The Master of Science in Finance consists of 10 courses.

• 1 intake per year in October

• Class Participation
• Assignments
• Examinations (Midterm Examination and Final Examination)
• Group Projects

Master of Science in Finance
The University of Michigan-Dearborn

A Ladder to Excellence:

Standing proudly as an Asian financial hub, the competition for employment in the local business and financial sectors is certainly fierce. That said, there are still ample career opportunities in the finance field for students in possession of sound academic qualifications. For undergraduates and holders of post-graduate diplomas who want to stand above the crowd, it is natural for them to take another step towards an Master of Science in Finance qualification.

The Master of Science in Finance (MSc in Finance) program is delivered by the College of Business of the University of Michigan-Dearborn. It is a part-time master's program spanning 20 months that meets the high standards of academic excellence by fully integrating theories and practices. Award Parchment issued by the University of Michigan Dearborn to students of Master of Science in Finance program in Hong Kong is identical to that of the program offered in USA.

Ms. Tina Wong, Program Leader of College of Business and Finance, HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE) mentioned, “This program is developed by the Department of Accounting and Finance of the College of Business, University of Michigan-Dearborn, which is a fully accredited member of the AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. More than 150 graduates gave positive feedback on the valuable and practical knowledge brought forth by this course.”

Local Intelligence, Global Perspective

Face-to-face lectures are taught by highly-qualified instructors who are either PhD holders or CFA charter-holders from both the University of Michigan-Dearborn (UMD) and HKUSPACE. Tina pointed out that while American lecturers can widen students’ horizons with a global perspective and in-depth academic research training, local lecturers will guide them towards real-life business applications of the theories learned. She said, “Hong Kong students are clear about what they want, and learning how to apply textbook knowledge onto their work is a value that can enhance their competitiveness in the job market. With lectures conducted by both UMD and HKU SPACE, a good balance between interaction and information is attained. This collaboration gives an impetus to the marriage of dynamics of American business education and regional prominence of HKU SPACE.”

Same Curriculum, Same Recognition

The curriculum of the Master of Science in Finance (HK) Program extensively incorporates the Body of Knowledge of the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) examinations. This provides a solid foundation for individuals who are interested in pursuing CFA credentials, while providing a broad knowledge base in Finance and related subjects for individuals who aspire to pursue careers in investment management and financial management. “Upon successful completion of the MSc in Finance program, graduates will receive the same degree that is awarded to graduates of the US campus and become part of the alumni family of the internationally renowned University of Michigan. Student may also choose to continue the course in Hong Kong or abroad in Michigan.” Tina added.

Flexible Online Study Option

The exceptional performance of UMD faculty has qualified the College of Business of UMD as one of the 900 schools worldwide to be accredited by AACSB. This accreditation not only speaks to the quality of the UMD faculty but also to the relevancy and practical nature of the courses offered in the College of Business, UMD.

Being one of the leading providers of quality online business education, The University of Michigan-Dearborn’s College of Business values and promotes global learning exchanges among their students. The Master of Science in Finance (HK) students are offered the option to enroll in a maximum of two online courses along with students from the United States and other countries as part of their study in the MSc in Finance Program. Through the online learning platform, participating MSc in Finance (HK) students are offered valuable opportunities to exchange experiences and perspectives with students across the globe without leaving Hong Kong and to enjoy more flexibility when planning their schedules.

There is one intake in October each year. According to Tina, to maintain alignment with quality standards set by AACSB International, the MSc in Finance is in high demand but only about 40 students are admitted each year. Candidates need to possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited university recognized by UMD and a proficient level of English. The strength of a candidate’s academic background will be heavily considered though not all of the students admitted are working in the finance field. Those who have professional work experience in other areas will be able to embark on their new career in the finance field after graduation.

To be awarded the master’s degree, students are required to complete 6 compulsory and 4 elective courses. Tina emphasized that although the Body of Knowledge of the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) examinations is incorporated in the program curriculum, it is very different from those preparatory programs by nature.

"Students will find that the 6 compulsory courses are designed to help them construct a solid foundation of knowledge step by step," Tina explained, "for instance, Applied Statistical Modeling will be delivered as a whole before students are required to take courses of Economic Analysis and Investment Process, so that skills acquired in one course can be put into practice when study for subsequent ones."

As a final note, Tina reiterated that the HKU SPACE Master of Science in Finance is the only program offered by University of Michigan-Dearborn in Hong Kong, and it is naturally a smart choice for those who are in pursuit of career advancement in the finance field.