Master's in Finance

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

Meet growing demand for skilled financial experts with an executive 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 executive 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

By the Numbers

30

Max Class Size

Anchor: Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

Executive Master of Science in Finance (MSF)

It's time to take the next step in your financial career – and your financial future. The executive master’s degree in finance (MSF) 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. Between online coursework and the schoolwork you do on campus during residency weekends, by the time you graduate, you will be prepared for advanced roles in finance.

Course Requirements

Core Requirements (30 hours)

Capstone Course (1 hour)

BADM 699 - Capstone (1 hour) or INTR 599 Applied Learning Practicum (1 hour)

*All online students who are seeking to earn this degree must take this course in lieu of INTR 599, in addition to meeting all program degree requirements. Executive format students can substitute the required INTR 599 course in lieu of BADM 699 as part of their program degree requirements.

** Executive format programs have an applied learning component (internship or practicum) that is an integral and essential part of the established curriculum. Due to the applied learning component required for the degree program, Executive format students must enroll in INTR every term of enrollment.

Anchor: Executive Student Resources

Executive students walking toward graduation ceremony

Executive Student Resources

UC's Department of International Graduate Services enjoys providing support resources for our international students. Find tutorials and information regarding offices and policies for the International Graduate Students and programs.

View Executive Student Resources

Executive Program Format

Our Executive Programs include hybrid course days designed for international graduate students studying in the U.S., or domestic students seeking a hybrid-format program. We strive to incorporate professional experience and real-world application of course curriculum into our programs to enhance the learning experience. Practical Training is an integral part of program coursework and available to all students. At the University of the Cumberlands our degree programs focus on quality education at an affordable price.

Executive Program students take three (3) courses per semester. The program semester is based on the existing UC semester calendar, with three (3) annual semesters: fall, spring, and summer. Two of the courses each semester focus on the specific program content. Additionally, students will be required to attend an intensive residency weekend as part of their course enrollment each term. The third class includes an Applied Learning Practicum, in which students apply what they are learning in their other two courses to the real world via work or internship experiences.

Residency FAQs

What are the residency weekend dates?

Residency Session dates are determined by the course that you are registered for. It is very important that you make note of the class you registered for, as well as the designated residency weekend for that course as each course will only meet one weekend for the duration of the semester.

Will I attend residency sessions for the same amount of time?

Even though we will only be meeting one weekend per semester, we will have the same number of contact hours with you. This will enable the instructors to make residency weekends much more valuable. This change will allow us to have meaningful projects on residency weekends.

How do I know which residency to go to?

You can view your semester schedule in your self-service portal in your Student Profile. Once you log into your MyUC account, click on Academics, then click on Current Schedule. Your schedule details will indicate the date and location of your residency weekend.

You can find information on the residency site locations on our website.

Are all three days mandatory?

Yes, all three days are mandatory, and requests to arrive late or leave early will not be approved. Should you not be in attendance for the full session, you will be counted absent for the entire session. Please plan travel accordingly!

What is UC's residency attendance policy?

Attendance to each executive residency class session is mandatory. Students may make up no more than one (1) residency session throughout the duration of their academic program. Missing a second residency will result in the student being dismissed from the university.

A missed session will result in the student attending a make-up session, and paying a $300 residency make-up fee. In addition, the student may be asked for documentation from the program department providing an explanation as to why the scheduled residency session was missed. Make-up sessions must be completed prior to the end of the term. Noncompliance with this policy will result in dismissal from the executive program.

Make-up residency sessions – where are they?

Make-up residency sessions will be held at our campus in Williamsburg, KY. You will be contacted with the time and dates after your absence is reported. There will only be one (1) residency make-up session offered each semester. Failure to attend all days of the makeup session will result in receiving a failing grade for the course, as well as potential dismissal from the University, and SEVIS termination.

What if I can't be there all three days?

If you cannot be in attendance for all three days then you will be counted absent for the entire residency weekend and be required to attend the make-up residency and pay the $300 make-up fee.

When can I register for the next semester?

The Department of International Graduate Services will contact you via your UC student email as registration for the next term approaches. Please remember that you are required to register for (one) main class, (one) online class, and Applied Learning Practicum each semester in order to maintain your F1 status – late registration will not be accepted and can result in the termination of your student status.

Once you register for a class you will want to make note of the residency weekend that your class is scheduled, as that is the only session for that class that will be scheduled for the semester. You will need to be sure to plan your travel accordingly to ensure that you are in attendance for the full residency session.

Registration is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once a course is full, there will not be additional seats added, as we cannot exceed classroom seating capacity; therefore, it is advised that you register for classes as much in advance as possible. As a reminder, students cannot register for future semesters until their current tuition balance is paid in full.

When will facilities be available to me on residency weekends?

*Please note all times are in local time zone*

Friday

Facility will open at 4:00 p.m.

Saturday

Facility will open at 7:00 a.m.

Sunday

Facility will open at 7:00 a.m.

We ask that you please take note of the above-mentioned times and schedule your travel accordingly.

When will residency sessions be in the future?

*These dates have been set; however, if any changes are made, they will be made prior to registration for that semester. Not all dates are available at each residency location.

Fall 2023 (August 28 – December 15)

Spring 2024 (January 8th – April 26th)

Summer 2024 (May 6th – August 23rd)

Fall 2024 (August 26th – December 13th)

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission & Goals

Perform sophisticated financial analyses using the appropriate financial tools, techniques, and technologies pertinent to a range of financial issues.

Demonstrate advanced knowledge of present-day financial theories and practices.

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: Career Outcomes

Finance Careers & Outcomes

Financial Analyst: $96,220

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

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 analysts help public and private organizations plan their finances.

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 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

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

What do financial analysts and planners do?

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

How will an executive master's degree help advance my career?

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 an executive master's program should be the most competitive for job opportunities.

Will I make more money with an executive MSF?

Earning an executive 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.

How can earning an executive master's open up more opportunities for me?

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.

Where can I learn about tuition?

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.

How do online classes work at Cumberlands?

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.