Master of Science in Finance (MSc)

Core courses in the MSc Finance lay out the fundamentals of research methods, applied linear statistics and financial economics, while our range of elective seminar courses dive deeper into particular aspects of Finance. All these courses build a foundation upon which students can launch their respective thesis projects.

Our students learn how to:

• Explain core concepts and findings related to corporate finance, financial economics, asset pricing and mathematical finance, as well as to their own specific area of research ;
• Summarize and critique existing research and advances;
• Generate research questions of conceptual and practical significance;
• Identify and apply appropriate quantitative research methods;
• Convert acquired data into information;
• Effectively convey findings and visually present data;
• Incorporate feedback;
• Develop recommendations;
• Consider applications and implications of those recommendations.

The curriculum helps students develop skills for research, data collection and analysis. In addition to critical and analytical skills, our students learn the crucial elements of how to effectively present their findings and communicate financial recommendations.

Flexibility to develop your research interests and ideas

The MSc Finance program has been deliberately designed to broadly encompass a rigorous background in all areas of Finance while allowing students to refine their particular area of interest within the field. Although you need to have a good idea of what you might like to research in the program, you do not need to have a thesis proposal or a thesis supervisor in order to apply. Our flexible program gives you the freedom to develop your research interests and ideas.

Producing a thesis

The thesis component of John Molson’s research-based Masters builds upon what is learned during the courses component in the first half of the program. The thesis is an in-depth, academic paper that provides candidates with the opportunity to explore and investigate their particular area of interest, all while contributing to knowledge in that field. Research methods are various and can be cross-sectional, longitudinal, based on case studies or experimental in design. It measures data gathered on survey questionnaires, interviews, archives and field observation.

Managing a thesis project is an excellent way for candidates to demonstrate their passion and to hone their specialization in preparation for either PhD studies or careers as industry experts in their respective fields. Producing a thesis helps to develop time management, research and writing, critical thinking, communication and presentation skills. These skills, combined with the passion, dedication and effort required to undertake a thesis project, are highly sought after by top employers, who may also be interested in the research and findings generated.

Developing practical research skills

Through the thesis, each candidate takes a deep-dive into their particular thesis topic. By building on a solid theoretical foundation, they stand to produce the type of relevant and practical research that is becoming increasingly necessary in business, government, and industry. We aim to produce graduates that will respond to today’s need for specialists who understand the latest trends and developments in financial analysis in a post-pandemic business landscape.

Whether it be corporate finance, financial economics, asset pricing or mathematical finance, among others, our candidates develop an expertise in Finance and make a contribution to business and financial knowledge.

John Molson’s MSc in Finance has partnered with GradProSkills to incorporate professional development workshops as a non-credited degree requirement. These workshops align with the program’s learning objectives to optimize the students’ graduate school experience and equip them to realize their professional and academic goals. Some examples may include effective reading and writing strategies, project management, advanced Excel, coding, French conversation group, conducting research ethically, introduction to investing, adopting digital tools to conduct data analysis and communicate effectively, student health, emotional intelligence, and many more!

MSc Finance students are also able to complement what they learn in the classroom with an internship(s) through Concordia University’s Institute for Co-operative Education (Co-op) program.