Master of Finance Degree Programs in Colorado

If you are searching for accredited masters level finance programs in Colorado, then you will be happy to learn that there are several excellent choices available in the “Centennial State” at some of the top American graduate schools in business. Positioned in the Southern Rocky Mountains of the western United States with major economic hubs in Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins, Aspen, and Aurora, Colorado has taken the third spot in CNBC’s list of “Top States for Business.” While the state may be best known for its agricultural sector with the country’s largest annual production of beer, Colorado is an important financial center for the West with a diversified economy strongly concentrated in scientific and high-tech industries. In order to receive the training needed to begin leading the state’s financial services, read on to learn details about the accredited master’s degree programs for finance in Colorado.

Colorado State University

College of Business

Headquartered on a main 586-acre urban campus in the mid-sized city of Fort Collins against the backdrop of the majestic Rocky Mountains within just one hour north of bustling downtown Denver, Colorado State University is a comprehensive senior public land-grant research institution that serves around 30,700 students in over 65 fields of study. Ranking second nationwide among public universities without a medical school at $340 million in research expenditures annually, CSU is currently named the 121st best national university and 58th top public school in America by the U.S. News and World Report. Featuring accreditation through the widely respected AACSB International, the College of Business has also been named as one of the top business schools by the prestigious Princeton Review for preparing students to meet the rigors of the global marketplace.

Master’s in Finance with an Emphasis in Financial Risk Management

As part of one of the best finance schools partnered with the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP), the Master’s in Finance with an Emphasis in Financial Risk Management program at CSU is designed to deliver a rigorous curriculum for comprehensive study in the processes, principles, theories, and practices involved in corporate risk management. As one of the most sought-after areas of expertise in today’s evolving financial services field, the program’s emphasis in financial risk management offers graduates strong career potential, preparation for the CFA or FRM examinations, and global corporate visibility.

Within the 30-credit program that can be completed in just one year full-time or two years part-time, students will expand their current knowledge base in debt securities analysis, financial modeling, financial engineering, statistics, enterprise valuation, risk management, quantitative methods, and international finance. Upon completion, graduates will be well-equipped with the knowledge base, analytical abilities, and financial skills needed to land mid to upper-level positions in helping corporations form effective solutions to minimize risk for maximum profit.

Accreditations

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)

Contact

1201 Campus Delivery Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80523
(970) 491-4612
FRMAdvisor@business.colostate.edu
http://biz.colostate.edu/FRM/Pages/default.aspx

Colorado State University – Global Campus

College of Business

As the premier provider of cutting-edge higher learning opportunities for non-traditional adult learners maintaining full-time employment in Colorado, the Global Campus of Colorado State University is a comprehensive public accredited online institution headquartered in the suburb of Greenwood Village near Denver that serves more than 7,500 students electronically. Boasting a strong student retention rate exceeding 80%, CSU Global has been ranked among the top five best online universities in the United States by the Online Education Database. In particular, the College of Business has been recognized among graduate schools for hosting the 82nd best online business programs by the U.S. News and World Report.

Online Master of Science in Finance (MSF)

Ideal for qualified graduate students seeking an advanced degree to be promoted to a leadership position with a significantly higher salary potential, the Online Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program builds upon existing career foundations to sharpen financial skills and develop leadership abilities for managing an entire financial department or institution. Utilizing the latest emerging technologies, the program establishes a strong financial framework for forming effective finance strategies, analyzing financial risks, and making good investments.

In an accelerated year-round format of 100% online classes accessible from anywhere at an affordable tuition rate, the finance degree ensures that all students tailor their studies to align with specific future career goals in financial management, auditing, financial analysis, financial advising, accounting, and more. Students can choose a specialization area in Accounting, Applied Business Management, Business Intelligence, Fraud Management, Human Resource Performance, Information Technology, International Management, Organizational Leadership, Project Management, or Strategic Innovation for Change Management. For completion, all finance majors will be required to earn at least 36 credits with a culminating capstone project.

