STEM Designation
The MSA/MSF is a dual degree program with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) designation. Due to the demand of graduates with expertise in STEM fields, the Department of Homeland Security permits international students graduating from STEM programs to apply for a 24 month extension of their initial year of Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more detailed information, please visit the ISSO webpage.
MSA/MSF Curriculum
18-20 Courses
52-55 Credits
Program Length:
Required Introductory Course (1 credit)
Must be taken on campus in first semester of program.
| FIN-601 | Introduction to Statistics, Accounting, & Finance Intensive | 1 |
Management Preparation Courses (3 credits)
May be waived.
| MBA-615 | Economics | 1.5 |
| MBA-651 | Financial Management for Business Decisions | 1.5 |
MSA Core Courses (9 credits)
| ACCT-801 | Graduate Financial Accounting II | 3 |
| ACCT-802 | Graduate Financial Accounting III | 3 |
| ACCT-824 | Big Data and Financial Statement Analytics | 3 |
MSA Concentration (9 credits)
Choose a concentration in either Business Analysis and Reporting, Information Systems and Controls, or Tax Compliance and Planning. To declare a concentration, students must submit an SBS Graduate Program Concentration Request Form. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor before they declare a concentration.
Business Analysis and Reporting
| ACCT-803 | Advanced Topics in Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT-871 | Not-For-Profit and Governmental Accounting | 3 |
| ACIB-872 | International Accounting | 3 |
Information Systems and Controls
Tax Compliance and Planning
MSF Core Courses (15 credits)
| FIN-800 | Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation | 3 |
| FIN-808 | General Theory in Corporate Finance | 3 |
| FIN-810 | Investment Analysis | 3 |
| FIN-814 | Options and Futures | 3 |
| FIN-818 | Financial Econometrics | 3 |
Capstone Courses (6 credits)
Courses should be taken as late in the program as possible.
Elective Requirements (12 Credits)
Choose four (4) elective courses from the approved MSF electives list.
Students may declare a concentration in Corporate Finance, Financial Services and Banking, FinTech, Investments or Risk Management. If a concentration in Corporate Finance or Investments is declared, three electives must be in one concentration area.
If a concentration in Financial Services and Banking is declared students must complete FIN-816 and two approved Financial Services and Banking electives. If a concentration in FinTech is declared students must complete ISOM-730, FIN-830, one approved FIN elective and one approved ISOM elective. If a concentration in Risk Management is declared students must complete FIN-816, FIN-882 and one approved FIN elective. The schedule of when courses within a concentration are offered vary by semester.
Students who declare a concentration must submit an SBS Graduate Program Concentration Request Form. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor before they declare a concentration
The concentration appears on the transcript, not the diploma.
MSF Concentrations
Corporate Finance Concentration
Choose 3 courses from the following list: (9 credits)
Financial Services and Banking Concentration
Required Course (3 credits)
| FIN-816 | Risk Management in Banking and Finance | 3 |
Choose 2 courses from the following list: (6 credits)
FinTech Concentration
Required Courses (6 credits)
Finance Elective Course (1 course, 3 credits) Take one from the following list of electives:
ISOM Elective (1 course, 3 credits) Take one from the following list of electives:
| ISOM-801 | Solving Business Problems Using Advanced Excel | 3 |
| ISOM-821 | Data Management and Modeling | 3 |
| ISOM-825 | Enterprise Data Management | 3 |
| ISOM-827 | Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence | 3 |
| ISOM-835 | Predictive Analytics | 3 |
| ISOM-840 | Security and Privacy | 3 |
| ISOM-845 | Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, and Storytelling | 3 |
Investments Concentration
Choose 3 courses from the following list: (9 credits)
Risk Management Concentration
Required Courses (6 credits)
| FIN-816 | Risk Management in Banking and Finance | 3 |
| FIN-882 | Applied Risk Management | 3 |
Elective Course (1 course, 3 credits) Choose one (1) of the following:
Approved Finance Electives
Note: Students wishing to take SBS-920 for an elective in the MSF Program must consult with the MSF Advisor for guidance on how to be considered for this option.
