MS Finance | Assessment of Learning

Program Learning Goals & Objectives

Program Goal #1-Project Analysis: Students are able to analyze and evaluate projects

(initiatives by business entities)  

  1. Formulate cash flows for project analysis.
  2. Apply appropriate metrics and make recommendations based on analysis.

Program Goal #2 –Security Analysis: Students are able to analyze and evaluate stocks, bonds, and derivatives

  1. Analyze stocks and bonds to evaluate risk as well as value.
  2. Analyze and evaluate derivatives such as options, futures, and swaps.

Program Goal #3 –Risk Management:  Students are able to quantify and articulate risk in various financial contexts and plan appropriate risk mitigation.

  1. Analyze stocks and bonds to evaluate risk as well as value.
  2. Analyze and evaluate derivatives such as options, futures, and swaps.

Program Goal #4 –Communication: Students are able to effectively convey results of financial analysis and articulate any recommendation

  1. Demonstrate proficiency in communicating and reporting results of analysis.
  2. Demonstrate proficiency in financial data visualization.

Program Goal #5 – Quantitative Modeling: Students are able to use mathematical and data-based modeling.

  1. Students use mathematical and data-based modeling to solve financial problems in areas such as risk management, portfolio construction, and pricing financial instruments.

Outcomes Data

We have compiled data to assess competency objectives through our MS Finance courses, These course serves as a comprehensive tool for evaluating progress toward our key objectives and AACSB accreditation standards, as it is a mandatory requirement for all undergraduate students. We have outlined various assessment methods across different areas of the course, which allow us to collect data and measure performance against established benchmarks.

Find program outcomes data here: MS Finance

Closing the Loop & Continuous Improvement

When program objective assessments are submitted, the submission form includes a section for a "closing the loop" discussion. This allows for reflection on potential adjustments that could be made to enhance the ongoing improvement of the MS Finance program. These discussions, along with other efforts, have highlighted areas where changes could be implemented.

Student performance

  • Elective Course in Negotiation: Students interested in personal financial planning could take MGMT 755 (Negotiation) as an elective in 2022–23, aligning with Advisory Board recommendations.
  • Bloomberg Terminal Certification: The program requires Bloomberg Market Concept certification, funded by the Advisory Board. M.S. Finance students also participated in networking activities.

Potential changes to assessment methods

  • Program Goal 5: Cash Flows, Risk, and Value: Modifications to a portfolio optimization project in FINC 725 increased instructional hours on efficient frontier analysis. Re-assessment showed all students meeting the benchmark, and the loop was closed.
  • Program Goal 6: Use of Financial Technology in Analyzing Data: A new course, FINC 761 (Algorithmic Trading), was revised to incorporate Python for financial analysis and data visualization. Communication skills in this goal will be reassessed in the next cycle.