MBA/MSF Dual Degree (Archive 2018-2019)
The Suffolk MBA/MSF program provides students with a broad-based managerial education and specialized expertise in the field of finance. You can take an expedited approach with this program: Two master’s degrees will be awarded when you fulfill all requirements for both programs.
Suffolk’s Master of Science in Finance degree is one of the only programs in New England that’s a member of both the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Affiliation Program and a Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) Academic Partner. If you’re working toward professional designations (such as Certified Financial Analyst or Financial Risk Manager), this is an ideal program for your career goals.
STEM Classification
The MBA/MSF is a dual degree program with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) designation. Due to the demand of graduates with expertise in STEM fields, the Department of Homeland Security permits international students graduating from STEM programs to apply for a 24 month extension of their initial year of Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more detailed information, please visit the ISSO webpage.
MBA/Master of Science in Finance Archive 2018-2019
MBA/MSF Curriculum
20-28 courses
58-74.5 credits
Program Length
Full-time: 16 to 28 months
Part time: 24-46 months
Contextualize: from Boston to the World (6 credits)
SBS-700 You As a Leader: Self-Awareness, Feedback, and Decision-Making
1.00
SBS 700 is the first required course in Suffolk's graduate programs. The course is based on the precepts of experiential learning. Based on the idea that people learn best by participating in meaningful activities, this course provides students with the opportunity to learn about and experience first-hand the many complexities of business and the role of top managers. To accomplish this, students will work in small groups as they take on the roles of top managers in a hands-on behavioral simulation.
MBA-701 Values Based Decision Making
MBA students only
1.00
This course teaches students ethical frameworks to lead and manage organizations that go beyond the standard legal compliance and risk management approaches, and that embrace the more inclusive principles of sustainability and corporate responsibility. This course will set forth the fundamentals of managerial ethics and will prepare students for the complex, multilevel managerial and leadership integrity challenges that corporations face today.
FIN-601 Introduction to Statistics, Accounting, & Finance Intensive
MSF and MSFSB students only;
1.00
This is a boot camp-style course which introduces students to the basic concepts of math, statistics, accounting, and finance. Given the technical nature of modern finance, this course is designed to prepare students for the challenges of taking advanced finance courses. The course is based on lectures, problem solving, and discussion of concepts.
MBA-710 Understanding World Class Clusters
MBA students only
3.00
This first-semester MBA course introduces students to the topic of world-class clusters as a multi-level phenomenon. Beginning from the macro level of analysis and proceeding to the micro level, the course covers a panoply of concepts and frameworks for understanding why world-class clusters emerge at specific locations in the first place and then regularly succeed in transforming themselves to keep up with and even lead the pace of change in their respective industries. In the group projects that they conduct for this course, students are expected to emulate the characteristics of high-powered teams found in world-class clusters: the course thus begins with conceptual understanding of world-class clusters and then proceeds to have students emulate the behavior that can be observed in world-class clusters.
MBA Core Courses (16.5 credits)
SBS-603 Managerial Economics
3.00
This course is required for MSA and MSF students and it is also a recommended elective for MBA students with a finance concentration. This course develops an understanding of the concepts, tools, and applications of economics at both the micro and macro level. The focus is on how economic analysis influences decision-making in the public and private sectors and how economic tools can enhance managerial effectiveness and organizational efficiency. The economic role of government and its impact on the business environment in a market economy, the factors that influence firm performance and competitiveness, and the role of financial institutions in the current economic environment are discussed throughout the course.
MBA-625 Managerial Statistics
1.50
This course emphasizes the importance of basic concepts in probability and statistics for managerial decision making with a strong emphasis on practical application. Students will learn basic data analysis, random variables and probability distributions, sampling distributions, interval estimation, hypothesis testing and regression. MS Excel will be used throughout the course. Numerous examples are chosen from quality control applications, finance, marketing and Management to illustrate the managerial value of applying sound statistical techniques to the analysis of operational data.
MBA-635 Operations Management: Design and Analysis
MBA-625 or SBS-604 (may be taken concurrently)
3.00
This course provides students with Operations Management concepts, techniques, and tools to design, analyze, and improve operational capabilities in any organization. Students will understand and analyze common OM decisions on managing inputs (materials, information, finances, and human resources) and processes to deliver desirable outcomes to customers. Topics covered include operations strategy, process analysis, quality management and lean operations, capacity analysis, inventory management, product development, supply chain management, project management, revenue management and pricing, decision analysis, and forecasting. Software tools used may include MS Excel, Visio, and Project Management. This course will contain experiential learning components related to Boston's world-class industries, which may include guest lectures, simulation exercises, or visits to local organizations.
MBA-640 Corporate Financial Reporting and Control
3.00
This course deals with the structure and information content of the three principal financial statements of profit-directed companies, namely the income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows. It develops skill in using accounting information to analyze the performance and financial condition of a company, and to facilitate decision making, planning and budgeting, and performance appraisal in a managerial context. This course also contains an experiential component by offering guided inquiry and real company cases.