Electives:
MSA/MSF Accounting Essentials Curriculum
20-23 Courses
58-62.5 Credits
Program Length:
Required Introductory Course (1 credit)
Must be taken on campus in first semester of program.
| FIN-601 | Introduction to Statistics, Accounting, & Finance Intensive | 1 |
Management Preparation Courses (4.5 credits)
May be waived.
| MBA-615 | Economics | 1.5 |
| MBA-641 | Financial Information for Business Management | 1.5 |
| MBA-651 | Financial Management for Business Decisions | 1.5 |
MSA Core Courses (24 credits)
MSF Core Courses (15 credits)
| FIN-800 | Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation | 3 |
| FIN-808 | General Theory in Corporate Finance | 3 |
| FIN-810 | Investment Analysis | 3 |
| FIN-814 | Options and Futures | 3 |
| FIN-818 | Financial Econometrics | 3 |
Capstone Courses (6 credits)
Courses should be taken as late in the program as possible.
Elective Requirements (12 Credits)
Choose four (4) elective courses from the approved MSF electives list.
Students may declare a concentration in Corporate Finance, Financial Services and Banking, FinTech, Investments or Risk Management. If a concentration in Corporate Finance or Investments is declared, three electives must be in one concentration area.
If a concentration in Financial Services and Banking is declared students must complete FIN-816 and two approved Financial Services and Banking electives. If a concentration in FinTech is declared students must complete ISOM-730, FIN-830, one approved FIN elective and one approved ISOM elective. If a concentration in Risk Management is declared students must complete FIN-816, FIN-882 and one approved FIN elective. The schedule of when courses within a concentration are offered vary by semester.
Students who declare a concentration must submit an SBS Graduate Program Concentration Request Form. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor before they declare a concentration
The concentration appears on the transcript, not the diploma.
MSF Concentrations
Corporate Finance Concentration
Choose 3 courses from the following list: (9 credits)
Financial Services and Banking Concentration
Required Course (3 credits)
| FIN-816 | Risk Management in Banking and Finance | 3 |
Choose 2 courses from the following list: (6 credits)
FinTech Concentration
Required Courses (6 credits)
Finance Elective Course (1 course, 3 credits) Take one from the following list of electives:
ISOM Elective (1 course, 3 credits) Take one from the following list of electives:
| ISOM-801 | Solving Business Problems Using Advanced Excel | 3 |
| ISOM-821 | Data Management and Modeling | 3 |
| ISOM-825 | Enterprise Data Management | 3 |
| ISOM-827 | Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence | 3 |
| ISOM-835 | Predictive Analytics | 3 |
| ISOM-840 | Security and Privacy | 3 |
| ISOM-845 | Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, and Storytelling | 3 |
Investments Concentration
Choose 3 courses from the following list: (9 credits)
Risk Management Concentration
Required Courses (6 credits)
| FIN-816 | Risk Management in Banking and Finance | 3 |
| FIN-882 | Applied Risk Management | 3 |
Elective Course (1 course, 3 credits) Choose one (1) of the following:
Approved Finance Electives
Note: Students wishing to take SBS-920 for an elective in the MSF Program must consult with the MSF Advisor for guidance on how to be considered for this option.
Electives:
Waiver Policy
To waive a management preparation course, a student must successfully complete equivalent coursework at the undergraduate/graduate level in the seven (7) years prior to MSA/MSF matriculation, with a grade of "B" or better.
Students must provide official transcripts (with English translations, if applicable). All waiver requests are evaluated upon a student's acceptance into the MSA/MSF Program.
All MSA/MSF students must complete a minimum of 52 credits in the Sawyer Business School. All MSA/MSF Essentials students must complete a minimum of 58 credits in the Sawyer Business School.
Transfer Credit Policy
For any candidate seeking transfer credits, courses taken at the graduate level from an AACSB-accredited graduate program in business, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. These credits may be considered for transfer if the credits do not apply to a previously completed degree.
MSA specific transfer credits must have an earned grade of "B" or better and be taken within five (5) years prior to entering the Suffolk MSA/MSF program. MSF specific transfer credits must have earned a grade of “B” or better and be taken within seven (7) years prior to entering the Suffolk MSA/MSF program. However, at the discretion of the program director, MSA Core Courses or MSF Core Courses may not be transferred if the subject material has changed significantly since completion. A maximum of six (6) credits of Elective, MSA Core, or MSF Core Courses may be considered for transfer.
Students Who Leave Boston Before Their Degree is Complete
Occasionally, Suffolk MSA/MSF students must leave the Boston area having not yet completed their degree. You may be able to transfer in six (6) credits of elective courses from an AACSB-accredited MSA/MSF Program close to your new place of residence. Courses must be pre-approved by Suffolk's Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs and have a grade of "B" or better.
Students who leave the area may also be able to complete a portion of their Suffolk MSA/MSF on a part time basis online.