1: Fall Semester

  • FINC 600: Managerial Finance
  • FINC 601: Professional Communication & Investor Relations
  • FINC 684: Financial Modeling

Year 1: Spring Semester

  • FINC 678: Money, Blockchain & Digital Finance
  • BUAD 690: Corporate Governance
  • FINC 699: From Principles to Practice: Jesuit Ethics

Year 2: Fall Semester

  • MSBA 689: Data Visualization & Storytelling
  • FINC 632: International Finance

Year 2: Spring Semester

  • FINC 645: Mergers & Acquisitions
  • MGMT 654: Project Management
  • BUAD 694: Bond Portfolio Management (Capstone)

The sample course sequence above illustrates class offerings for the Finance (MS) major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.

Sample Courses

FINC 601: Professional Communication and Investor Relations

This course prepares students to effectively communicate financial information and strategies to diverse stakeholders, including investors, analysts, and executives. The course focuses on crafting clear, persuasive messages, managing investor relations, and building trust through transparent and strategic financial communication.

FINC 645: Mergers & Acquisitions

This course examines mergers & acquisitions as a means of enterprise value creation and outlines several key topics including M&A corporate strategy, due diligence, financing and accounting decisions, valuation methodologies, transaction structures, restructuring options, and takeover defense and integration.

FINC 684: Financial Modeling

This course uses Excel spreadsheet modeling and analysis to examine advanced corporate finance topics including capital budgeting, equity and bond valuation, capital structure, capital rationing, pro forma analysis, and sensitivity analysis.

FINC 678: Money, Blockchain, and Digital Finance

This course provides students with an introduction to the evolving world of financial technology (FinTech) beginning from first principles and building toward cutting-edge innovations.

MSBA 689: Data Visualization and Storytelling

This course teaches students key design principles and techniques to interactively visualize data and compress large volumes of data into digestible presentations and to observe streaming data in motion.

BUAD 694: Bond Portfolio Management

This course reinforces experiential learning as students manage a portion of Xavier’s endowment through Victory Parkway Investments, an approximately $1.7 million fixed-income fund.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition

  • MS in Finance..............$966

Fees

  • Student ID Fee..............$15
  • Graduate Student Association Fee, degree-seeking full-time..............$15 (per semester)
  • Graduate Student Association Fee, degree-seeking part-time..............$10 (per semester)
The amounts listed are for the 2026-2027 academic year, and include classes from Fall 2026 through Summer 2027. Tuition cost is per credit hour unless otherwise stated.
For the full, official listing, please visit xavier.edu/costs.
Xavier University reserves the right to correct any computational or clerical errors.
30
Credit Hours
1-2
Year Program

Why Xavier's Master's in Finance Program?

Nationally Recognized for Excellence

The MS in Finance program is taught by distinguished faculty from the Finance Department and other areas within the Williams College of Business — all of which have earned national recognition.

STEM-Certified Master’s Degree

This designation allows international students to extend their Optional Practical Training (OPT) for up to three years, providing them with greater opportunities to advance their careers and gain valuable professional experience in the U.S.

Leverage Valuable Real-World Experience

Set yourself up for success and join a network of 18,000+ graduates. Through our strong industry partnerships, students gain invaluable, hands-on experience working with real-world financial data and applying corporate finance strategies.

Receive an Unparalleled Jesuit Education

Our program equips you with the technical expertise and ethical mindset to thrive in today’s financial landscape. Here, you’ll develop the expertise and perspective needed to navigate complex decisions and drive responsible outcomes.

Faculty Spotlight
Kimberly Renners, MBA, CPA

Get to know Kimberly Renners, Senior Teaching Professor and Director of the Fifth Third Trading Center.

Elite Facilities
Fifth Third Trading Center

Gain practical, real-world skills in the Fifth Third Trading Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to replicate a Wall Street trading floor.

FAQ

Graduates of Xavier’s MSF program are prepared for roles in corporate finance, financial analysis, commercial banking, and financial consulting. The program’s focus on corporate financial management, financial modeling, governance, fintech, and professional communication equips students with the analytical, technical, and leadership skills needed to support strategic decision-making across a wide range of organizations.

Yes, our MSF program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This is a prestigious accreditation that signifies the high quality of the program's curriculum, faculty and overall educational experience.

The MSF is a hybrid program, combining both in-person and online learning. Approximately 70% of the coursework is delivered in-person, while the remaining 30% is completed online. This format offers flexibility for students while still providing a significant amount of face-to-face interaction with faculty and peers.

In-person classes will be held at Xavier's campus in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Xavier offers flexible full-time and part-time pathways for students in the MS in Finance program. Full-time students can complete the 30-credit-hour program in as little as 9 months, while part-time students may progress at a more flexible pace based on their schedule.

Yes. To ensure students are prepared for the rigorous, quantitative curriculum, applicants should have completed foundational coursework in financial accounting, business finance, and quantitative methods, along with working knowledge of Excel.

At Xavier's Williams College of Business (WCB), we are invested in the education of our students. We offer academic scholarships to recognize students for their achievements, and to make higher education accessible to a large population.
AACSB Accredited Logo

Finance (MS) Program at Xavier University

As financial markets evolve and technology reshapes decision-making, the demand for analytical and ethically grounded finance professionals continues to grow. By earning your Master of Science in Finance at Xavier, you’ll engage in a rigorous, career-focused curriculum designed to deepen your expertise in corporate finance, financial modeling, and fintech. Prepare for a meaningful career while expanding your professional network in Xavier’s MSF program. Apply today!

Xavier University's Williams College of Business is accredited by the AACSB. AACSB-accredited schools offer students a relevant and challenging curriculum, the highest quality faculty and career opportunities that are not found at other business schools.

Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."