MBA-650 Value Based Financial Management
1 course from each of the following groups: MBA-615 or SBS-603; MBA-625 or SBS-604; MBA-640 or ACCT-800; These courses may be taken prior to or concurrently with MBA-650.
3.00
This course introduces the basic principles of corporate finance. The main focus is on fundamental principles such as time value of money, asset valuation, and risk and return tradeoff. Topics to be covered also include cost of capital, capital budgeting, and capital structure.
MBA-660 Marketing: the Challenge of Managing Value
3.00
At its core, marketing is about providing consumer value. The practice of doing this is changing constantly-driven by rapid and far-reaching changes in technology; globalization; and the evolution of consumer values, practices, and lifestyles. This course will present themes, theories, and trends that are critical for: 1. understanding the business of creating, capturing and sustaining value; 2. introducing students to the global, consumer, and technological realities of marketing in the 21st Century; and 3. providing students with a sound foundation to explore marketing in further depth in upper-level elective courses. This course also contains an experiential component. .
Understand Business Fundamentals (9 credits)
MBA-721 Collaborate-Teams and Project Management
3.00
This course teaches students critical thinking and problem solving skills in the context of two essential ingredients of collaboration: leading people and teams, and managing projects. Students will learn concepts and processes that support building and launching high performing teams that can manage complex projects efficiently and effectively. Students will collaborate experientially to solve problems facing Boston's world-class industry clusters.
MBA-730 Innovate: Entrepreneurial Thinking, IT, And Business Law
3.00
This course introduces students to three essential ingredients of innovation: Entrepreneurial Thinking, Information Technology in an Age of Disruption, and Law as Framework. Entrepreneurial thinking is a critical element in the creation, growth, and sustainability of an organization. In new ventures, entrepreneurs drive innovation with limited resources and within a flat organization. Information technology, strategically selected and implemented, can provide a significant, competitive advantage. Students will survey the increasingly complex, evolving, and highly competitive business environment in which ethical, legal, economic, and regulatory forces are continuously reshaping the global marketplace both to create and limit competitive opportunities. This course will contain experiential components, relating to Boston's world-class industries.
MBA-740 Immerse- Travel Seminar
Please email Hillary Sabbagh at [email protected] to register for a travel seminar.
3.00
The Immersion course provides an opportunity for students to link their program work to hands-on experience and visits to real-life global companies. The highly experiential, intensive course combines classroom learning with a direct business and cultural experience. Students will work in teams directly for a client or several clients, solving real challenges, using their analytical skills, knowledge, and experience to develop feasible solutions. Required for all MBA students, the course will be offered globally or nationally to accommodate a variety of student needs.
MSF Required Core Courses (15 credits)
FIN-800 Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation
MBA 650
3.00
An in-depth analysis of financial statements, this course is designed to help investors and managers in their assessment of business entity. This course also analyzes financial services industry: bank financial statement analysis with an emphasis on off- balance sheet lending and borrowing, capital structure issues, and innovations in mortgage-backed securities and asset-based financing techniques are covered. Additionally, the tax implications of various derivative securities is studied.
FIN-808 General Theory in Corporate Finance
Take MBA 650
3.00
This course extends the body of knowledge acquired in MBA 650. Students expand knowledge of dividend theory, capital structure theory, capital budgeting, long-term financing decisions, cash management and corporate restructuring, market efficiency, and risk and liability management.
FIN-810 Investment Analysis
MBA-650
3.00
Students examine markets for investment procedures, valuation models, basic analytical techniques, and factors influencing risk/return tradeoffs. This course emphasizes the professional approach to managing investment assets. A variety of investment vehicles are discussed, including stocks, bonds, options, and futures.
FIN-814 Options and Futures
MBA-650
3.00
Students explore the pricing of options and futures contracts, the characteristics of the markets in which these contracts are traded, options and futures strategies, and the application of these contracts in the hedging of financial positions. In addition, students are exposed to swap markets and a variety of swaps.
FIN-818 Financial Econometrics
MBA-650
3.00
Students are introduced to mathematical statistics and basic econometrics. They study fundamental econometric tools as well as hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, linear regressions, simultaneous equations, and models of qualitative choice.
Elective Courses (15 credits)
MSF courses must be taken on campus unless permission to take online granted by Academic Program Director.
- Electives 1 and 2 must be MBA electives; 800-level or above from the Sawyer Business School
- No FNIB or FIN
- Electives 3-5 must be approved MSF courses
Construct the Big Picture (6 credits)
MBA-745 Contextualizing Values Based Decision Making
Take MBA-701, MBA-710, MBA-721, MBA-730, and SBS-700
1.00
This course involves synthesizing and applying the content from Values Based Decision Making through two deliverables, both of which require reflection on the MBA experience. Students will consider the external clients they have worked with in their client oriented classes and the MBA curriculum through an ethical lens. They will focus on identifying organization-based ethical issues and values, applying ethical frameworks to analyze them, and making an argument as leaders or managers for an ethical solution. This course will offer application and synthesis, taught towards the end, allowing students to creatively apply ethical perspectives to what they learned in the MBA.
