Employees with an understanding of financial matters is critical in any business, which is why more companies are searching for individuals who have successfully completed accredited finance degree programs in Texas and other states. Finance is important to business as it allows companies to take advantages of growth opportunities, create jobs and support local community needs. An understanding of how to use loans and investments, as well as the need to fund human capital to help a business grow is crucial to success.
Every state is looking for ways to rejuvenate and energize their economy, and Texas is no exception. According to “Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index,” a joint report issued by the Heritage Foundation and the American Legislative Exchange Council, Texas ranked first in the Economic Performance Rank and 13th in the Economic Outlook Rank. The rankings are based on the historical performance of the state based on economic indicators and the forecasted outlook based on economic policies. This is the type of information that someone who has completed an accredited finance degree program in Texas may use to recommend whether a business should relocate to the state or should expand into the state.
Texas Tech University
Jerry S. Rawls College of Business
Jerry S. Rawls is an American business man and philanthropist who serves as the Chairman of Finisar, a fiber optic company. He graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1967. In 2000, he donated $25 million to the College of Business Administration and the college named the School of Business in his honor. There are more than 4,500 students enrolled at the Rawls College of Business with an almost 89 percent placement rate for undergraduate and 95 percent for graduate students after graduation. The school was founded in 1942 and it offers the only Energy Commerce Business Degree in the state of Texas.
Master of Science in Business Administration (Emphasis in Finance)
The Master of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance prepares students for careers in the financial industry through theoretical and research-based training. Students develop the ability to create business strategies, understand investment forecasting and implement financial planning and analysis. The program is 30-credit hours and courses include:
- Financial Management Concepts
- Financial Management Case Analysis
- Financial Statement Analysis and Equity Valuation
- Seminar in Security Analysis and Investments
- Student Managed Investment Fund
- Options and Futures
- The Money and Capital Markets
- Seminar in Management of Financial Institutions
- Fundamentals of Real Estate
- U.S. Financial System in a Global Environment
- Real Estate Analysis
- Operations Management and Management Science
- Statistical Concepts for Business and Management
- Capstone Course
*Special qualifications may apply.
Students must take either Financial Management Case Analysis or Student Managed Investment Fund. The course must be taken in the last semester prior to graduation and the student must earn a “B” or better. This program is ranked number one of the “The 30 Best Master of Finance Degree Programs under $22,000 per year” by our editors.
Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning
The Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning program at Texas Tech is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a career guiding others in the best method to reach their personal finance goals. The program is a national leader in personal financial education with a focus on excellence. The program is 42 credit hours and is offered in both an on-campus and a hybrid online/on-campus format. It includes instruction in insurance and risk management, as well as investments and wealth management. There are also courses on tax, retirement and estate planning along with a financial planning Capstone course. There is no Master’s thesis requirement. In order to apply, students must provide transcripts from all colleges and universities attended as well as a resume and three letters of references. Applicants must also provide LSAT, GMAT or GRE scores.
Accreditation
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
MBA Finance Concentration
Stephanie Bohn
Texas Tech University
2500 Broadway
Lubbock, TX 79401
Telephone: 806-834-1497
Email: Stephanie.bohn@ttu.edu
Website: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/rawlsbusiness/graduate/ms/msba/finance/index.php
Personal Finance
John Gilliam PhD, CFP, CLU
Department of Personal Financial Planning
Texas Tech University
1301 Akron Avenue
PO Box 41210
Lubbock, TX 79409-1210
Telephone: 806-834-8864
Email: john.gilliam@ttu.edu
Website: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/pfp/
University of Dallas
Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business
The University of Dallas was founded in 1956 and is a co-educational Catholic university. The College of Business was one of the first colleges established, offering degrees in business and economics. In 2013, Satish and Yasmin Gupta provided a $12 million gift to the University of Dallas, which is the largest single gift in the university’s history. The gift funded construction of a new academic building designed to house the College of Business. The Gupta’s are entrepreneurs in the Dallas area, with Mr. Gupta acting as President and CEO of SB International, Inc., a steel and metal products manufacturer. His wife, Yasmin, serves as Executive Vice-President, providing leadership to several departments.
Finance
The 42-hour Master of Science in Finance at the University of Dallas’ Gupta School of Business provides students with an intensive education in investments, corporate finance, accounting, business analytics, ethics and sustainability. It is designed to prepare graduates for careers in financial or treasury management positions, combining practical experience with traditional classroom education. The program requires four additional Finance classes in addition to the regular Master of Science courses. Students must have a qualifying undergraduate academic performance and work experience. To apply, applicants must provide a current resume, official transcripts and a copy of their diploma from an accredited university or college.
Finance MBA Concentration
The 30-hour Master of Business with a Finance concentration prepares students for careers in finance, including:
- Investments
- Stock Trading
- Security Analysis
- Portfolio Management
- Corporate Financial Management
- Treasury Management
- Banking Financial Advising
- Venture Capital
- Hedge Funds
- Private Equity
- Investment Firms
Graduates of the program have been very successful in finding positions in their chosen field and the program has been accepted into the CFA Institute University Recognition Program. Students are prepared to take the CFA Level 1 Examination in order to obtain certification as a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Accreditation
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
University of Dallas
Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business
1845 East Northgate Drive
Irving, TX 75062-4736
Telephone: 972-721-5004
Website: http://www.udallas.edu/cob/ms/finance/finance-more-info.html
University of Houston
C.T. Bauer School of Business
The University of Houston’s C.T. Bauer College of Business is a comprehensive business school providing excellent education to students. Students are provided training that gives them a competitive edge and a global perspective. The school attracts students from more than 70 countries, providing students with a diverse education. The school is named for businessman Ted Bauer who provided a $40 million gift to the University of Houston College of Business Administration in 2000.
