Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalogue 
    
2020-2021 Graduate Catalogue Archived Catalogue

Business Administration (Professional) and Finance and Investment Management, PMBA/MSF Dual Degrees


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The Cameron School of Business offers a program of study leading to a Master of Science in Finance and Investment Management (MSF) degree for qualified holders of a bachelor’s degree in business from a regionally accredited college or university. The overall objective of the program is to prepare students for careers in financial services or investment management. Additionally, upon completion of this degree, graduates may elect to sit for Level I or II of the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) Exam, but are not required to do so.

The Cameron School of Business also offers four programs (Option 1: Executive MBA program, Option 2: International MBA program, Option 3: Online MBA program, Option 4. Professional MBA program) of study leading to a Master of Business Administration degree for qualified holders of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. The overall objective of all programs is the development of the broadly educated professional manager who is prepared to meet the demands and the changing needs in the global environment.
 

A PMBA/MSF dual-degree program would enable students to simultaneously pursue both the MS Finance & Investment Management degree and a Professional MBA with a specialization in Finance.

Professional MBA Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Rebecca Guidice
M.S. Finance & Investment Management Graduate Coordinator: Dr. William Sackley

Specific Objectives


Graduates of the program should be able to achieve the program objectives of both the MBA program and the MSF program.

For the MBA program, graduates should be able to:

  • Apply theory, knowledge, and skills from the fundamental business disciplines to business practice.
  • Effectively research and report information in a written document.
  • Solve complex problems or propose meaningful solutions.
  • Understand the importance of ethics and corporate social responsibility in the context of business.

For the MSF program, graduates should be able to:

  • Demonstrate understanding of quantitative methods, economics, financial reporting and analysis, and corporate finance as they relate to investment management.
  • Determine market values of equity, fixed-income, derivative, and alternative investments using advanced investment tools.
  • Apply the highest ethical standards to investment management consistent with the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.

Admission Requirements


Applicants seeking admission to the dual degree program must submit an application and application fees for consideration to both programs. Students must be successfully admitted to both degree programs, in accordance with their individual standards and requirements. Applicants are required to submit the following to the Graduate School:

  • An application for graduate admission.
  • Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate).
  • Two online recommendations including one from an employer or supervisor who can comment on the applicant’s work experience and potential for successful completion of a master’s program.
  • Applicant’s resume and cover letter. 
  • Two years of professional work experience is required.
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in undergraduate work. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 must demonstrate professional experience/advancement that shows progression since graduation and indicates how they will contribute to the program.
  • GMAT or GRE score required. Official test scores should be sent to the Graduate School no less than four weeks prior to the published program deadline. Test scores more than five years old at the time of application will not be considered. The GRE or GMAT may possibly be waived based on work experience and academic background.
  • A minimum score of 79 on the internet-based TOEFL iBT test or 6.5 on IELTS test is required for non-native English speakers only, unless applicant earned their baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited US institution. Scores are good for two years from the date the test is administered.
  • Application and supplemental documents must be submitted by the published deadline.

Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in business demonstrating a strong overall undergraduate academic record. Satisfactory scores on the GMAT or GRE are required, but waiver request available based on work experience and academic background. Admission decisions are based on several factors and other indicators of success may be considered for admission.

Applicants without a bachelor’s degree in business - admission into the program will be provisional upon successful completion of a basic core of business coursework. The basic core of business coursework may be completed at any regionally accredited institution. The basic core of business coursework includes three credit hours each of Statistics or Quantitative Methods, Microeconomics, Financial Accounting, and Corporate Finance. These courses may be waived with significant, relevant work experience in finance.

Degree Requirements (63 total credit hours)


  • Forty-two credit hours of approved graduate credit must be satisfactorily completed for the MBA degree, and 30 credit hours of approved graduate credit must be satisfactorily completed for the MS BAN degree, with a maximum of 9 credit hours counting for both degrees, for a total number of credit hours of 63 credit hours.
  • Each student must successfully complete an integrative written analysis project in MBA 558 - Strategic Management.
  • Each student must complete the approved course of study within five years of the date of first registration for graduate study.
  • Courses requested for transfer are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Generally, no more than 3 credits from non-AACSB accredited universities will be accepted, and no more than 9 credits from AACSB accredited universities will be accepted. The Graduate Associate Dean determines how the courses, if any, will be transferred and will request recommendations from the faculty who teach within the disciplines being requested.
  • After admittance, students who wish to complete a course offered by another graduate program at UNCW must have the course approved by the MBA Director before enrolling.

Required Courses


To participate in the dual-degree program, a student can first enroll in either the MBA or the MSF program and then complete the second degree. The courses from the MSF that count towards the MBA are FIN 536 Corporate Finance and any two 500-level FIN classes, which count as MBA electives towards the finance specialization in the MBA program.

Capstone Project


Each student must successfully complete an integrative written analysis project in MBA 558  Strategic Management.

Applied Learning Residencies (6 credit hours)


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