Online Master of Science in Finance (MS)
Examine how finance professionals evaluate capital investments and weigh risk in global markets. This online master's degree program at American Public University (APU) explores corporate finance, investment management practices, and the institutions that shape financial markets.
About APU’s Online Master's in Finance Program
This online Master of Science in Finance (MSF) examines how organizations fund their operations and measure the returns on their investments. Students build fluency in practical analytical methods as they learn how to interpret complex financial data.
APU's curriculum explores advanced corporate finance strategies and provides an in-depth overview of the institutions that move money through the economy. Students discuss the pivotal roles that banks and other financial intermediaries play in facilitating corporate restructurings and executing public offerings.
Investment management coursework addresses how professional investment managers navigate equity markets and construct portfolios. Students learn how to use analytical tools to make informed decisions regarding specific securities and other financial instruments.
Concentration-specific coursework delves into subject areas such as debt markets and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Assignments support career-readiness as students explore technical tools used in the financial industry.
To conclude the program, students complete a capstone course examining the strategic rationale behind corporate mergers and acquisitions.
Spanish-language learners may complete the finance program through select courses.
Online Program Concentration
We offer a general concentration for this program. Click to learn more.
About the Concentration
The General Concentration will give students a deep understanding of financial systems and practices including capital investments, risk, derivatives, investments, and insurance. Those who select the M.S. general concentration will find themselves prepared for a management role in corporate finance. The MS General concentration will also prepare the student for international finance and working with foreign currencies. It will also cover alternative currencies such as Bitcoin. This concentration will focus on how corporations utilize the financial markets for funding projects, capital improvements, and acquisitions.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of financial systems and practices, including capital investments, foreign and alternative currencies, risk management, derivatives, and insurance, preparing them for management roles in corporate finance.
APU’s Online Master’s in Finance Program Explores Career-Relevant Topics
This online master's degree program in finance examines how organizations raise capital and how investors evaluate the securities they issue. APU's curriculum builds fluency in financial statement analysis and the capital budgeting methods that guide corporate spending. Courses explore portfolio risk management strategies, including the hedging techniques that reduce exposure in currency and debt markets.
Students will also:
- Examine the corporate structure and valuation for strategic planning decisions
- Distinguish financial theories and methods to analyze data
- Evaluate capital investments and risk exposure in global markets
- Interpret ethical practices and regulations in financial decision-making
This online master’s program examines how funds move between companies, investors, and the financial institutions that connect them. Courses explore how companies access money markets to meet their short-term needs, and students discuss how capital structure policies support long-term growth. APU’s finance curriculum also addresses how conditions in domestic and international financial markets influence the cost of raising capital.
Graduates may have potential career opportunities as:
- Financial managers, who oversee financial planning, reporting, investment analysis, and organizational financial strategy with additional experience
- Senior financial analysts, who assess financial performance, market trends, and investment opportunities to support strategic decisions
- Investment analysts, who evaluate securities, portfolios, and financial instruments using risk and return analysis
- Financial risk specialists, who assess financial risk exposure and support strategies to manage market, credit, or operational risk
The MS in Finance may also help lay the groundwork to pursue further academic study or research opportunities.
This online master's degree program examines financial decision-making from both the corporate and investor perspectives. Students learn how acquiring firms value their targets and structure deals to account for tax and legal consequences. Coursework draws on real-world cases and explores how financial professionals navigate a wide range of challenges, from pricing bonds to managing post-merger integration.
Courses are designed to help students:
- Evaluate advanced corporate finance concepts to support strategic financial decision-making
- Analyze financial statements, accounting information, and organizational performance to inform finance decisions
- Assess financial institutions, markets, and instruments within domestic and global financial systems
- Apply investment management principles to evaluate portfolios, risk, return, and capital allocation strategies
- Evaluate international finance issues affecting organizations operating across global markets
- Integrate financial analyses, research, and strategic recommendations through an applied capstone project
Browse Finance Courses from APU’s Online Master’s Program
This online degree program explores the corporate processes that determine how organizations fund their growth within domestic and international capital markets. Core courses cover various strategies that companies employ to raise capital, and students consider how income and cash flow information supports business decisions. The curriculum also addresses how investors apply analytical frameworks to assess securities and manage portfolios.
Concentration coursework delves further into specialized areas of finance. Assignments build career-relevant knowledge as students discuss topics such as risk management strategies, corporate valuation methods, and the deal structures behind mergers and acquisitions.
Students conclude the program with a capstone course that applies their coursework to a comprehensive project.
Spanish language learners may complete this course in Spanish.
Spanish language learners may complete this course in Spanish.
The focus will be on adding value across the spectrum of decisions ranging from position-taking in particular securities to portfolio risk management, as well as the delegation to and oversight of professional investment managers. Also, the course explores the competitive dynamics among investment organizations, products, and markets.
Spanish language learners may complete this course in Spanish.
Spanish language learners may complete this course in Spanish.
Explore Opportunities to Network While You Pursue Your Master’s in Finance Online at APU
Clubs and communities connect online students with classmates, faculty, and alumni who share their interests and goals. Students pursuing the MS in Finance online at APU may be especially drawn to groups such as the National Society of Leadership and Success and the Association of Latino Professionals for America.
