Curriculum

The Cox MSF is designed to provide students with a broad and intensive education in the finance field. Its focus is to provide specialized skills that enhance finance based employment prospects. Graduates will be positioned well with the knowledge and skills required by employers for entry-level financial analyst positions.

Gain real-world skills through hands-on experiences.

Overview

To distinguish the Cox MSF from other programs offered by top graduate business schools, we have built the program around three areas of unique competency:

  • Energy Finance
  • Real-time Markets and Trading
  • Investment Portfolios

Additionally, SMU Cox offers a specialized course in hedge funds, and specialized courses in energy risk management and energy project management, which connects with our Maguire Energy Institute. SMU Cox also utilizes the Kitt Trading Center, built around online and real-time trading and financial information processing, in several courses including a course on markets and trading. And we connect some of our class applications to the management of the Cox and Underwood student-managed investment portfolios, which are real-time investment portfolios managed by Cox students. Finally, if you're planning to sit for the CFA Level 1, our CFA review course will prepare you.

The 34 credit hour 51³Ô¹ÏÍøCox MSF Program is offered in a 9-month full-time format and 21-month part-time format. MSF courses are offered in 7-week modules on campus. 

Full-time students will take classes primarily in during the weekday, with some evenings class times. Part-time students will take classes in the evening to accommodate working professionals.

Each semester has two modules, Module A and Module B. The ideal applicant to our program will be familiar with the basic introductory subjects covered in finance, accounting, economics and statistics at the undergraduate level, but we also host an Online Boot Camp that provides familiarity in these subjects before starting in the fall. Ambitious students may also be able to make up deficiencies while in the program.

MSF Courses/Curriculum

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FINANCE
Curriculum (As of Fall 2025 entry)
Total Credit Hours: 34

See

This is representative of the curriculum of the program. To confirm the most up-to-date curriculum for your academic year, please contact your Enrollment Advisor here.

  • Managerial Finance

Module A Courses

  • Finance Theory and Practice
  • Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing
  • Managerial Statistics
  • Managing Your Career (0 credit)
  • Optional Core* – ACCT 6201 or ACCT 6210 *See below for FINA 6430

Module B Courses 

  • Valuation and Analysis
  • Derivatives
  • Financial Modeling
  • Optional Core* – ACCT 6202 or ACCT 6212 *See below for FINA 6430

Module A Courses

  • Fixed Income Securities
  • Quantitative Trading Strategies
  • Elective* Choose two from the following:
    • Financial Accounting I
    • Managerial Accounting I
    • Financial Statement Analysis
    • Topics in Energy Finance

Module B Courses

  • Corporate Financial Policies
  • International Finance
  • Financial Markets and Monetary Policy
  • Elective* Choose two from the following:
    • Financial Accounting II
    • Taxes and Business Strategy
    • Special Topics in Energy Economics
    • Financial Statement Analysis

*FINA 6430 Asset and Wealth Management Practicum is offered by application. It is a full semester (both modules A and B) and would take the place of 2 elective courses.


Credit Hours Summary for M.S.F. Program

  • 4 credit hours of required accounting courses
  • Students need to take at least 2 accounting courses
  • 2 credit hours of Statistics - MAST 6201 is a required course worth 2 credits
  • 20 credit hours of required finance courses
  • 4 or 6 credit hours of electives depending on number of finance courses
  • 32 credit hours total for Cox M.S.F. degree

(Curriculum subject to change. See .)

Fall Preparation for Incoming MSF Students

Admitted MSF students are required to complete three key phases of academic preparation prior to the start of the fall semester:

  • Online Finance Bootcamp – A self-paced, online module designed to strengthen your foundational finance knowledge through an Online Self-Study Guide. Authored by Cox faculty, this self-paced workbook offers a solid primer on basic financial concepts.
  • Online Accounting Coursework – A self-paced, online module for introductory accounting content to ensure readiness for graduate-level coursework. Cox faculty members monitor your progress as you complete at-home assignments. The goal: Hit the ground running in your first on-campus finance class.
  • Mod 0: Managerial Finance – An intensive, one-week course held during orientation that is taken for academic credit and a letter grade. This course sets the tone for the MSF experience and prepares you for success in the core curriculum.

Beyond the Classroom: The Kitt Investment and Trading Center

Kitt Investing Trading Center 

Get hands-on experience with industry-standard data feeds and financial software, including FactSet, S&P Capital IQ, Morningstar Direct, Financial Trading System (FTS), Pitchbook and PANARY. Along with these, engage with LED stock tickers, three video walls, 60 high-end workstations and 18 Bloomberg Professional terminals in the state-of-the-art simulated trading room. You'll have a chance to get this unique hands-on experience as part of several MS courses.

Learn what you can do at the Kitt Center