The Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst continues to expand its portfolio of career-focused graduate education with the spring 2027 launch of the online Master of Finance (MF) program. Plus, the school has developed new coursework for the MF program on corporate valuations and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as an expanded pathway for students from non-finance backgrounds who can begin foundational coursework in the summer, prior to their fall semester start.
Students in the online Master of Finance program will gain practical, real-world experience through a rigorous, modern curriculum that integrates team-based learning, hands-on problem solving, and real-time analysis using Bloomberg terminals and AI applications. It will be offered in full-time and part-time capacities.
“Students will build the essential knowledge required for managing hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, and real estate,” said Nikunj Kapadia, professor of finance and chair of the Finance Department. “Our graduates are well prepared for a variety of roles on the buy-and-sell side, including investment management firms and investment banks, as well as for advisory functions in the rapidly growing alternative investments space.”
The online degree allows for a specialization in alternative investments, while the on-campus version also offers a financial analyst specialization. The same faculty will deliver the curriculum on the Amherst campus and online.
“Our Master of Finance program is designed with a clear focus on return on investment, with in-state and online tuition at approximately $30,000” said Anne Massey, dean of Isenberg. “The online MF program provides a strong value proposition for working professionals as they can meaningfully expand their career opportunities without leaving their current roles.”
“The Master of Finance program is increasingly attracting academically strong and ambitious students from a diverse set of majors who didn’t have prerequisite training in accounting and finance,” said Kapadia. “The new curriculum provides an expanded pathway, giving the students the foundational classes they need over the summer, so they arrive in the fall ready to study the MF core.” He noted that these classes are not required for students with prior academic or industry experience in the field.
In addition to offering new coursework on corporate valuations and AI, the Master of Finance program has also introduced a new Financial Analyst track, focused on public equity, debt, and derivative markets; and has increased the number of electives. The new track supplements the existing Alternative Investments track.
“Our program now trains students in both public and private markets, which is increasingly what employers expect,” said Kapadia. “Analysts on either side need to understand both markets and be able to move between them as opportunities arise.”
The Online Master of Finance is STEM-designated, enabling international students the opportunity to extend their time in the U.S. and gain practical work experience through internships and full-time positions. Isenberg’s Office of Career Success complements this by offering students the professional development needed to secure their career path.