Master of Finance Degree Programs in South Dakota

Graduates with credentials from accredited finance degree programs in South Dakota have advantages finding employment in the state’s rock solid, financial industry. According to the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, South Dakota holds holds more total bank assets than other state. As a result, employers are seeking qualified job applicants who demonstrate the necessary leadership and analytical skills to handle the high-pressure demands of working in one of the more than 1,130 financial service companies that call South Dakota home. In response, South Dakota’s accredited finance degree programs are shaping their programs to meet this need and help give their graduates an edge in this competitive job market.

Northern State University

Graduate Studies

Offering a high quality educational experience has long been a primary goal of Northern State University. Programs are continuously revamped to meet the ever-changing needs of the community and provide students with the most cutting-edge instruction in respective fields of study. NSU currently stands at #47 for regional colleges in the Midwest according to the U.S. News & World Report’s 2015 rankings for best colleges.

Graduate studies’ personnel worked with business professionals to develop a curriculum based on the needs of the financial sector with regard to competencies employers desired employees to possess. Due to this collaboration, graduates holding an NSU Master of Science in Banking and Financial Services are highly sought after for banking and finance positions.

Banking & Financial Services, Master of Science (M.S.)

While qualified candidates from any undergraduate background can earn the M.S. in Banking and Financial Services, this program often attracts current professionals in the financial field who wish to expand their career opportunities. Instruction is delivered in an online format that accommodates work schedules with the exception of meeting on-campus to complete a capstone project.

Students entering the program with a non-business undergraduate degree must take prerequisite courses that cover fundamental business, accounting, financial and marketing principles. The master’s degree itself encompasses 36 core credits including a capstone project. The degree provides advanced study of:

Banking and financial markets
Marketing of financial services
Accounting, credit analysis and lending practices
Applied econometrics
Risk management of assets and liability
Portfolio planning and wealth management
Collaborative communication skills
Regulations and compliance issues
International banking and global economics

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC-NCACS)
Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

Contact

University of South Dakota
Sharon Paranto, Director
Graduate Studies
Spafford Hall 204A
1200 South Jay St.
Aberdeen, South Dakota 57401
Phone: (605) 626-2558
Email: gradoff@northern.edu
Website: http://www.northern.edu/academics/Graduate/programs/Pages/bankingfinancial.aspx

University of South Dakota

Beacom School of Business

The University of South Dakota is the state’s oldest university with a rich history of providing relevant, educational experiences for an increasingly diverse student population. Programs promote global learning initiatives that lead to international, competitive employment opportunities. USD comes in at #168 nationwide among best colleges in 2015 as rated by U.S. News & World Report. In addition, USD’s Beacom School of Business was recognized by The Princeton Review for being one of the nation’s top 295 business schools of 2014.

Master of Business Administration, Business Analytics Specialization

This non-thesis MBA addresses the advanced analytical and reasoning skills finance professionals use to ethically evaluate and solve financial problems affecting business operations. To accommodate a variety of student schedules, options for enrollment include participation in online, on-campus or hybrid formats for instruction.

Candidates with no business background take up to 60 credits of foundational and advanced specialized coursework, whereas candidates receiving credit for foundational classes only need 39 credits in advanced business analytics. Advanced coursework covers:

Managerial accounting.
Managerial finance and econometrics.
Quantitative analysis.
Data management and data mining.
Analytics and operational management.
Leadership and organizational scaffolds.
Strategic marketing practices.

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC-NCACS)
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB)

Contact

University of South Dakota
Angeline Lavin, Ph.D., C.F.A.
Graduate Business Programs Director
Beacom School of Business, Beacom Hall
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion South Dakota 57069
Phone: (605)677-5232 or (866) 890-1622 (toll free)
Email: Angeline.Lavin@usd.edu
Website: http://www.usd.edu/business/master-of-business-administration/index.cfm

Business employers seek finance employees with the analytical, leadership, and communication skills to manage the growing demands of banking and finance operations. To meet this need, South Dakota has responded by creating rigorous, innovative finance programs at its institutions of higher learning. Consequently, candidates who earn credentials from accredited finance degree programs in South Dakota are in a good position to advance their careers in the competitive financial services industry.