Accreditations

Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)

Contact

7800 East Orchard Road
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
(720) 279-0159
Admissions@CSUGlobal.edu
http://csuglobal.edu/graduate/programs/masters-degrees/finance/

Colorado Technical University

College of Business and Management

Initially founded in 1965 with a focus on technical training for former military personnel, Colorado Technical University has since expanded its reach as an independent for-profit STEM research institution owned by the Career Education Corporation for offering degrees in business, management, and technology to over 25,000 students. Headquartered in Colorado Springs with on-site centers in Denver, Pueblo, North Kansas City, Sioux Falls, and online from anywhere, CTU has been ranked as the #1 best university for veterans in the category of non-traditional universities by Military Times magazine. With full ACBSP accreditation, the College of Business and Management is focused on providing real-world education that is continuously updated to reflect new trends.

Master of Business Administration (MBA) – Finance Concentration

Named one of the top 10 online masters programs in business worldwide by the International Graduate Forum of CEO Magazine, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Colorado Tech is designed to provide graduate students with the real-world business education that employers in today’s competitive global marketplace require. As a 48-credit program that can be completed online or on-campus in Colorado Springs, the MBA offers 12 in-demand concentrations for opening doors in various business disciplines.

For students who decide to specialize their master’s degree in the Finance Concentration, the program builds on the broad-based major core with courses specifically designed to offer preparation for the challenging road ahead in financial services. Students will learn to analyze financial information, research business operations, provide financial advice to executives, influence managerial decision-making, interpret statistical data, and evaluate complex business problems with sound financial rationale. Graduates of the finance program often become regional directors, program managers, administrative directors, business analysts, business development consultants, financial analysts, finance managers, or personal finance advisors.

Accreditations

Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)

Contact

4435 North Chestnut Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
(719) 792-0188
mbalsan@ctuonline.edu
http://www.coloradotech.edu/degrees/masters/business/finance

University of Colorado Boulder

Leeds School of Business

Well-known for being one of America’s 30 “Public Ivies,” the University of Colorado Boulder is the state’s premier flagship comprehensive public research-intensive institution with more than 31,700 students enrolled on its sprawling 600-acre urban campus in the lively college town of Boulder. In addition to being named the globe’s 142nd top school by QS World University Rankings, CU Boulder has been ranked as the 88th national university and 38th top public school in America by the U.S. News and World Report. Also distinguished as the country’s 80th best grad school for business, the Leeds School of Business is ranked 35th nationwide for integrating social and environmental stewardship into its major core curriculum by the Aspen Institute.

Master of Science (M.S.) in Finance

Built as a 12-month accredited graduate business degree, the Master of Science (M.S.) in Finance at CU Boulder is crafted to provide extensive specialized coursework for in-depth practical application in a vast array of career opportunities in the nation’s growing financial services industry. Ideal for undergraduate students without a previous degree or professional background in finance, the program begins by developing a firm foundation in general finance before developing the specific managerial skills necessary for leading financial instructions into today’s cutthroat international business environment.

Within the 36-credit curriculum, academic coursework is focused on fostering the development of the “whole student” for teamwork, leadership, ethics, and corporate social responsibility through four enrichment seminars. While students seeking to pursue a career in investment management firms as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) can choose the Investment Management Track, there is also a Corporate Finance/Consulting Track available for the receiving the preparation essential in careers in management consulting, investment banking, private equity, venture capital, and corporate finance. Graduates will complete the program with richer financial knowledge, sharper analytical abilities, and a global mindset for success.

Accreditations

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)

Contact

995 Regent Drive
Boulder, CO 80309
(303) 492-8397
leedsms@colorado.edu
http://www.colorado.edu/leedsms/ms-programs/finance

University of Colorado Denver

Business School

Educating more than 17,000 students each year, the University of Colorado Denver is among the country’s top comprehensive four-year urban public research institutions with a strategic position on a charming 126-acre campus in the bustling metropolitan city of Denver within just minutes from the recreational opportunities of the Rockies. Consistently named as one of America’s Best Values Colleges in the prestigious Princeton Review, CU Denver is currently ranked as the 91st top school in the West and the 187th best research university in the entire nation by Forbes magazine. Within the largest research center in Colorado, the Business School is accredited by the AACSB International for offering high-quality business programs created with feedback from Wells Fargo, First Bank, Coors, Frontier Airlines, and more.

