Photo of Stuart School of Business students at work around a table

Business Administration (M.B.A.)/Finance (M.S.)

The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) and Master of Science in Finance (MSF) dual-degree program at Illinois Institute of Technology’s Stuart School of Business is ideal for professionals whose careers, or career aspirations, are in leadership positions at the intersection of business management and finance.

With its rigorous, tech-focused curriculum, the Illinois Tech M.B.A is designed to develop your innovation mindset and the intellectual agility to take on complex business challenges. Courses feature case studies, projects, and hands-on use of technology to build your analytical, strategic, and managerial skills.

Our nationally-ranked M.S. in Finance program draws on Chicago’s resources as an international financial center to give students opportunities for internships, networking, and professional development. Courses are tuned to the leading-edge of financial technology and taught by faculty who use their industry experience to connect theory with practice.

Through Illinois Tech’s one-of-a-kind Elevate program, you are guaranteed access to hands-on experiences throughout your graduate education, such as virtual and in-person internships, and personalized mentorship to guide your academic studies and career planning.

Our exclusive partnership with Chicago Innovation provides Stuart M.B.A. students with a free membership and access to the organization’s many business and networking events, which are annually attended by more than 10,000 successful professionals.

Enrolling in this dual-degree program reduces the total requirement for earning the two degrees by four courses (12 credits), compared to earning the M.B.A. and MSF degrees separately.

STEM-Designated Program

M.S. in Finance is a STEM-designated program, and international graduates of the program are eligible to apply for an extension for Optional Practical Training.

Learn more about each program:

Master of Business Administration

M.S. in Finance
 

Program Overview

Combining the managerial and strategic skills developed by the M.B.A. with the specialized knowledge and quantitative skills of the M.S. in Finance, this dual-degree program prepares students for leadership positions at the intersection of business and finance.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the M.B.A./M.S. in Finance dual-degree program are prepared for positions that require high levels of both management ability and financial expertise, such as director of finance, financial manager, and other senior-level jobs at corporations, financial institutions, financial services companies, private equity and investment firms, nonprofit organizations, and governmental agencies.

Disclaimer for prospective students, please read.
The information provided is sourced from a third party, Lightcast, and is provided here for informational and educational purposes only. Please be advised that the inclusion of the Lightcast resource on this website does not imply endorsement by Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), nor is it a guarantee of the accuracy of this information. Illinois Tech makes no representation, warranty or guarantee, express or implied, that the information presented herein is reflective of the outcomes you can expect if you enroll in or graduate from an Illinois Tech program. Illinois Tech expressly disclaims any liability regarding Lightcast, or in connection with any actual or potential employment opportunity stemming from information on this site and you hereby irrevocably waive any claim(s) against the Illinois Tech for the same. Your use of this web page is an acknowledgement of your understanding and acceptance of the terms and conditions set forth herein. You are encouraged to conduct your own thorough research into job opportunities and outcomes in your field of study.
  • The M.B.A./M.S. in Finance dual-degree program requires completion of 57 credits (19 courses at three credits per course) with a grade-point average of 3.0 or above. Students must complete a minimum of 30 M.B.A. credits and 27 M.S. in Finance credits.
  • Core courses may be waived by the director of the relevant program and students may take advanced elective courses in their place.
Master of Business Administration

Completion of 10 courses (30 credits) is required. See descriptions for Business (BUS) and MBA Business (MBA) courses.

Core Courses—Seven courses (21 credits)

  • BUS 510—Strategy and Innovation
  • MBA 504—Analytics for Decision Making
  • MBA 505: Microeconomics and Game Theory
  • MBA 506: Leadership and Organizational Design
  • MBA 511—Marketing Strategy
  • MBA 513—Operations and Technology Management
  • BUS 590—Business Strategy Capstone

Elective Courses—Choose any three courses (nine credits)

  • MBA 522—The General Manager
  • MBA 523—Negotiations and Strategic Decision Making
  • MBA 532—Artificial Intelligence
  • MBA 534—Blockchain
  • MBA 536—Internet of Things
  • MBA 564—Global Business Strategy
  • MBA 576—New Technology Ventures
Master of Science in Finance

Completion of nine courses (27 credits) is required, typically consisting of six core courses and three elective courses.

