MS in Finance
Build a Finance Career
You Can Bank On
Gain Skills That Pay Off
Financial markets are changing fast—and so is the technology, data and expertise needed to navigate them.
GW’s Master of Science in Finance (MSF) and Master of Science in Applied Finance (MSAF) combine rigorous financial theory with advanced quantitative and technological training, giving you the skills to analyze markets, manage risk and solve complex financial challenges.
Through hands-on projects, financial modeling and access to industry-standard tools, you’ll apply what you learn to real-world scenarios while building expertise across areas such as investment analysis, portfolio management, financial engineering, banking and corporate finance. And in Washington, D.C., you’ll be at the center of global finance in one of the world’s most influential financial hubs.
Discover the GW Advantage
Where Finance Meets Technology
Build expertise across the major areas of finance while developing the quantitative and technical skills employers increasingly seek. Explore financial systems and engineering, econometrics, computational finance, AI-driven forecasting, portfolio management and risk assessment. Develop advanced programming, modeling and analytical skills in Python, MATLAB and SAS.
Put those skills to work through hands-on projects that simulate the work of analysts, traders and portfolio managers, including constructing and evaluating investment portfolios using industry-standard tools and techniques. In GW’s Capital Markets Trading Room, you’ll gain practical experience using Bloomberg Terminals to simulate the high-stakes real-world trading and analytics environments.
- GW’s MS in Finance, ranked #5 nationally by the Financial Times, combines the depth of a financial engineering program with the breadth of a traditional master’s in finance.
- Designed for ambitious, analytically minded, technology-driven students, the accelerated STEM-designated MS in Applied Finance can be completed in just one year.
Washington, D.C. is Your Finance Classroom
Located steps from the institutions where financial policy, regulation and global economic decisions are made, GW’s finance programs offer unmatched access to a powerful financial ecosystem that includes federal agencies, major financial institutions, the World Bank, IMF, NGOs and global think tanks.
A truly global program in a global city, GW offers opportunities for international study and to attend major industry events and network with finance and policy leaders. You’ll gain firsthand insight into the forces shaping global finance while building relationships with professionals working across the industry.
Financial Expertise for a Changing Profession
This proximity brings real-world finance into the classroom. Each course is co-taught by an industry professional and an academic researcher, giving you both a strong theoretical foundation and practical perspective. You’ll also learn from faculty and industry leaders through project-based work, guest speakers, alumni panels and networking events, with access to analysts, portfolio managers, investment bankers, policymakers, fintech innovators and risk experts.
Build Specialized Expertise: Earn a Graduate Certificate
Tailor your degree to your professional goals by adding a graduate certificate that builds specialized expertise alongside your core finance education.
- Explore Related Graduate Certificates
Graduate Certificate in Financial Management
(Offered Online or On-Campus) Provides background and training in three principal business functions: raising capital, allocating capital to assets and operations, and distributing profits back to shareholders. Students will develop the skills to evaluate financial performance, assess invested capital, and grow the business. Designed for professionals, including analysts, consultants, and managers who work with budgets, investments, or strategic planning.
Graduate Certificate in Affordable Housing
(Offered On-Campus) Designed for professionals across real estate, finance, policy, and nonprofit sectors, providing insights for those interested in advancing their careers, pivoting into affordable housing, or influencing housing policy. Learn more about real estate valuation, investments, and project finance to become a leader in property development.
Graduate Certificate in Quantitative Business Foundations
(Offered Online or On-Campus) Provides students with foundational knowledge in essential disciplines of business. Designed for students without a business background degree or formal business education, offers broad instruction in accounting, marketing, finance, organizational behavior and human resource management. The certification will be particularly suitable for professionals who want to begin a career that requires a stronger foundation in data, statistics and quantitative reasoning.
See GW's Finance Program in Action
Hear faculty and Nathan Garcia (MS in Finance ‘25) reflect on how the finance programs at GW offer students a unique real-world experience, practical connections and knowledge, and limitless support. With the GW Investment Institute (GWII), advanced exposure to the finance industry is embedded in the program.
Career Success Backed by a Global Alumni Network
GW’s MS in Finance and Applied Finance graduates pursue careers across banking, investment management, corporate finance and development finance, with alumni working at leading banks, investment firms and financial organizations around the world. Career paths include financial analysis, portfolio management, trading, financial engineering and risk management. The STEM-designated MSAF degree also opens pathways in areas such as corporate finance, financial consulting, insurance and real estate investment.
Through applied projects, industry-standard tools and professional experiences, you’ll graduate with more than a degree. You’ll have a portfolio of work that demonstrates your ability to turn complex financial data into actionable insights, giving you a strategic advantage in a competitive job market.
With a GW Business global alumni network of more than 60,000 professionals spanning Fortune 500 companies, startups, nonprofits, and organizations across six continents, plus dedicated career support resources, you’ll gain access to mentorship, connections, and career opportunities that open doors and accelerate your impact.
Here are just some of the 260+ organizations where GW Business alumni are advancing their exciting careers:
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Join a program designed for ambitious finance professionals seeking to deepen their expertise, expand their network and accelerate toward leadership roles in today’s evolving global finance industry.
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