A modern finance curriculum
MF students gain practical, real-world experience through a rigorous, modern curriculum that integrates team-based learning, hands-on problem solving, real-time analysis using Bloomberg terminals, and applications of artificial intelligence. The same faculty deliver the MF curriculum on-campus in Amherst or online, full-time or part-time.
Career Paths
Alternative Investments coursework prepares students for careers in investment management, asset allocation, and advisory services. Students gain expertise in hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, and real estate, developing skills in valuation, portfolio construction, and risk management. 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.
Financial Analyst coursework prepares students for analytical roles in banking, asset management, insurance, and corporate finance. Students build expertise in valuation, risk assessment, financial modeling, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, preparing them for careers in corporate finance, investment banking, equity research, and risk management. Graduates are well-prepared for financial analyst roles in a variety of settings, such as corporate finance, investment banking, equity research, and risk management.
Industry-Aligned Curriculum
The Master of Finance curriculum is designed to equip students with the analytical, artificial intelligence, and leadership skills demanded by today's finance industry. Through a combination of rigorous coursework, hands-on learning, and exposure to emerging technologies, students develop expertise in financial decision-making, investment analysis, valuation, risk management, and data-driven finance.
CFA Institute Alignment
The MF curriculum is aligned with the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), covering key topics including ethics, economics, financial reporting, equity analysis, portfolio management, and quantitative methods.
CAIA Association Alignment
The MF curriculum also aligns with CAIA program learning objectives in alternative investments. Through Isenberg's partnership with the CAIA Association, eligible MF graduates may bypass the Level I exam and proceed directly to Level II.
Academic Partnerships
Isenberg's academic partnerships extend the MF experience beyond the classroom, creating access to industry thought leaders and executives, conferences, research opportunities, and more. Students also have access to unparalleled resources including multiple Bloomberg terminals, the Morningstar CISDM Hedge Fund/CTA database, CRSP database for historical stock prices, Compustat, OptionMetrics, Morningstar Direct, and Thomson Financials 13F institutional holdings data.
Located at Isenberg, CISDM is a leading research center focused on derivatives, alternative investments, and asset and risk management. Through CISDM, students gain access to industry leaders, conferences, the Morningstar CISDM Database, and opportunities to participate in financial markets research.
The CAIA Association offers the globally recognized CAIA Charter for alternative investment professionals. As one of only 20 CAIA Academic Partners, Isenberg provides students with unique access to CAIA-affiliated curriculum, faculty expertise, and industry connections. Eligible MF graduates may receive a waiver of the CAIA Level I exam and access to scholarships for the Level II exam.
Through the CFA Institute, students gain access to research, publications, career resources, webinars, and a global network of finance professionals, supporting both professional development and CFA exam preparation.
Free CQF Institute membership gives students access to webinars, masterclasses, industry research, and networking opportunities focused on quantitative finance, data science, and financial engineering.
4+1 Master's Degrees
Earn your bachelor's and master's degrees in five years through Isenberg's 4+1 programs. Available to eligible UMass Amherst and Five College students, the pathway includes the Master of Finance (MF), Master of Science in Accounting (MSA), Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA), Master of Science in Sport Management, and Master of Science in Management (MSM).
UMass Amherst students may also qualify for an accelerated option, allowing them to complete both degrees in fewer than five years. Students are encouraged to apply to their chosen master's program during their junior year or early in their senior year to maximize the benefits of the 4+1 pathway.
MF Faculty
Apply Now
Follow our step-by-step process to complete your online application.
- Review the program specific admissions requirements.
- Click Apply Now to go to the University's Graduate School site where you can find a link to the secure online application.
- First-time users will need to create an account to start a new application. Note: You can submit your application before you have all your materials ready, simply save and resume your application as you gather required materials.
- After submitting, track your application at the Graduate School Status of Application page.