Finance

The College of Business

The University of North Texas' College of Business is accredited at the graduate level by AACSB International - the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business [777 South Harbour Island Blvd., Suite 750, Tampa, Fla. 33602-5730, telephone (813) 769-6500]. That means the college has passed strict academic standards for excellence in education. Graduating from an accredited program shows the marketplace that you have received thorough and timely training for a business career.

Opportunities for graduate studies

The Department of Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Law offers course work leading to a master of business administration degree, a master of science degree and a doctor of philosophy degree focusing on finance. Professionals with financial skills are sought by a variety of employers to deliver expertise and knowledge in areas such as risk management, working-capital management, financial analysis, corporate control and asset allocation. A graduate degree in finance improves your chances for advancement in your profession.

Degrees

Master of business administration with a concentration in finance

The M.B.A. degree with a concentration in finance provides you with a breadth of knowledge in various business disciplines while developing a critical understanding of domestic and international financial management. This understanding will help you lead an organization that increases its value to employees and shareholders.

Graduates from the program have a well-rounded business education, are equipped with the management tools needed to compete in a global market and have an increased understanding of the importance of time management and efficiency. The curriculum emphasizes skills and values essential to successful leadership: ethics, communication, team-work, global perspectives, use of technology, problem recognition and problem solving. The objectives for the M.B.A with a concentration in finance are:

• to provide you with the theory, principles and knowledge required for effective management of modern business
• to develop an appreciation for the role and responsibilities of business leaders in the social and economic order
• to foster the techniques of basing decision and action on careful analysis of relevant information

Master of science with a major in finance

The master of science degree allows you to tune your skills and gain expertise in finance in a concentrated period of time. The M.S. requires completing fewer hours than the M.B.A. requires. The program prepares you to be a financial specialist. As a financial specialist, you plan and analyze the financial and monetary aspects and performance of investment firms, financial institutions, regulatory bodies or other organizations.

Doctor of philosophy with a major in finance

The Ph.D. program prepares you for a career in teaching and research in either the academic or business community. Students entering the Ph.D. program are expected to achieve excellence in the technical aspects of finance and to develop expertise through meaningful research. The program consists of advanced courses in statistics, business research methodology, foundations of scientific inquiry, and a seminar in teaching pedagogy.

Admission requirements

Master's programs

You must satisfy the admission requirements for the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies as well as the specific requirements for the College of Business. You can access the graduate catalog at www.unt.edu/catalog for graduate school requirements and possible exemptions. The College of Business requirements are:

• a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited institution
• a 2.8 overall GPA or a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work. Applicants with a master's degree must have at least a 3.4 GPA.
• satisfactory scores on the GMAT or GRE (no minimum score is required)
• a current resume
• completion of a written essay

These requirements are also available online at www.coba.unt.edu.

Ph.D. program

You must satisfy the admission requirements for the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies. You can access the graduate catalog at www.unt.edu/catalog for graduate school requirements and possible exemptions. Detailed information about admission to the doctoral program is available at www.coba.unt.edu/programs/phd. Requirements include:

• transcripts from all universities previously attended
• GMAT or GRE scores
• three recommendation forms or three letters of recommendation from college professors or professional colleagues who are familiar with your academic record
• completed Supplementary Information Form

Degree requirements

M.B.A. degree

With an acceptable academic background in business administration, you can earn an M.B.A. degree with 36 semester hours. These hours consist of core and concentration courses. However, you may be required to take background courses if you do not have an acceptable academic background in business administration.

Required Business Core (18 semester hours)

• ACCT 5130 Accounting for Management
• BUSI 5190 Administrative Strategy (Capstone Course taken the last semester)
• DSCI 5180 Introduction to Decision Making
• FINA 5170 Financial Management
• MGMT 5140 Organizational Behavior and Analysis

Concentration Courses (12 semester hours)

• FINA 5210 Investment Analysis and Management
• FINA 5310 Advanced Topics in Financial Management
• FINA 5400 Financial Markets and Institutions
• FINA 5500 International Financial Management

An additional six hours in finance or allied field to complete the 36 semester-hour program.

M.S. degree

The M.S. degree requires 30 semester hours in finance. Course work includes 15 hours of required finance specialty field courses, 12 hours of optional finance courses and 3 hours of a capstone course. You may, however, be required to take background courses if you do not have an acceptable academic background in business administration.

Required Courses (18 semester hours)

• FINA 5210 Investment Analysis and Management
• FINA 5220 Theory and Application of Financial Derivatives
• FINA 5310 Advanced Topics in Financial Management
• FINA 5400 Financial Markets and Institutions
• FINA 5500 International Financial Management
• FINA 5700 Integrative Capstone Course in Finance (Taken the last semester)

Optional Courses (12 semester hours selected from the following)

• DSCI 5180 Introduction to Decision Making
• DSCI 5210 Model-Based Decision Making
• DSCI 5240 Data-Based Decision Systems
• FINA 5230 Portfolio Management and Security Analysis in Investments
• FINA 5410 Advanced Management of Financial Institutions
• FINA 5510 Theory of Finance

Ph.D. degree

A minimum of 69 hours beyond the master's degree is needed to earn a Ph.D. The required areas and semester hours are 9 hours of foundation courses, 12 hours of research track, 24 hours in major and minor areas, 12 hours of pre-dissertation research and 12 hours of dissertation.

Master's programs background courses

The college offers background courses if you do not have adequate undergraduate academic preparation in business. Contact the Graduate Programs Office at 940-369-8977 for an assessment of your preparation for the program.

Certification in finance

Certifications recognized in the financial industry demonstrate a set of knowledge, skills and abilities. You should consider becoming certified as part of your career planning. While not a program requirement, the faculty recommends earning one or several of the following certifications to enhance your competitive position in the job market:

• Chartered Financial Analyst
• Certified Management Accountant
• Certified in Financial Management
• Certified Treasury Professional
• Certified Financial Planner