Before making the decision to head back to grad school to advance your career, it is essential that you are aware of the different accredited masters level finance programs in Arizona to ensure you find the right program that matches your professional interests. With its position in the Southwest, Arizona is often most noted for its steamy hot climate, but it is also home to a diverse economy that is also heating up in the healthcare, government, and financial services industries. Though Arizona may have been the final continental state admitted into our nation, it is clear that the state is surely not lagging behind when it comes to offering finance degrees at accredited graduate schools. Read on to learn about the four top-notch graduate programs available in the “Grand Canyon State” for future financial experts seeking CFA credentials.
Arizona State University
W.P. Carey School of Business
Famous for having one of the largest student populations in the United States with a total enrollment of more than 73,300 across its four campuses, Arizona State University is a dynamic comprehensive public research institution headquartered on a main 630-acre urban campus in the vibrant downtown of Tempe. Named 5th in the nation for producing the most qualified graduates by the Wall Street Journal, ASU is currently ranked as the 129th best college, 63rd top public school, and 2nd best up-and-coming university in America by the U.S. News and World Report. Among the country’s top business schools, the W.P. Carey School of Business is also acclaimed for hosting the 2nd top online graduate business degree programs.
Master of Science in Finance (MS-FIN)
Designed to enable graduate students to fast track their career in the corporate finance industry in as little as nine months, the Master of Science in Finance (MS-FIN) program delivers a cutting-edge curriculum to build the skills and professional expertise employers are searching for in today’s competitive business world. Featuring a balance between corporate finance and asset/portfolio management, the program offers a distinctive advantage in being one of the few advanced finance degrees housed in a top-ranked business school. In a lock-step format, students will be required to complete at least 12 courses over the course of four quarters full-time to unlock a wide range of career opportunities in our nation’s financial institutions.
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
300 East Lemon Street
Tempe, AZ 85287
(480) 965-3131
wpcareyfin@asu.edu
http://wpcarey.asu.edu/masters-programs/finance/program-overview
Grand Canyon University
Colangelo College of Business
Around four hours away from the major tourist destination that gave its name, Grand Canyon University is based on a main 100-acre urban campus in the heart of Phoenix as a premier comprehensive private Christian non-denominational institution of over 8,500 on-campus students. As home to eight distinctive colleges, GSU offers students more than 100 majors to choose from with on-campus and online delivery formats to find their purpose in applying Christian values to the workplace. Boasting several high-demand MBA programs accredited by the ACBSP, the Colangelo College of Business develops values-driven business leadership who exemplify the principles of servant leadership to spark innovation in the global market.
Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Finance
In order to provide graduate students with the advanced specialized skills needed to demonstrate professional proficiency in corporate financial management to ensure profitability and efficiency, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program offers an Emphasis in Finance. Building on a broad-based business core with the key concepts of leadership, the emphasis is focused specifically on the financial elements of business decisions, including financial forecasting, data analysis, capital budgeting, cooperative agreements, investments, and more. All courses in the 54-credit program can be completed on-campus at various locations across Phoenix in convenient evening courses or online from anywhere in a flexible self-paced schedule.
Accreditations
Accreditation Commission for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
3300 West Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017
(602) 639-7500
codsenrollment@gcu.edu
http://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/master-of-business-administration-with-an-emphasis-in-finance
University of Arizona
Eller College of Management
Standing proudly on a 392-acre urban campus in the heart of Tucson surrounded by the high Sonoran desert for a distinctive southwestern look, the University of Arizona is the state’s leading public research land-grant institution with one of the largest enrollments at over 40,000 students. Ranked 19th among public universities nationwide for federal research funding, UA is currently named the 121st best college, 58th top public school, and 31st best university for veterans in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. Also recognized as the 48th best business school, the Eller College of Management has been ranked 53rd in North America for cutting-edge business research.
Master of Science in Finance (MSF)
Strategically partnered with the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association (CAIA) to offer students unparalleled access to scholarships, the Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program is designed to be an immersive educational experience that provides a broad-based education to expose graduate students to all functional areas of finance. Students have the option of pursuing one of four different degree tracks in Investment Management, Fixed Income, Corporate Finance, or Real Estate Finance to further specialize their studies. In addition to the traditional 16-month format for a total of 36 credits, there is a 12-month accelerated program that consists of 30 credits of coursework with a six-credit Master’s thesis project. All graduates are well-equipped with the knowledge needed to become a Certified Financial Analyst (CFA).
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
McClelland Hall Room 315R
P.O. Box 210108
Tucson, AZ 85721
(520) 621-3462
sias@email.arizona.edu
http://finance.eller.arizona.edu/masters/
University of Phoenix
School of Business
Wholly owned by the Apollo Group Inc. as a system of several for-profit higher learning educational institutions, the University of Phoenix is headquartered with a main campus in Phoenix with 112 campuses worldwide to deliver over 100 degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree levels. Featuring an open-enrollment admission policy, the University of Phoenix has attained a peak enrollment of more than 600,000 students globally in convenient on-campus and online programs. In particular, the School of Business is nationally accredited to provide relevant degrees that develop the skills employers need to provide long-term success in a highly competitive job market.
Online MBA with a Concentration in Finance
Focused on helping graduate students harness the power behind proven management strategies and adapt them for practical application in the boardroom, the Online MBA with a Concentration in Finance program specifically develops the essential skills needed to work in financial management, advisement, consulting, and analysis positions. Aligned with the body of knowledge required for passing the Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) exam, the program covers advanced topics in capital markets, investment banking, financial control, auditing, compliance, and corporate finance. Applicants to the finance major must have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a desire to progress in the dynamic field of finance in this convenient 48-credit program offered 100% online from anywhere.
Accreditations
Accreditation Commission for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
3157 East Elwood Street
Phoenix, AZ 85034
(866) 766-0766
http://www.phoenix.edu/programs/degree-programs/business-and-management/masters/mba-fin.html#tab=overview
Did you know that Forbes magazine has recently named finance as the sixth best masters programs for jobs in our current market? In fact, graduates who have earned a graduate finance degree from one of the best finance schools are poised to enter a rapidly growing field with a projected employment increase of 18.6% over the next decade as well as a very lucrative mid-career median salary of $119,000. Therefore, if you are on the hunt for graduate schools to receive the education needed to join this financially and rewarding career path, do not forget to consider attending one of these accredited masters level finance programs in Arizona!
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