MBA-750 Building Global Connections
MBA students only. SBS-700, MBA-701, MBA-710, MBA-615(or SBS 603), MBA-625(or SBS 604), MBA-635, MBA-640(or ACCT 800,) MBA-650, MBA-660, MBA-720(or MBA-721), MBA-730, and MBA-745(may be taken concurrently)
3.00
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of the global business environment in a way specifically relevant to innovation in world-class clusters. The course has a three-part format: 1. global business fundamentals; 2. opportunity recognition, validation and planning; and 3. experiential term group project in the elaboration of a proposed innovation. Global business fundamentals include the complexities of operating in the international economic environment, the theory and practice of trade, the global integration and local responsiveness of the multinational firm, the internationalization decision of firms, as well as the different modes of entry.
MBA-760 World Class Strategies
SBS-700, MBA-701, MBA-710, MBA-615(or SBS 603), MBA-625(or SBS 604), MBA-635, MBA-640(or ACCT 800,) MBA-650, MBA-660, MBA-720(or MBA-721), MBA-730, and MBA-745(may be taken concurrently)
3.00
Students engage in a variety of learning activities, such as case studies, computer simulations, examinations, project reports, and most especially, experiential exercises involving competition. Students will develop a multi-functional general management perspective. The course is designed to help students integrate and apply their knowledge and techniques learned in the core courses of the MBA program into an overall view of the firm, evaluate the environment, and speculate on the future direction of the organization. Students will also learn about the principal concepts, frameworks, and techniques of strategic management, they will develop the capacity for strategic thinking, and they will examine the organizational and environmental contexts in which strategic management unfolds. This course will make extensive use of experiential activities and projects designed to get students to experience the dynamics of competition right in the classroom.
Lead and Implement Change and Capstone Course (6 credits)
MBA-770 Leading and Implementing Change
MBA students only. SBS-700 MBA-701 MBA-710 MBA-615 MBA-625 MBA-635 MBA-640 MBA-650 MBA-660 MBA-720(or MBA-721) MBA-730 MBA-745 MBA-750 MBA-760 (MBA 745, MBA-750 and MBA-760 may be taken concurrently with MBA 770)
3.00
The final course in the MBA curriculum ties together the integral components of the four industry clusters, strategy and business fundamentals to the experience of leading change. Students experience the change process personally through a simulation. Students then apply their learning to an applied project based in one of the four clusters that is team-based, client-focused, grounded in research, and integrates MBA concepts as required with a final presentation to a live client. As part of understanding change, students will also evaluate the wider societal impacts of the business change. Finally, students reflect on their MBA program in total, revisiting their career plan and vision. This course uses multiple approaches, defining, understanding and experiencing the strategic value of change at the organizational, team, and individual levels.
FIN-820 Financial Policy
Take FIN-808, FIN-810, and FIN-814. (FIN-814 can be taken concurrently)
3.00
Students examine financial theories, techniques, and models applied to the study of corporate financial decisions, aspects of corporate strategy, industry structure, and the functioning of capital markets.
Waiver Policy
MBA core courses may be waived. Required MBA courses (SBS 700, MBA 701. MBA 710, MBA 721, MBA 730, MBA 740, MBA 745, MBA 750, MBA 760 and MBA 770) cannot be waived. To waive an MBA core course, a student must successfully complete equivalent academic coursework at the undergraduate/graduate level in the seven (7) years prior to MBA/MSF matriculation, with a grade of “B” or better, and provide official transcripts (with English translations, if applicable).
All waiver requests are evaluated upon a student’s acceptance into the MBA/MSF Program and are waived during the student's first semester. Students may also elect to take a proficiency exam, for a fee, to gain a waiver. Proficiency exams must be taken in the first semester and are administered on the Boston Campus.
All MBA/MSF students must complete a minimum of 58 credits in the Sawyer Business School.
Transfer Credit Policy
Any candidate seeking transfer credits, taken at the graduate level from an AACSB-accredited graduate program in business, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. These credits may be considered for transfer if the credits do not apply to a previously completed degree.
Transfer credits must have an earned grade of "B" or better and be taken within five (5) years prior to entering the Suffolk MBA/MSF program. However, at the discretion of the MSF program director, MSF required core courses may not be transferred if the subject material has changed significantly since completion. A maximum of six (6) credits may be considered for transfer.
Students Who Leave Boston Before Their Degree is Complete
Occasionally, Suffolk MBA/MSF students must leave the Boston area having not yet completed their degree. The Business School has several options available to insure completion of the Suffolk MBA/MSF. You may be able to transfer in six (6) credits of elective courses from an AACSB-accredited MBA or MSF Program close to your new place of residence. Courses must be pre-approved by Suffolk’s Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs and have a grade of “B” or better.
Students may also complete the MBA portion of the MBA/MSF online.