STEM Designation
The MSBA/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.
Curriculum
19-22 Courses
53-57.5 Credits
Program Length:
Full-time in as few as 16 months
Part time in as few as 24 months
Required Introductory Courses (2 credits)
Must be taken in first semester of program.
| FIN-601 | Introduction to Statistics, Accounting, & Finance Intensive | 1 |
| ISOM-700 | Preparing for Your Professional Future | 1 |
Prerequisite Courses (4.5 credits)
May be waived. Must be taken or waived prior to enrolling in Finance core courses.
| MBA-615 | Economics | 1.5 |
| MBA-641 | Financial Information for Business Management | 1.5 |
| MBA-651 | Financial Management for Business Decisions | 1.5 |
Finance 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 |
Business Analytics Core Courses (18 credits)
If waived, ISOM-801 must be substituted with an approved ISOM elective.
| ISOM-631 | Data Analytics with SAS Base | 3 |
| 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 |
Finance/Business Analytics Capstone Courses (6 credits)
Should be taken as late in the program as possible.
Applicable Elective Courses (12 credits)
Choose four (4) elective courses from the approved MSF electives list. Courses must be taken within Sawyer Business School, 800-level or above (exception MBA-740 and ISOM-730), unless permission to take online is granted by the academic Director.
Note: Students wishing to take FIN-920 for an elective in the MSF Program must consult with the MSF Advisor for guidance on how to be considered for this option.
London Financial Services Travel Seminar is the only seminar approved as an MSF elective. Any other travel seminar requires MSF Academic Program Director approval.
Approved MSF Electives
Approved ISOM Electives
Students must select from an ISOM elective below, only if ISOM-801 is waived.
| ISOM-730 | Python for Business Analytics | 3 |
| ISOM-829 | Advanced Data Management Leveraging ETL Tools | 3 |
| ISOM-839 | Prescriptive Analytics: Modeling & Optimization | 3 |
| ISOM-840 | Security and Privacy | 3 |
| ISOM-845 | Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, and Storytelling | 3 |
| ISOM-851 | Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| ISOM-861 | Project Management: Gaining Competitive Advantage | 3 |
| ISOM-910 | Directed Individual Study | 3 |
| ISOM-920 | ISOM Internship | 0-3 |
Concentrations
Students may declare an MSF 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 three 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 Risk Management elective.
Students should consult with their advisor if interested. Students who declare a concentration must submit an SBS Graduate Program Concentration Request Form.
The schedule of when courses within a concentration are offered vary by semester.
The concentration appears on the transcript, not the diploma.
Corporate Finance Concentration
Choose three 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 |
Electives: (2 courses, 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 Course (1 course, 3 credits)
Take one from the following list of electives:
| ISOM-840 | Security and Privacy | 3 |
| ISOM-845 | Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, and Storytelling | 3 |
Investments Concentration
Choose three 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)
Waiver Policy
To waive an MSF prerequisite course or ISOM-801 a student must successfully complete equivalent coursework at the undergraduate/graduate level in the seven (7) years prior to the MSBA/MSF matriculation, with a grade of "B" or better, and provide official transcripts (with English translations, if applicable). If waived, ISOM-801 must be substituted with an ISOM elective.
For FIN and other ISOM core courses to be considered for substitution, a student must successfully complete equivalent academic coursework at the graduate level in the seven (7) years prior to the MSBA/MSF matriculation, with a grade of "B" or better, and provide official transcripts (with English translations, if applicable).
All waiver requests are evaluated upon a student's acceptance into the MSBA/MSF Program and are waived during the student's first semester. Students may also elect to take a proficiency exam, for a fee, to gain a waiver for ISOM-801. Proficiency exams must be taken in the first semester and are administered on the Boston campus.
All MSBA/MSF students must complete a minimum of 53 graduate credits in the Sawyer Business School.
Transfer Policy
Any candidates seeking transfer credits, 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.
Transfer credits must have an earned grade of "B" or better and have been taken within the seven (7) years prior to entering the Suffolk MSBA/MSF program. However, at the discretion of the MSF program director, finance core courses may not be transferred if the subject material has changed significantly since completion. A maximum of six (6) credits may be considered for a transfer.
Students Who Leave Boston Before Their Degree is Complete
Occasionally, Suffolk MSBA/MSF students must leave the Boston area having not yet completed their degree. The Business School has several options available to ensure completion of the Suffolk MSBA/MSF. You may be able to transfer six (6) credits of elective courses from an AACSB-accredited 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 the MSBA on a part time basis online. The MSF portion of the degree is not available online.