Philosophy
The MFIN program is aimed at developing highly qualified individuals wishing to become technical experts in the finance field. Our program provides the region with professionals who are well equipped with knowledge of relevant, cutting-edge financial theories and tools.
Admission to the Program
Normally, there is one admission deadline a year, in March, for enrollment in the fall term. For more details, please refer to the Office of Admissions section of the AUB graduate catalogue under Application Procedures.
Criteria for Admission
To be eligible for admission to the MFIN program, students must hold a bachelor’s degree and must satisfy the requirements of the university for admission to graduate study.
The MFIN program is looking to attract and admit candidates with the following qualifications:
- The applicants must possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited university with a GPA in the last 60 credits of at least 3.3 or equivalent. For universities that do not follow the credit system, the cumulative average of the applicant will be taken into consideration.
- Students with a non-quantitative background may be asked to take the GMAT or GRE exam. Students with a quantitative background, specifically those coming from the fields of finance, accounting, mathematics, physics, engineering, and economics, are exempted from the GMAT or GRE requirement.
- Students not having an undergraduate degree in business will be required to take at least two prerequisite (i.e., remedial) courses in accounting and finance prior to enrolling in the program.
- Interviews may be conducted with the MFIN applicants whenever deemed necessary.
The Application Process
To apply for admission to the MFIN program, an applicant must submit the following:
- An application form
- Two letters of recommendation
- An official transcript for all undergraduate and/or graduate coursework
- Proof of English proficiency (please refer to Readiness for University Studies in English - RUSE)
- A GMAT or GRE score for students coming from a non-quantitative non-business background
- A curriculum vitae
- A statement of purpose
- A personal interview
- An application Fee
Program Components
Overview
Students can complete the MFIN program in four terms starting the fall term provided they pass all core and elective courses and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 in all courses taken for graduate credit. Students coming from non-business backgrounds must also complete all their remedial courses. Failing to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 upon completion of the courses for the program’s academic year or obtaining a grade less than C+ in any course will cause a delay in graduation until the program requirements are met. Students can also satisfy all the above requirements if registered part-time over two calendar years.
Program Highlights
- Master in finance program (MFIN) is aimed at developing highly qualified individuals with in-depth knowledge and expertise in the finance field.
- The program meets the needs of students who have a passion for finance and who are seeking to advance their careers in this field. It equips students with the appropriate range of analytical and research proficiencies and helps them acquire specialized (hard and soft) skills needed to excel as finance professionals.
- Students will develop a knowledge base in all areas of finance, including structured finance, financial markets, commercial and investment banking, portfolio management, equity valuation, corporate finance, energy finance, risk management, private equity, real estate finance, fintech, digital transformation, decentralized finance, and cryptocurrency drawing on case studies from Lebanon and the MENA region.
- MFIN prepares students to work in a wide range of financial roles including commercial and investment banking, risk management, asset and private wealth management, private equity and venture capital, consulting, auditing, CFO offices of national, regional, and multinational institutions and family business, among others.
Program Outline
In order to fulfill the MFIN graduation requirements, students must complete the following on a full-time or part-time basis as tabulated below.
|
Course Type |
Credits Hours (minimum) |
| Core | 18 |
| Electives | 12 |
| Total Number of Credits Required for Graduation | 30
|
No project (thesis) will be required.
The Curriculum
The graduate program consists of six core courses and four electives. The core courses span the various areas of corporate finance, risk analysis and management, banking, investments, portfolio theory, and quantitative finance. The program closely follows the CFA curriculum and covers the material of the three CFA levels and beyond.
The core courses are in the general areas of:
- MFIN 301: Financial Statement Analysis
- MFIN 303: Structured Finance
- MFIN 304: Equity Valuation
- MFIN 305: Quantitative Methods of Finance
- MFIN 306: Portfolio Management and Security Analysis
- MFIN 307: Financial Strategy
Four elective courses may be chosen from the following list:
- MFIN 351: Fixed Income Securities
- MFIN 353: Financial Econometric to Empirical Finance
- MFIN 354: Risk Management in Financial Institutions
- MFIN 355: Private Equity
- MFIN 356: Financial Markets in the Middle East Region
- MFIN 357: Energy Finance
- MFIN 358: Real Estate Finance and Investment
- MFIN 359: Entrepreneurial Finance
- MFIN 363: Strategy in Commercial Banking Management
- MFIN 399: Applied Investment Management
- MFIN 350B: Cryptocurrencies and the Blockchain
- MFIN 350C: Project Finance
Students not having an undergraduate degree in business will be required to take, prior to enrolling in the MFIN program, one prerequisite/remedial course of 3 credits:
- Financial Accounting/Basics of Finance
Program Delivery
The MFIN Program can be completed in four terms in accordance with the recommended time frame suggested below for students enrolled in the program on a full-time basis.
Four Terms MFIN Degree Plan
|
Course Title |
Normal (Cr.) |
Core/
Elective/
Remedial |
Summer Term (Required for Non-BBA Holders)
|
| Preterm Course: Financial Accounting/Basics of Finance | 0 | Remedial
|
Fall 1 Term
|
| MFIN 301: Financial Statement Analysis | 3 | Core |
| MFIN 303: Structured Finance | 3 | Core |
| MFIN 305: Quantitative Methods of Finance | 3 | Core |
| MFIN 306: Portfolio Management and Security Analysis | 3 | Core
|
Spring Term
|
| MFIN 304: Equity Valuation | 3 | Core |
| MFIN 307: Advanced Corporate Finance | 3 | Core |
| Elective I | 3 | Elective |
| Elective II | 3 | Elective
|
Summer Term
|
| Elective III | 3 | Elective |
| Elective IV | 3 | Elective
|
Fall 2 Term
|
| MFIN 350F: Ethics in Finance | 3 | Core
|
Students enrolled in the program on a part-time basis can complete the requirements in six terms (two years).
Two-Year MFIN Degree Plan
|
Course Title |
Normal (Cr.) |
Core/
Elective/
Remedial |
Summer Term (Required for Non-BBA Holders)
|
| Preterm Course: Financial Accounting/Basics of Finance | 0 | Remedial
|
Year 1 Fall Term
|
| MFIN 301: Financial Statement Analysis | 3 | Core |
| MFIN 305: Quantitative Methods of Finance | 3 | Core
|
Year 1 Spring Term
|
| MFIN 304: Equity Valuation | 3 | Core |
| Elective I | 3 | Elective
|
Year 1 Summer Term
|
| Elective II | 3 | Elective |
| Elective III | 3 | Elective
|
Year 2 Fall Term
|
| MFIN 303: Structured Finance | 3 | Core |
| MFIN 306: Portfolio Management and Security Analysis | 3 | Core |
| MFIN 350F: Ethics in Finance | 3 | Core
|
Year 2 Spring Term
|
| MFIN 307: Advanced Corporate Finance | 3 | Core |
| Elective IV | 3 | Elective
|
Academic Policies
Academic Rules and Regulations
University Academic Rules and Regulations on courses, grades, probation, and dismissal apply. The minimum passing grade in a course is (C+). Students in the MFIN program are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 in all courses to meet graduation requirements.
Academic Advisers
Students should consult with the director of the MFIN program for academic advice.
MFIN Courses and Course Descriptions