Master of Science in Finance
The Master of Science in Finance at the Bauer School of Business at the University of Houston provides students with skills that include firm valuation, portfolio analysis, valuation of derivatives and security analysis with financial innovation. Over the past few years, financial professionals have faced a field that has grown incredibly complex with a stronger emphasis on technology. The program at Bauer offers students a focused, technical concentration in finance, providing a better understanding of the complexities of the financial world. To apply, students must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, as well as official GMAT or GRE scores. In addition, they must supply a resume, goal statement and letters of recommendation.
Accreditation
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
Emily Clark
Graduate Advising Assistant 2
University of Houston
4800 Calhoun Road
Houston TX 77004
Telephone: 713-743-4883
Email: eclark@bauer.uh.edu
Website: http://www.bauer.uh.edu/graduate-studies/prospective-students/ms-finance/
University of Houston – Downtown
College of Business
The College of Business at the University of Houston offers a reality based business education. Whether students are looking for entry-level positions in the field of business or are expanding their professional career, the College of Business provides graduates with the skills and knowledge to hit the ground running and begin immediately contributing to their operation. The college has strong connections with employers in the Houston area and throughout the world. In addition, they offer a flexible learning options that accommodate the business schedule of many college students today.
Finance Concentration
The Master of Business Administration with a Finance Concentration at the University of Houston Downtown is designed to provide a differential competitive advantage with corporations viewed as customers. The school has used input from a multitude of corporate leaders to develop the curriculum offered at the college. In addition to MBA requirements, students who choose the Finance Concentration must also take:
- Ethical and Professional Standards
- Business Development and Communication for Financial Professionals
- Industry Trend Analysis and Behavioral Finance
- Capital Marketing and Investment Planning
- Corporate Finance
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
Gary L. Stading, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Graduate Studies
College of Business
One Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
Telephone: 713-221-8093
Website: http://mba.uhd.edu
University of Houston – Victoria
School of Business Administration
The School of Business Administration at the University of Houston Victoria campus offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs designed to help students achieve their career goals. The Princeton Review ranks the school as one of the Best Business Schools and GetEducated ranks the online programs at the college as some of the best in the country. Courses are offered in traditional and non-traditional formats in order to provide students with the flexibility many need in today’s world. The college has also been ranked by the Princeton Review as one of the most Family Friendly Institutions.
MBA-Global
The Global MBA program addresses the needs of businesses from an international context. Courses focus on issues that transcend national borders and there is a Finance concentration option available. Courses may be taken online or in a traditional classroom setting. Traditional classes meet once per week in the evening from 7 PM until 9:45 PM. Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in business will be required to take up to 54 credit hours to complete the program, while recent BBA graduates may complete the requirements in between 24 and 30 hours. The program also provides the required 150-hour education requirement to sit for the Certified Public Accountant examination in the state of Texas.
Master of Science in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship
The Master of Science in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship at the College of Business at the University of Houston Victoria campus is a one-of-a-kind program in the United States. It combines traditional economic development and entrepreneurship into one program with a design based on the knowledge that economies are built through starting and growing businesses. The program provides students with knowledge on economic growth through attracting new businesses and providing services to existing businesses to help them grow. It integrates traditional economic development guidelines with entrepreneurship to help students develop a comprehensive understanding of small business, growing a local economy and helping businesses succeed. It is a 36-hour online curriculum and it may be completed in two years through part-time study.
Accreditation
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
University of Houston-Victoria
3007 North Ben Wilson
Victoria, TX 77901
Telephone: 361-570-4848
Email: busadvisor@uhv.edu
Website: http://www.uhv.edu/bus/MBA/globalmba/default.aspx
University of North Texas
Toulouse Graduate School
The Toulouse Graduate School at the University of North Texas offers 82 master’s degrees, 36 doctoral degrees and more than 50 graduate academic certificates. In 1980, the school was named in honor of Robert Bartell Toulouse, Ed.D. who joined the college in 1948 as a professor in the College of Education. He served as dean of the Graduate School from 1954 until 1982. The college is the largest, most comprehensive college in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their chosen professions.
Finance Master’s Program
The Master of Science in Finance at the Toulouse Graduate School at the University of North Texas offers students a unique educational opportunity that will allow them to enhance their pursuit of a career change or advancement. Their reputation for excellence, rigorous curriculum and the reach of the alumni, faculty and community helps graduates open more doors in the financial services industry. Students are provided the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a career as a financial specialist by focusing studies on the financial world of today. Applicants must provide official GMAT scores with an average quantitative score of 510, a resume and two letters of recommendation. IN addition, applicants must provide a 600 to 700 word essay about the unique events, life experiences and qualifications that distinguish them as a candidate. Applicants must also provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
Master of Business Administration
The Toulouse Graduate School at the University of North Texas offers a Master of Business Administration with a Finance Concentration. The program is designed to emphasize skills and values in communication, ethics, global focus, problem solving, teamwork and use of technology. Classes are offered on a flexible schedule in order to meet the needs of today’s students. U.S. News and World Report named the program as one of the nation’s best online education programs and it is also listed among the top 25 Best Value Online MBA programs by BusinessMBA.org.
Accreditation
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
Toulouse Graduate School
University of North Texas
Business Leadership building Room 201
1147 Union Circle, Eagle Student Services
Denton, TX 76203-5459
Telephone: 940-369-8977
Email: MBACOB@unt.edu or graduateschool@unt.edu
Website: http://tsgs.unt.edu/overview?home=1
As financial requirements grow more and more complex in the business world, individuals who have successfully completed accredited finance degree programs in Texas and other states will find more success in careers than those without financial degrees over the next few years.
