Combined Degree Program
A Four Year Program for Exceptional Students
The Master of Science in Finance (MSF) Combined Degree Program offers an accelerated and challenging curriculum for outstanding students like those admitted to the University of Florida through the Honors Programs or with scholarship funding. It serves as an honors program in Finance designed for highly motivated and bright undergraduate students that have college credit accumulated when they begin University of Florida coursework. The program allows students to:
- Earn either combination in four years:
- a bachelors and a masters degree in finance or,
- a bachelors degree in a technical field and a masters degree in finance.
- Take 12 graduate credits in lieu of standard undergraduate courses to satisfy requirements for both the undergraduate and graduate degrees at the same time. Undergraduate Finance majors may use a particular set of 12 graduate credits as approved substitutions for undergraduate Debt, Equity and Financial Management. MSF Combined Degree students may also take an additional 6 graduate credits as an undergraduate to store for use on the graduate degree while still eligible for Bright Futures benefits.
- Complete the MSF Program during their fourth year of study alongside students with work experience in the field, with an outstanding set of peers, in courses taught by finance faculty, with exposure to a variety of visiting industry professionals.
Standard Combined Degree Timeline
The MSF Program has several approved variations. By the time a student has established a relationship with the MSF Program and reached the point of eligibility for graduate level courses, it will be determined which variation is best.
Bright Futures Scholarship Program will fund graduate tuition at the undergraduate level - students are responsible for paying the difference between undergraduate and graduate costs. If the student continues in graduate school they will have saved the tuition costs for up to 12 graduate credits taken as an undergraduate since the 12 credits are used for two different degrees. The graduate course costs were partially paid by the undergraduate financial aid for those 12 plus the additional 6 credits a student can save to apply to the graduate degree once they have completed their undergraduate degree.
Florida PrePaid College Tuition Program will fund the first 120 credit hours, covering graduate courses taken toward the undergraduate degree at the undergraduate level. Financial aid may be available for the graduate degree portion of the program.
What the MSF Program Expects from Interested Students
Aptitude, Motivation and Maturity are mandatory for the rigorousness of this program, personal growth requirement and the development of necessary relationships.
Plan early and maintain academic discipline
- Complete prerequisite courses for FIN 3403 before fall of the third year of study
- Maintain a high grade point average with emphasis on AGC 2021c and FIN 3403
- Enroll in FIN 3403 during the fall term of the third year of study at latest.
- Leave fall open on Fridays 2-4 p.m. for Finance Professional Speaker Series attendance, and possibly 12-2 for lunch group availability
- Submit a qualifying GMAT score as soon as possible and definitely before or during the fall term of the third year of study
- Complete MSF application during the fall term of the third year of study at the latest
- Complete 108 undergraduate credits by the end of the third year of study
- Earn a grade of B or better on all graduate courses
- Realize students cannot take MSF courses until accepted to the program
- Request graduate course schedules and registration assistance from the MSF Program
- Official graduate classification will activate after the bachelors degree certification
- Students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate courses at the same time may have two university calendars to observe (ex: Break dates may differ)
Know your purpose
Each applicant is required to submit a critical statement of purpose detailing the positions the student will seek with the degree. Demonstrate a clear understanding of:
- the positions sought
- the requirements for the position
- firms that hire for the position
- those firms' hiring calendar
Most firms begin their hiring process in the fall. Students must be prepared to enter into their job search at the same time that they begin the MSF program.
Develop a relationship with the MSF Program
- Study the MSF website
-
Email your UFID to
to attend an MSF Interest Session
- Respond properly to invitations to MSF program events
- Regularly attend the Finance Professional Speaker Series and email reactions afterwards to Mrs. Herring
- Attend appointments with Mr. Bruce Foerster, made through Mrs. Herring
- Email periodic updates of your statement of purpose to Mrs. Herring as works in progress
What Qualified Students Can Expect from the MSF Program
A wealth of resources is offered to students interested in the MSF. The design is for students to learn early about the finance industry, gauge their aptitude and interests, and discern the best path for their professional objectives. The expectation is that students selected for the MSF Combined Degree Program will have taken full advantage of opportunities and activities available to them.
Review Opportunities and Activities
- Meetings with Mrs. Kelly Herring, MSF Director of Admissions and Student Services, Mr. Bruce Foerster, MSF Associate Director of Placements and Dr. David Brown, the MSF Program Director, to discuss academic needs and career goals
- Friday Finance Professional Speaker Series presentations
- Small lunch group sessions with the Finance Professional Speaker Series participants
- Several years of archived Finance Professional Speaker Series video of speakers from a variety of finance fields
- Lunches and meetings with industry professionals. Select students are invited to attend these functions to broaden their understanding of the industry and to make contacts. Attendance may be requested so visitors observe the quality of students the MSF Program and the University of Florida have to offer.
- Candidacy for a campus internship with the University of Florida Investment Corporation and notification of other internships
- One-one-one career and industry consultation and group informational sessions with Bruce Foerster, a leading practitioner with considerable investment banking experience
- The MSF Placement History and job descriptions of newly hired MSF students
- Detailed graduate level finance course descriptions
- Additional resources to help with the completion of the statement of purpose
- PhD level courses in finance are available to some MSF students
- MSF admission likely to be given before the general application deadline, usually upon completion of FIN 3403
- Course substitutions are available with pre-approval for undergraduate Finance majors accepted to the MSF Combined Degree Program
FIN 4243 Debt and Money Markets - 4 credits instead, take both:
FIN 6545 Fixed Income Security Valuations - 2 credits
FIN 6547 Interest Rate Risk Management - 2 credits
FIN 4504 Equity and Capital Markets - 4 credits instead, two of these:
FIN 6595 Investment Analytics - 2 credits, offered summer only
FIN 6638 International Finance - 2 credits
FIN 6958 International Financial Markets Study Tour - 2 credits, offered spring only
FIN 6537 Derivative Securities - 2 credits
FIN 4414 Financial Management - 4 credits instead, take both:
FIN 6427 Measuring and Managing Value - 2 credits
FIN 6465 Financial Statement Analysis - 2 credits
Non-finance students may be able to use up to 12 credits of graduate substitution for undergraduate electives with permission from their undergraduate department.
