FAQ

Goizueta’s Master of Finance degree delivers a unique, experiential learning curriculum that hones the strategic and technical skills necessary for next generation finance careers. While some finance masters programs focus on theoretical learning, Goizueta students learn through practical application in a curriculum designed to deliver the experience of an analyst immersion. Designed and led by an experienced finance practitioner, Goizueta’s finance masters degree also incorporates industry engagement and professional development opportunities.

Goizueta’s masters in finance degree is completed in 10 months. Courses begin in August and students graduate the following May.

Yes, Goizueta’s Master of Finance is a STEM-designated degree. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) allows graduates of STEM programs on F-1 visas, who work for an E-Verify employer, the opportunity to work full-time in the US. In addition to the normal Optional Practical Training (OPT) period of 12 months for international students, a STEM degree makes possible a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT, offering total potential eligibility of up to 36 months.

A finance lab is an exciting, interactive professional space that allows students to experience the pace of live global markets 24/7. Our finance lab is the hub of the masters in finance and provides students immersive, action-based learning in a professional trading floor setting. You will experience the pace of global markets and trading products in real time and be able to test out the models you have learned in the classroom using state-of-the-art tools (Bloomberg, Python, R, and Power BI), real-time market data, and trading platforms. Class time  is spent “on the job” in the Finance Lab, where you will mirror the position of a Wall Street analyst as you work through four divisions of an international bank or fund.

We are looking for smart people from any academic specialty with great quantitative and qualitative skills and a high degree of enthusiasm for the field of finance. Prior knowledge of finance or economics is not expected or required. Our immersive masters in finance degree is intended for candidates with:

• Undergraduate degree in any discipline with excellent quantitative and qualitative analysis skills. Majors include — but are not limited to — business, computer science, economics, engineering, math, sciences, social sciences or humanities
• Proven analytical proficiency demonstrated by coursework, internship, or test scores
• High degree of enthusiasm for finance industry – investment management, trading, banking or FinTech innovation
• 0-2 years of professional/internship experience (preferred but not required)
• Strong working knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Excel
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and enjoy working collaboratively to solve challenging problems
• Experience with programming languages is not required, but is a plus

Goizueta’s Master of Finance is designed for students with little or no work experience in the finance industry. Students completing their undergraduate degree are encouraged to apply and complete the masters in finance as a fifth year degree. The program is also well suited for those with two or fewer years of work experience with in the finance industry who want greater exposure to other areas of the finance industry and in-depth technical and analytical skills to advance their careers. Those with professional experience in other industries who are looking to transition into a career in finance are also well-suited for the program.

No, we do not accept transfer credits.

Our masters in finance degree is an intense, 10-month program. You should not make any employment or extended travel plans or commitments during the fall and spring semesters. Winter break will be an opportune time to travel.

Emory offers graduate professional housing in venues on the edges of campus targeted to students’ needs. Emory provides shuttles to these units. In addition, the Emory area offers a wide variety of attractive and affordable housing options including apartment complexes and rental homes. Admitted students receive more information on housing following admission to the program. You will find that Atlanta offers the access and opportunities of other major U.S. cities but at a much more affordable cost of living.

Prior knowledge of finance or economics is not expected or required. Our immersive masters in finance degree is intended for candidates with:

• Undergraduate degree in any discipline with excellent quantitative and qualitative analysis skills. Majors include — but are not limited to — business, computer science, economics, engineering, math, sciences, social sciences or humanities
• Proven analytical proficiency demonstrated by coursework, internship, or test scores
• High degree of enthusiasm for finance industry – investment management, trading, banking or FinTech innovation 0-2 years of professional/internship experience (preferred but not required) Strong working knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Excel Strong communication and interpersonal skills and enjoy working collaboratively to solve challenging problems Experience with programming languages is not required, but is a plus

An application is considered complete when we have received:

• a completed application form
• the application fee
• your essays
• transcripts for every institution attended
• your recommendations
• official standardized test score and TOEFL test score (if applicable)

Yes, regardless of whether your credits from other institutions were accepted by the institution where you received your degree, we must receive a transcript from each post-secondary institution attended.

