Superior education you can trust and afford with the flexibility you need.
The Master of Finance degree program is designed for working professionals as well as recent college graduates. While prior business education is not required to be admitted into the program, undergraduate degrees in sciences, engineering, mathematics, economics, or business are highly recommended.
All applicants are required to have:
- A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized academic institution of acceptable standing and accreditation.
- Strong evidence of quantitative skills is required. If evidence of strong quantitative skills is not evident on your transcript, the GMAT/GRE may be requested to be considered for admission.
GMAT/GRE Waivers Available
Our admissions process is highly competitive, and a strong GMAT/GRE score can significantly strengthen an application. However, candidates may still make a compelling case for admission without a GMAT or GRE score by submitting application materials that demonstrate strong quantitative and analytical skills through prior academic achievements and/or professional experience. To be considered for the GMAT/GRE waiver, please leave the application test score section blank.
Waiver Eligibility Checklist
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, along with successful completion of significant quantitative coursework, such as Calculus I and II, or Linear Algebra, or Probability and Statistics I and II.
- For working professionals who do not meet the GPA qualification, waivers may be granted based on significant quantitatively-focused professional work experience.
Note to Current UMass Amherst Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students at UMass Amherst may be eligible to accelerate this degree program. Please visit our 4+1 Programs page for more information.
STEM OPT
The MF degree offered on the Amherst campus is ideal for international students. The STEM OPT classification allows students to extend their time in the U.S. to gain practical work experience, and the CPT requirements allow them to accept paid internships. Our MF STEM degree offers students highly sought-after technical expertise.
Application Deadlines
Early Action: February 1
Regular: April 1
Extended: June 1*
**Domestic applicants and international students currently on a Visa studying in the U.S.
Admissions Notes
Admissions will be done on a rolling basis up to the early action deadline. Applications submitted after the early action deadline will be reviewed based on space availability through the final deadline.
In order to meet I20/Visa requirements, international students must apply by the early action deadline to be guaranteed consideration for admission.
All students are encouraged to apply early as demand is high and space is limited.
Early Action Deadline Benefits
If you apply by the early action deadline, you will receive several educational and financial benefits:
- $85 application fee reimbursement on your first tuition invoice.
- Guaranteed consideration for admission.
- Additional time to plan finances.
- Early access to upcoming career and professional development opportunities.
- For students studying on an F1 visa, this allows more time for visa processing.
Application Requirements
Online Application
All prospective students must complete a University of Massachusetts Amherst Graduate School Graduate Admissions Online Application.
Personal Statement
A personal essay should be one to two pages in length, and include information about your past and current academic and professional history, your future goals and reasons for pursuing the Master of Finance, and other pertinent details that will help us evaluate you as a candidate.
Resumé/CV
Work experience is not a requirement for admission to the Master of Finance program, but will enhance your application. Your resume should outline your work history. Recent college graduates should include any internship experience, as well as community service, student and civic club membership, and athletics.
Official Transcripts
Please submit your transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, undergraduate and graduate, where nine (9) or more credits were earned. Unofficial transcripts uploaded to the 'Additional Materials' page of your application are acceptable. Upon admittance, official transcripts will need to be submitted, either electronically or in paper format, directly by each institution's Registrar to the Graduate Student Service Center. Review the instructions on this page for instructions on submitting official transcripts.
Current UMass Undergraduate Students: You are not required to submit a transcript from UMass Amherst.
Letters of Recommendation
Your two letters of recommendation should be from individuals who know you on a professional level and well enough to provide specific examples and details regarding your past performance and competencies. Two professional references are encouraged, but one academic and one professional reference is acceptable.
GMAT/GRE Waiver Available
GMAT/GRE Waivers Available: A GMAT/GRE waiver is granted for an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. To be considered for the GMAT/GRE waiver, leave the application test score section blank. If you don’t meet the GPA qualification, waivers may be considered for individuals with professional work experience.
Interview
By invitation, candidates will meet with members of the admissions committee to discuss their professional and academic experiences.
Information for International Applicants
English Language Proficiency Exam Scores
If your native language is not English, and you are not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, you must submit your official scores from a standardized English language proficiency test. Test scores must be submitted directly by the testing agency in order to be considered official. For admission to the MF program, the minimum combined TOEFL score is 100; the minimum IELTS Academic combined score is 7; the minimum Duolingo English Test overall score is 120; and the minimum PTE Academic overall score is 68. Please note, when reviewing an application, the UMass Graduate School does not superscore language tests (e.g. we do not accept the ETS MyBest Score set). Please consult the UMass Graduate School international applicants page for additional details.
Degree Equivalency
A three-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution may be considered sufficient if an official course-by-course credential evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) indicates your education is equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. If you are not sure if your degree is equal to a U.S. four-year degree, please use this free online degree equivalency tool prior to submitting your application.
Transcripts and Degree Certificates
If your transcript does not clearly indicate the awarding of your degree, with the degree title and date awarded, we need the diploma and/or degree certificate in addition to the official final transcripts.
English Translation
Transcripts and degree documents that are in a language other than English must be accompanied with an official English translation or an official credential evaluation from a NACES member.
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.
Take the first step.
Fill out the form to start the conversation and one of our program specialists will follow up with you directly.