Learn more about student life and discover other ways to get involved when you pursue an online MS at American Public University.
Signature Skills: A Learning Revolution
Integrated into our student curriculum, these signature skills teach you how to move through the world with confidence. The road to success is paved with signature skills learned at APU.
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Encouraging students to use current technologies, critically evaluate emerging tools, and responsibly engage with digital and AI systems.
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Strengthening the ability in all students to analyze information objectively, question assumptions, explore alternatives, and develop skills essential for navigating continual change.
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Helping students thrive in dynamic workplaces by reinforcing adaptability, resilience, innovation, and self-awareness.
Welcome to a learning revolution.
APUS signature skills.
Digital literacy, critical thinking, a growth mindset entwine themselves around the student journey.
They’re in everything we do!
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Meant to inform our approach to you, and your ability to thrive beyond the classroom,
these signature skills teach you how to move through the world with confidence.
The road to success is paved with signature skills learned at APUS.
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APU is here to support your student journey
We know your well-being is vital to your success. That's why we offer a range of supportive resources to help you throughout your academic journey.
- Career Coaching
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Career Coaching
Get individualized guidance to help you explore career options, strengthen professional skills, and prepare for the next step in your journey. Whether you’re just entering the workforce, changing fields, or advancing your professional knowledge, our career services team is here to help you translate your goals into action.
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Your well-being is essential to your success. That’s why APU offers access to confidential, flexible, and around-the-clock mental health support. Through our partnerships with telehealth apps, you can connect with peers and professionals anytime you need to manage stress, maintain balance, or find motivation.
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From your first course to the day you graduate, our admissions and advising teams are here to guide you every step of the way. You’ll receive personalized assistance with enrollment, program selection, and degree planning from professionals who understand the needs of adult learners.
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At APU, learning extends far beyond the classroom. Enrich your college experience and expand your network by getting involved in any of our student organizations. From cultural and social organizations to program-specific honor societies, you’ll find a group to help you thrive during and after your studies.
Learn MorePursuing an Online MS in Finance Is Affordable at APU
- $0 Application Fee
- $0 Textbooks & Ebooks
- $0 Transfer Credit Evaluation
Earning a degree is a valuable investment, but it needs to fit into your budget. Our tuition estimator can help you estimate your tuition and fees, so you can plan a manageable path to your educational goals. For full details, please refer to the financial aid cost of attendance (COA). This estimate does not include course materials, supplies, equipment, software and other expenses such as lab fees. You may be eligible for partnership grants through your employer. Speak with your admissions representative for more details.
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Quality Education Shouldn’t Break the Bank
We offer special rates and grants for eligible students and limit fees to help keep the cost of higher education within reach. Find out how you can save on tuition expenses with our:
- Transfer Credits
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Transfer Credits
APU makes it easy to earn credit for the work you’ve already done. We accept transfer credits from prior college coursework, professional training, exams, and certifications. We’ll evaluate your transcripts at no cost and help you maximize eligible credits so you can save time, reduce costs, and stay focused on reaching your education goals sooner.
Learn MoreFinancial Aid
We’re committed to making quality education accessible and affordable. APU participates in federal financial aid programs, including grants and loans for those who qualify. Our Financial Aid Office can provide personalized guidance to help you understand your options, complete required forms, and make an informed decision about paying for your education.
Learn MorePrivate Loans & Scholarships
In addition to federal financial aid, some APU students choose to explore private education loans or external scholarships to help fund their studies. We encourage all students to first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal student aid before considering private options. Be sure to research lenders carefully, compare terms, and understand your rights and responsibilities as a borrower.
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Apply to APU’s Online Master’s Degree Program in Finance Today
APU’s online master’s in finance is designed for working professionals and adult learners balancing their studies with other obligations. Courses have no set login times, and students may complete weekly assignments from anywhere with a stable internet connection. The University also welcomes new students to this finance program year-round.
Review our admission requirements and submit your application today.
- No Entrance Exams No GRE® or GMAT® required for master’s programs
- No Application Fee For master’s-level courses
- Courses Start Monthly Enroll now, start next month
- All APU master's degree/graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA®) or its international equivalent. If you have a non-U.S. transcript, please view our International Admissions page for more information.
- Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation including a legible copy of your valid government-issued photo, if required.
- There is no fee to complete the APU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.
CHEA® is a registered trademark of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Learn More About Pursuing an Online Master’s in Finance at APU
Pursuing a master's in finance may be a practical choice if you want to build technical skills in areas such as financial management and investment analysis. Coursework examines how organizations evaluate corporate investment projects, and students discuss the analytical methods that help shape portfolio management decisions.
When evaluating master’s degree programs, however, it is important to closely review the curricula. APU's online MS in Finance covers corporate finance, financial accounting, financial institutions, investment management, and international finance. Concentration coursework further examines subject areas such as debt markets and the mergers and acquisitions process.
Yes, APU’s MS in Finance program consists entirely of online courses and can be completed from anywhere with internet access. Courses start monthly and have no set login times, and the University welcomes new students year-round.
Spanish-language learners may also complete this online program through select finance courses in Spanish.
With more than 200 career-relevant degrees and certificates, APU makes online education accessible and affordable.
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The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.
The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.
See all military student benefits.
