This specialization prepares students for finance careers in the nonprofit, public and private sectors. Students study the field of finance from both an internal managerial perspective (financial management) and an external policy perspective (public finance).

The curriculum exposes students to a broad array of analytical tools, including economics, budgeting, accounting, capital financing, investment management, debt management and financial statement analysis. Our graduates take a wide range of jobs, including budget analyst, consultant, finance director, grants manager, program auditor, hospital administrator, and bond rater.

Required Specialization Courses

Students must complete the following 10 credits:

And must complete 12 credits from the following (courses are listed separately for organizational purposes only; you may take courses across the two lists):


Public Finance

View Courses


Financial Management

View Courses

Nonprofit/Health

Government



Capstone

View Courses

All Capstone projects begin in the fall and are completed at the end of the spring semester. Full-time students who begin in the spring semester typically need 2½ years to complete their degree. Finance students choose one of the following Capstone courses:

"One of the things that sets Wagner apart from other schools is its emphasis on finance. Wagner offers a more extensive finance curriculum than any other school of its type. Our faculty includes experts on a broad range of topics including education and health-care finance, corporate tax policy, and microfinance in developing countries."

Shanna Rose
Director of the Finance Specialization