MS in Financial Analysis Online

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Osman Nal
Assistant Professor of Finance
onal@ollusa.edu

The School of Business and Leadership (SBL) offers an online Master of Science degree in Financial Analysis that will provide students with expertise in several areas of applied finance such as corporate finance, financial institutions, financial analysis, fixed-income analysis, derivatives and portfolio management. Students who complete the degree will have acquired the necessary data-analytic skills for conducting advanced-level analysis and interpretation of complex financial data and financial instruments.

The focus of the program is on the data analysis in finance based on recent trends in the market with significantly growing interest in the analytical tools used in all areas of business including accounting and finance.

The curriculum emphasizes theory, application, financial modeling and trends in financial data analytics.

Program Goals

To provide professionals with advanced-level skills in financial-economic theory and applications
To provide graduates with a deep understanding of the financial processes of complex business organizations
To provide students with a fundamental knowledge and technical skills for presenting and interpreting complex financial information that is often utilized by senior executive leadership within corporations.

Upon graduation, students in the MS in Financial Analysis program will be prepared to demonstrate professional knowledge and the newly acquired data-analytic skills necessary to address a variety of fast paced and changing circumstances within the business world.

Program Design

The 30-credit hour program consists of 10 online courses and can be completed in less than two years for students taking classes part-time during the fall, spring and summer semesters. Students who wish to fast-track and attend classes full-time can complete the program in one year.

The online format provides students maximum flexibility.

Master of Science in Financial Analysis degree program and course descriptions

Courses

The following are the courses that make up the MS Financial Analysis degree program:

Financial Economic Theory
Mathematics for Finance and Business Analytics
Statistical Analysis in Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Reports and Financial Statement Analysis
Data Analysis in Finance
Fixed Income Securities
Financial Derivatives
Valuation and Portfolios
Advanced Financial Applications

Leveling Courses

Students with non-business majors and students with business majors who received their degrees more than five years ago are required to take the following leveling courses:

Business Math and Statistics
Financial Accounting
Corporate Finance

The leveling courses can be waived for the following groups:

Business majors who graduated less than five years ago
Non-business majors who graduated less than five years ago and passed a related course with a B or better grade
A year of experience in a relevant position (e.g., one year of experience in an accounting-related position would possibly waive the "Financial Accounting" leveling course).

Admission Requirements

All candidates for admission to any graduate program must fulfill the following general admission requirements:

An earned baccalaureate degree in a related discipline from a regionally accredited institution
A grade point average of 2.50 for all undergraduate work or 3.00 for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work
English proficiency: Applicants educated in a primary language other than English must present a TOEFL score of at least 550 on the paper test or 213 on the computer-based test, or 79 on the Internet-based test (iBT). Score reports cannot be more than two years old, and official score reports must be sent directly to OLLU from ETS. Contact international admissions at international@ollusa.edu or alternatives to the TOEFL.

In addition to the requirements for graduate admission to OLLU, applicants will provide:

A personal statement of one to two, double-spaced pages describing long-range professional and scholarly interests
Three letters of reference from persons knowledgeable about the applicant's professional and academic background
Résumé highlighting educational and professional backgrounds

After a review of the completed admission files, selected applicants will be invited to a face-to-face or Skype interview with the program head and/or committee that allows the applicants to share his/her passion for the field, accomplishments and enthusiasm for the school.

Conditional acceptance is granted on the merits of each case. In some circumstances, applicants who do not meet all the requirements for regular admission may be admitted conditionally, providing they fulfill the conditions listed in their letters of conditional acceptance within a period of specified time.
If conditional acceptance is given because of missing official credentials, the period to provide those documents will not extend beyond the first term of acceptance.
The decision of the committee regarding conditional acceptance cannot be appealed.
Students who do not have sufficient background knowledge in business are required to take certain leveling courses. These leveling courses will allow students to integrate into the program earlier and will help to improve their learning experience. If conditionally admitted, students must complete these leveling courses before starting the program.

Courses taken at other institutions do not transfer toward the completion of the master's program. If student has taken and completed a course as an elective or non-degree at OLLU, those courses can be transferred toward the program provided the student is admitted to the program.