Fordham University Online MS Programs - Gabelli School of Business

• Online MS in Finance
• Online MS in Management
• Online MS in Strategic Marketing Communications

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The Fordham University Gabelli School of Business offers three online MS programs: finance, strategic marketing communications, and management. The degrees are offered with fully online coursework and at least one required 3-day campus residency. Students participate in live, online classes once a week and can complete the programs in as little as 12 months. Finance students also complete an internship.

The programs offered through the Gabelli School of Business are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). In addition, Fordham University is home to three finance research centers that provide valuable financial information and market insights to students, faculty, alumni, and business professionals. These include The Center for Research in Contemporary Finance, The Center for Global Security Analysis, and The Frank J. Petrelli Center for Research in International Finance.

In addition, the Gabelli School of Business has a large alumni base of more than 40,000 members in locations around the world. Through this alumni network, students can participate in events hosted by Gabelli students and faculty or through the research centers just mentioned.

The MS in Finance seeks to educate students in corporate finance and investments, imparting key skills in asset valuation, international financial management, and the application of statistical methods to market data (econometrics). Also included is financial and economic analysis through data visualization and by using programs such as Python and Matlab. Students may focus their electives on three tracks: portfolio management, investment banking, and financial analytics. These tracks are not noted on the transcript, students are encouraged to include them in resumes and other relevant locations. The MS in finance does not require a background in finance, although students in this situation may need to take up to four prerequisite courses before beginning the program.

The MS in Strategic Marketing Communications combines content marketing, storytelling, and purpose-driven campaigns to educate students in marketing communication. This program seeks to prepare graduates to meet the needs of today’s consumers by creating compelling communications that build lasting relationships with the target audience. This curriculum uses real-world scenarios that students will encounter after graduation, and students complete a final hands-on project to solidify their learning. Three years of professional, relevant work experience are required to apply to this program.

The MS in Management program seeks to convey innovative management solutions that center around purpose, not just profit. Students gain an in-depth understanding of how today’s businesses serve those with whom they interact, including their employees, customers, and the community. Focuses include management strategies covering individuals, teams, and the business as a whole, soft and hard skills needed for business management in the areas of finance, statistics, operations and supply chain management, marketing, and accounting. Students can choose to take two electives in either business communications or finance to create a focus area. This program can be completed in 12 or 15-month sequences.

Graduates of the Gabelli School of Business MS programs may go on to work in small business, corporate, government, non-profit, international, or private business settings.

What to Expect from the Fordham University Online MS Programs

MS in Finance and Management Admission Requirements: Application materials for either the MS in finance or marketing include one letter of recommendation, two required essays and one optional essay, official transcripts showing completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, and a current resume detailing work, internship, and volunteer experiences. No finance background is required. Management applicants should have proficiency in college-level math. Finance applicants must have earned a grade of B or higher in the courses basics of accounting, basics of finance, basics of statistics, and basics of economics. If these prerequisites are not met, the courses are added to the program.

Non-native English speakers who did not complete an undergraduate degree in a country where the official language was English must submit proof of English language proficiency. GRE or GMAT test scores are required for applicants with a minimum GPA of 2.99 or below with less than two years of full-time, relevant work experience. However, a waiver is available.

MS in Strategic Marketing Communications Admission Requirements: Applicants must have at least three years of full-time work experience in one of the following areas: advertising, public relations, marketing, media, communications, or another related area. Application materials include one letter of recommendation, two required essays and one optional essay, official transcripts showing completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, and a current resume detailing work, internship, and volunteer experiences. No GRE/GMAT test scores are not required. Non-native English speakers who did not complete an undergraduate degree in a country where the official language was English must submit proof of English language proficiency.

Study Plan: The Gabelli School of Business online MS programs can be completed in just 12 months by taking courses over four terms. Each term lasts 10 weeks, and every course meets weekly in the evenings in a live format. Programs can be extended by one to two terms depending on the program. For example, the management program can be completed in a four-term, 12-month schedule or a five-term, 15-month schedule. Students may begin the MS in finance program in the fall and spring, while the other two degrees begin in the fall only. All students complete one residency in New York City, and finance students must also complete a 3-credit internship experience.

MS in Finance Curriculum: The MS in finance consists of 30 credits, including a three-day residency and a three-credit internship. If the student does not have a finance background the following prerequisites may be required in addition to the 30 required credits: basics of finance, economics, accounting, and statistics. Required courses include computational finance, corporate finance applications, financial markets and responsibility, and investment applications. Students then chose six electives from the following: advanced corporate finance, machine learning for finance, emerging markets, behavioral finance, global equity portfolio management, financial modeling, financial econometrics, research seminar, and sustainability reporting and finance.

Additionally, MS in finance students may focus their electives on one or more tracks in portfolio management, investment banking, and financial analytics. Tracks will not be listed on a transcript, however, students are encouraged to list pursued tracks on their resumes.

MS in Strategic Marketing Communications Curriculum: The MS in strategic marketing communications consists of 33 credits including a three-day residency. Students take 15 credits in the area of media and communication, and 15 credits in the area of marketing, plus the three-credit applied project course. Media and communication courses include persuasive corporate communications; crisis communication and leadership strategies; social and digital media; advanced business communication; and sponsorship. Marketing courses include marketing in the digital age; understanding the digital consumer; integrated marketing communications; contemporary research methods; and marketing strategy.

MS in Management Curriculum: The MS in management consists of 30 credits including a three-day residency and a final hands-on project. Courses include introduction to modern management, business strategy for the modern world, global initiatives in management, leading organizations in the 21st century, managerial statistics, modern operations and supply chain management, accounting and CSR reporting principles, financial fundamentals, and marketing in the digital age. Two electives are then chosen from a business communication or a finance area of focus. Students may choose one course from each area or two courses from one area. Business communication electives include advanced business communication; crisis communication and leadership strategies; and persuasive corporate communications. Finance focus electives are financial markets and responsibility; investment applications; and sustainability reporting and finance.

Online Experience: Fordham University uses Blackboard Learn as its online management system. Courses for the online MS business programs offer live, online classes once a week in the evenings, delivered seminar-style. Interactive coursework is completed through a mobile app and students form study groups with their peers. Faculty is available for one-on-one virtual office hours, and Fordham offers a vibrant alumni network of over 40,000 members. Coursework is completed fully online. Student services available to online students include academic advising, admissions counseling, psychological services, career services, library and bookstore services, and technical support.

On-Site Requirements: All MS students come to New York City for a three-day residency, where they will experience lectures from top New York companies and conduct face-to-face networking with top executives. The MS in finance also requires the completion of a three-credit internship experience. Students are welcome to and encouraged to attend more than one three-day residency, although this is not required for graduation. All other coursework is online.

Paying for the Fordham University Online MS Programs

The per-credit cost for the Fordham University MS programs is $1,950 for a total tuition of $58,500 for the finance and management MS degrees, and $64,350 for the strategic marketing communications MS. Fees and travel expenses are not included in these estimates. Prospective students should contact the admissions department of the Fordham University Gabelli School of Business for the most up-to-date tuition costs.

As a final note, graduate MS students can seek financial aid in the form of unsubsidized federal loans through the FAFSA, from outside sources, and through employer reimbursement programs. There may also be internal and external graduate scholarships available through Fordham University. For more information, graduate students should contact the Office of Student Financial Services.

Sara Navratil

Writer

Sara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She's the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about entrepreneurial and general business topics, and providing detailed information on online MBA programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.