We will accept scanned unofficial transcripts for evaluative purposes. Please upload all transcripts to the application with your essays and résumé. If you are admitted to the program you will be required to submit official transcripts with your enrollment deposit.

Yes, you may submit your application whenever you are ready. It will be reviewed in the first round following the date you submit. For example: If you submit on November 15, you have missed the Round 1 deadline and your application would be reviewed in Round 2.

Detailed instructions for checking the status of your application will be sent with confirmation that your application was received.

You will need to email us directly. Please forward a copy of your receipt with the date you submitted payment and the card holder's name. If you did not receive a receipt following online payment, please contact your credit card company and verify the charge. If the charge is not verified, please resubmit payment.

This is not an uncommon situation for international students. Most U.S. transcripts have a notation included that says, "degree conferred" or "degree issued." If your transcript does not state that your degree was issued, please include documentation that your degree was issued by your university. If you have completed the checklist in your application and yet still receive a message that your application is not complete, please email the admissions team.

Your request to your recommenders can be sent prior to submitting your application. Once you log into your application, fill out the recommender section and then select "notify" for each recommender. Your recommender will be notified of your request via email. Please tell them to expect the email and to check their spam box if they do not see it within a day. If the request is not there, you should contact us via email.

We prefer recommenders use our online recommendation form, but they may submit a letter that addresses our questions as long as they also include the evaluation grid, which can be downloaded from the hardcopy form. They may scan their letter which should include their business card and email it to us or send to our mailing address:

Applicants to the Master of Finance program at Goizueta Business School are required to take the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) unless they meet one or more of the following criteria: 

• Emory graduates who receive a 3.0 GPA or higher cumulative GPA 
   
• Non-Emory students studying at an accredited college or university who receive a 3.3 or higher cumulative GPA (STEM majors), or a 3.6 or higher cumulative GPA (Non-STEM majors who have taken quantitative classes) 
   
• A master's degree, doctorate, or professional degree (JD, MD) with a 3.3 or higher cumulative GPA from an accredited university 
   
• Received Series 7, CFA level 1 or CPA professional licensing and have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA from an accredited university 
   
• Submit a valid MCAT or LSAT

Your standardized test score is only one of the components we consider when making an admission decision. There is no minimum requirement. However, if you feel your score does not accurately reflect your capabilities, then you should consider retaking the GMAT/GRE. You should submit all scores. We do not average scores. We consider only the highest total score. Multiple test takings do not negatively impact how your application is reviewed.

All interviews are by invitation only after review of an application. All students who are admitted to our program have been interviewed. We offer in-person interviews for those who are local, but most often interview by a web-based tool similar to Zoom/Skype.

The interview is conducted by a member of the Admissions Committee and gives us an opportunity to get to know you better and may serve to answer some questions that were not addressed in your application file. You should plan to spend 30 minutes with your interviewer. If you are interviewing in person, please leave sufficient time to arrive at the interview location at least 20 minutes prior to your interview.

Candidates who are waitlisted in one round will be moved to the next round and the application will be reassessed. You may check your status online on the next decision notification date. If your waitlist status did not change, it means that you have remained on the waitlist, and your file will be reassessed in the next round.

Yes, loans are available and students may borrow up to the budgeted cost of attendance minus any scholarship. Loans include the Federal Stafford Loan, Graduate Plus Loan, Private Loans, and the International Student Loan. The International Student Loan does NOT require a U.S. co-signer.

All scholarships are merit-based and are determined based on the strength of the application. The Admissions Committee looks at academics, work experience, and demonstrated leadership in undergraduate and post graduate extracurricular activities.

There is no application for scholarships. All admitted candidates who submitted a completed application, including all recommendations, test scores, transcripts, and essays are automatically considered for merit-based scholarship. We announce merit scholarship awards when we communicate our admission decision.

Our scholarship notification coincides with the admission decision. Our program is highly competitive and not everyone is awarded scholarship. If your admission decision does not mention a scholarship, it means that you were not awarded a scholarship.