Core Courses—Six courses (18 credits)

  • MSF 501—Math with Financial Applications
  • MSF 502—Statistical Analysis in Financial Markets
  • MSF 503—Financial Modeling
  • MSF 504—Valuation and Portfolio Management
  • MSF 505—Futures, Option, and OTC Derivatives
  • MSF 506—Financial Statement Analysis

Use the link below to see MSF course descriptions and the list of elective courses to choose from. Note that MSF elective courses are organized into concentrations. Students who complete two or more courses within a particular concentration will have the concentration recognized on official transcripts.

VIEW DETAILS

  • Students must apply and be accepted to both programs: Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) and M.S. in Finance. See each program page for specific admission requirements.
  • Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited educational institution with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, have a strong record of academic achievement, and be highly recommended.
  • No GMAT or GRE scores required
  • English proficiency exam, if required

International Students: Maintaining Eligibility

International students (F-1, J-1) must maintain full-time enrollment (nine credit hours per semester in the fall and spring semesters) in order to remain in the United States. It is possible for an international student to discontinue the M.B.A. program and continue the M.S. in Finance program as a full-time program. However, an international student who discontinues the M.S. in Finance program for any reason must leave the dual-degree program because the M.B.A. is a part-time program.

Claire Johnson, Stuart School of Business

Have Questions? Connect with Us

For any questions about Stuart School of Business degree programs or the application and enrollment process, contact our Director of Student Recruitment Claire Johnson.

Scholarships

Domestic students pursuing the Master of Business Administration/M.S. in Finance dual-degree program in academic year 2024–25 are eligible for the Chicago Talent Pipeline Scholarship, which awards up to $424 per credit hour and is distributed across the 57 credits required for both programs during enrollment in the dual-degree program, for a total of approximately $24,000. This award is deferrable up to one year. Students seeking Stuart dual degrees are only eligible for one Stuart scholarship.

International students pursuing the Master of Business Administration/M.S. in Finance dual-degree program in academic year 2024–25 are eligible for the Stuart School of Business Dean’s Scholarship, which awards up to $424 per credit hour and is distributed across the 57 credits required for both programs during enrollment in the dual-degree program, for a total of approximately $24,000. This award is deferrable up to one year. Students seeking Stuart dual degrees are only eligible for one Stuart scholarship.

Read more about scholarship opportunities and tuition and aid below:

Graduate Scholarships   Tuition and Fees

“My career goals are to work as a trader and eventually transition into a private equity firm. Ideally, I would like to start my own firm one day. Since private equity requires a solid understanding of financial modeling, equity valuation, and various business models, I felt that completing both the M.S. in Finance and the M.B.A. would increase my chances.”

—Trevor Wheeler (M.B.A./M.S. Finance ’19), Associate Trader, Clear Capital Group, LLC

Trevor Wheeler

Featured Faculty

M. Krishna Erramilli
Interim Dean Professor of Strategy
Yiwei Fang
Associate Professor of Finance
Smriti Anand
Assistant Director, Master of Business Administration Professor of Management
Ricky Cooper
Director, Ph.D. in Finance Director, M.S. in Finance Director, M.S. in Financial Economics Director, M.S. in Economics and Data Analytics Associate Professor of Finance
Haizhi Wang
Professor of Finance
Elizabeth Durango Cohen
Associate Professor of Operations Management M. Zia Hassan Endowed Professor Assistant Director, M.S. in Marketing Analytics Director, Center for Advancing Corporate Performance
Ben Van Vliet
Associate Director, M.S. Finance Associate Director, M.S. Financial Economics Associate Director, Ph.D. Finance Associate Professor of Finance Director, Center for Strategic Finance
Sang Baum "Solomon" Kang
Assistant Director, Undergraduate Programs in Business Associate Professor of Finance

Stuart Stands Out

#24

Rank in the U.S. of the M.S. in Finance Program

—TFE Times (2023)

98.4%

Career Placement Rate

—Stuart School of Business 2022 master’s and Ph.D. graduates reporting

AACSB logo

Stuart is AACSB Accredited. Only 6% of Business Schools Globally Are.

—Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International

Move Your Career Forward

Career development

Stuart’s Career Management Center offers individualized career counseling, resources for job and internship search, and opportunities to network with industry professionals.

Alumni relations

A global network of accomplished Illinois Tech alumni is available to engage with and support our students.