Master of Finance

 
Master of Finance Viewbook
Master of Finance Handbook

FAQ

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A. General Questions
B. Admissions
C. Program Overview
D. Tuition and Funding
E. Career Opportunities


A. GENERAL

How does the Schulich MF program compare to Schulich’s MBA program?
The 12 month full-time MF is ideal for individuals committed to a specialized career in finance. The program provides an in-depth training ground in finance that is comprehensive, practical and intellectually challenging. While previous work experience is recommended, it is not required for admission into the program. Students are, however, expected to have a strong grounding in economic theory, statistics, strong communication skills, and one full year of university-level calculus.

Our two year MBA program can be taken full or part-time. It is designed for individuals with a minimum of two years work experience, who wish to gain general management skills with the option to specialize in a variety of sectors or functional areas, such as finance, marketing or organizational behaviour.

How does the Schulich MF compare with the Diploma in Financial Engineering?
The MF covers a much broader spectrum of finance disciplines, whereas the diploma in financial engineering focuses on the theoretical knowledge and specialized skills necessary to develop new financial instruments and to understand the role of financial instruments in risk management. The diploma, which can be completed part-time, consists of 5 master’s level courses in financial engineering and math.

The MF is a CFA Institute Partner Program. What does this mean?
Program partnership with the CFA Institute signifies that the content covered throughout the Master of Finance program satisfies a significant portion of the curriculum requirements for the CFA exams.

In addition, the program partner status will provide students with access to specialized on-line Level I sample exams, scholarships, the Financial Newsbrief, a daily investment newsletter, and other CFA publications.

Can I become a CFA charterholder upon completion of my studies?
While the MF program covers a significant portion of the course work needed to successfully write all three levels of the CFA exam, in order to become a CFA charterholder you must have at least 48 months of work experience and meet the membership requirements. A detailed overview of the program and membership requirements can be found on the CFA Institute website.
Additional information about the CFA exam and program can be found on The Toronto CFA society website.

I already have a CFA. What are the benefits of doing the MF program?
There is some overlap between the CFA curriculum and the MF program. However, in the MF, the coverage is more in-depth, particularly in the area of investment banking. Because the MF is a graduate academic degree, there is a research component in the program, and students are exposed to cutting-edge scholarly work in the field. There are also important learning tools such as data analysis, statistical and software applications that are not part of the CFA curriculum.

B. ADMISSIONS

Will my application be considered if I am missing some materials, such as a GMAT (or GRE) score, or letters of reference?
No, only applications that are complete will be evaluated.

What are the admission criteria for the MF program?
The admissions criteria for the MF program are outlined in detail on our website under Admission Requirements. Further questions regarding admission requirements can be directed to mfadmissions@schulich.yorku.ca or by calling (416) 736-5060.

C. PROGRAM OVERVIEW

When is the start date of the program in 2012?
The first course in the program runs in the first three weeks of August. The start date for the 2012/13 academic year is August 7, 2012. A mandatory orientation for the program will be held from July 31, 2012 to August 2, 2012. A detailed schedule of the orientation will be provided once students have accepted their offer of admission.

Can I study part-time?
The MF program is a 12 month full-time program, which commences in August of each year.

Can I apply for advanced standing or waiver with replacement for any MF courses?
It is expected that students take all of the courses outlined in the MF curriculum. Advanced standing or waiver with replacement is not possible in the MF program.

Can I increase my course load in the program by taking MBA courses, courses out of faculty or at other universities?
Due to the intensity of the program, MF students are not permitted to take additional courses in the MBA stream, out of faculty or at other universities as part of their MF degree requirements. Initially, however, some of the MF required courses will be cross-taught with MBA students offering a classroom opportunity for MF students to connect with their peers in the MBA program.

Can MBA students take MF classes?
MFIN coded courses are restricted to students in the MF program. MBA students, however, can select any FINE coded finance elective for which they have the appropriate pre-requisite(s).

Can I take a leave of absence during the program?
Due to the sequential nature of the program, only under exceptional circumstances, with the approval of the Student Affairs Committee, may students take a one year leave of absence.

D. TUITION AND FUNDING

How much is tuition?
Tuition fees for the 2012-2013 MF class are $44,837 for domestic students and $52,528 for international students.

What funding is available to me throughout my studies?
A limited number of scholarships and bursaries are available for MF students. Eligible students may also be considered for financial assistance. Students may also apply for a line of credit. At the beginning of each term, Schulich arranges for a Royal Bank of Canada representative to meet with students on campus to discuss line of credit options. In addition, students are encouraged to apply for scholarships such as the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and the Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) fellowship.

E. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

What career opportunities are available for MF graduates?
As a Schulich Master of Finance graduate, job prospects range from investment banking and asset management to positions in private equity firms, central banks, hedge funds, consulting firms and government agencies. Explore the Career Opportunities page for a list of companies that have recently hired Master of Finance graduates.

What support will I receive to secure a job after graduation?
MF students have access to the Richard Waugh Career Development Centre (CDC) at Schulich, which offers one-on-one career coaching with finance specialists Minoo Bhutani, Director of the Career Development Centre and CDC Career Counsellor Mike Nadal. Also available are self-assessment tools, workshops, networking events with industry professionals and alumni and much more. Once you have graduated from Schulich, you will be able to continue to access many of the services offered through the CDC as well as the Schulich alumni network.

Students can visit the Career Development website for further details.