A variety of master of finance degree programs in Virginia offer students the skills they need to function at the management level in business today. The state boasts some of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the entire country, and also features respected universities known for high research activity. Virginia is close to the capital region of Washington, D.C., so students who graduate with a degree in finance may seek careers with a variety of politically affiliated companies after graduation. Degrees in finance are considered valuable because students routinely obtain a job in an area of their choosing after graduation.

College of William & Mary

Raymond A. Mason School of Business

A research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, the College of William & Mary bears the distinction as one of the oldest colleges in the country. The only college that’s older is Harvard. Interestingly, the College of William & Mary was a private school for over 200 years until it became a public school in 1906. As such, the college is considered one of the Public Ivies of the country as academia considers the college to offer an education that’s comparable to the private Ivy League schools. The college has ushered into the working world some of the most respected presidents and key figures in the United States.

Master of Business Administration in Finance

Like many colleges that offer master of finance degree programs in Virginia, the MBA program at William & Mary is available under a variety of different schedules and concentrations. The school offers a full-time MBA, a part-time program, and an MBA designed for working executives. Within those schedules, students may choose to specialize in Finance, which is designed to prepare students for a career in finance at a corporation. Upon graduation, a student may seek a career in a variety of venues from companies in the manufacturing sector, service industries, or financially focused companies like commercial banking. In addition, students with a Master of Business Administration are quality candidates for nearly any type of job in management whether the focus of the job is finance or not. One of the interesting classes students will take during their time in the program is a Corporate Finance Career Acceleration Module. That essential program is followed by a semester with classes in areas like financial markets, portfolio management, corporate finance, and international finance.

Accreditations

  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Contact

Mason School of Business
College of William & Mary
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187
Phone: (757) 221-4100
Email: info@mason.wm.edu
http://mason.wm.edu/programs/ftmba/academics/curriculum/concentrations/finance/index.php

Virginia Commonwealth University

School of Business

Established in 1838, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public school in Richmond that was originally just a medical department of local Hampden-Sydney College. The school went through some changes in the 19th century and eventually became Virginia Commonwealth University in 1917. The school is a large university with almost 32,000 students attending at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Overall, students may choose from more than 220 degree paths and certificate programs. The school boasts high research activity according to the Carnegie Foundation, and the school has been enjoying record levels of investment in research by donors meant for a variety of schools within the university.

M.S. in Business with a Concentration in Finance

The school suggests that students fare best in the M.S. program if they have an undergraduate degree in business; however, students of all academic backgrounds are invited to apply to the program. The school suggests that a specialization in finance will offer students the skills and training they need to make intelligent decisions in the financial world after graduation. Some of the areas where students may find work with a degree from Virginia Commonwealth include jobs in security analysis, corporate financial management, and international finance. Students who need to take classes at night will be pleased to learn that 500 and 600 level courses are offered in the evenings. Classes are either scheduled as a single or twice-weekly class. Additionally, students may enroll in a part-time or full-time schedule depending upon their scheduling needs. Students must complete at least 30 credit hours to obtain the degree and are allowed to take one elective.

Accreditations

  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Contact

Graduate Studies in Business
Snead Hall
301 W. Main Street
Room B3102
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-4622
Email: gouldmana@vcu.edu
http://business.vcu.edu/graduate/msfi.html

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Pamplin College of Business

A school that traces its roots to the 19th century, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is called just Virginia Tech by locals, and it’s a public university located in Blacksburg, Virginia. Additionally, other facilities exist around the state that offer a variety of programs. The MBA program in Finance is offered at a location in Falls Church at the Virginia Tech Northern Virginia Center. The school has a healthy population with around 31,000 students in the system. In all, students can choose from over 220 different degree programs, and the school places a focus on offering degrees that boost the technology knowledge of its students.

MBA in Finance

Virginia Tech’s MBA program offers many different formats, schedules, and tracks, so students of all types may find the program that best suits their needs. Many people considering master of finance degree programs in Virginia are already in the workforce, so being able to choose a schedule for graduation helps ensure all students who wish to study finance can benefit from a program at Virginia Tech. Some of the potential careers that the school lists for students who earn their MBA in finance include jobs in corporate treasury, financial planning, and portfolio analysis. Additionally, students may work in commercial banking, consulting, or in financial investment planning. Valuable topics that students will cover during study include corporate restructuring, capital structure, and corporate risk management. In addition, students will study essential financial topics like mergers and acquisitions, which ensures graduates are prepared for work in a variety of situations. Pamplin Business School recently ranked #28th for the best Graduate Business Schools by a list composed by PayScale.

Accreditations

  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Contact

Virginia Tech Northern Virginia Center
7054 Haycock Road, Suite 341
Falls Church, VA 22043
Phone: (703) 538-8415
Email: mbancr@vt.edu
http://www.mba.vt.edu/academics/concentrations/finance/

Obtaining a degree in finance is a worthwhile endeavor for many types of students whether their interest is in math and economics or whether the student would like to work in a general area of business. Additionally, graduate degrees in finance do not necessarily require that a student enrolls after having already earned a bachelor’s degree in business or finance. Graduate degrees in finance are valuable for students from a variety of different backgrounds. The quality of the master of finance degree programs in Virginia means that local students and students from around the region may benefit from enrolling in one of the state’s respected schools.