Professional MBA with Finance Specialization

Acclaimed for being the 101st best part-time MBA program in America by the U.S. News and World Report, the Professional MBA at CU Denver has been designed to balance foundational business education with real-world practical applications for full-time working professionals. Within the 48-credit program offered in an on-campus or online format, students have the freedom to tailor their studies in 16 different specializations while obtaining hands-on business experience in case studies, practical consulting work, executive mentoring opportunities, internships, study abroad trips, and capstone research projects.

Students who choose the Finance Specialization will utilize 12 of their electives to fill up their course schedule covering topics in investment management analysis, macroeconomics, financial markets, business evaluation, financial innovations, international finance, business forecasting, commodity derivatives, mergers and acquisitions, or corporate risk management. After completing the customizable degree path according to individual career objectives, graduates will be able to advance their career options in different functional areas of finance with the critical skills for making sound financial moves.

M.S. in Finance and Risk Management

In collaboration with the J.P Morgan Center for Commodities, the M.S. in Finance and Risk Management program is nationally respected for delivering an industry-relevant curriculum for preparing graduate students with the specialized financial knowledge and skills needed to advance professionally with credentials as Chartered Financial Analysts (CFAs). Students can choose to complete the 30-credit finance degree on-campus in evening hours, online at any time, or in a hybrid combination of the two with an expert network of faculty practitioners. After completing the broad theoretical foundation in financial markets, students will be given the freedom to choose one of four different areas of interest:

Commodities Risk Management Specialization: Utilizing the latest resources from the new state-of-the-art Commodities Trading Lab at CU Denver, the Commodities Risk Management Specialization is designed to prepare finance majors for pursuing or advancing their careers in the investment or trading of assets and derivatives. This specialization incorporates topics in enterprise risk management, commodity derivatives, emerging market finance, financial modeling, corporate risk management, and probabilistic models.

Economics Specialization: Housed within the Business School’s Department of Economics for master’s degree students, the Economics Specialization is offered to deliver an in-depth understanding of our global economy for building a wider knowledge base in the competitive financial world. Students choosing this specialization should expect to take courses in mathematical economics, microeconomic/macroeconomic theory, econometrics, actuarial models, game theory, and investment management analysis for decisions under uncertainty.

Financial Analysis and Management Specialization: The Financial Analysis and Management Specialization is specifically catered to meet the learning needs of graduate students who are seeking to advance their careers in corporate finance, financial analysis, management, acquisitions, corporate restructuring, private equity, or investment banking. Courses will delve into subjects like business firm valuation, international corporate governance, short-term financial management, financial modeling, risk management, and tax planning.

Risk Management and Insurance Specialization: For graduate finance majors interested in trying their hand at success with an advanced career within the insurance industry for minimizing risk to maximize business profit, there is also a Risk Management and Insurance Specialization available. In this concentrated area, students will complete extensive coursework related to enterprise risk management, insurance, corporate risk management, global risk management, financial innovations, valuation, derivatives, and mergers and acquisitions.

Accreditations

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)

Contact

1475 Lawrence Street
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 556-8200
grad.advising@ucdenver.edu
http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/business/degrees/ms/finance/Pages/Finance.aspx

Overall, earning a master’s degree in finance is an excellent career move for individuals seeking to form a deeper understanding of the essential financial concepts, methods, practices, models, and theories that are being applied in corporate environments for making well-informed financial moves in today’s tricky global markets. In fact, the Master of Science in Finance (MSF) has been recognized by Forbes magazine for being the sixth best graduate program for jobs with an estimated employment outlook of 18.6% and a mid-career salary potential of $119,000. To get on the right track to a financially and emotionally rewarding career in an in-demand business discipline, be sure to start contacting these top-notch accredited masters level finance programs in Colorado to find the perfect match for making your success soar higher than the Rockies.

Another great resource:

Top 10 TED Talks about Finance and Business