Master Programme
Specialized Master in Finance
Fisher's STEM-designated Specialized Master in Finance (SMF) is a 36-credit, in-person program (18 core and 18 elective credits) for students from any major, most with under a year of work experience. The first autumn is all core: data analysis, financial analysis and valuation, investments, derivatives, corporate financial reporting, financial software (Bloomberg, Capital IQ) and financial modelling in Python. Spring brings a team capstone project for a real company and electives, followed by a summer internship and a final autumn of leadership, economics for financial analysts and electives. Specialization tracks are corporate finance and investment banking, investment management, risk management and insurance, and real estate. The program covers about 70% of the CFA candidate body of knowledge, and international graduates can apply for up to three years of OPT.
University
Ohio State University
Country
United States
Level
Master
Field
Finance
Duration
16 months full-time (3 semesters and a summer internship; 36 credits)
Language
English
Campus
Columbus
Degree
Specialized Master in Business - Finance (SMF)
Intake
Autumn semester only (autumn 2027 classes begin 24 August 2027)
Application Deadline
Autumn 2027 entry, with rolling review: 11 December 2026 (priority 1 for merit aid) and 19 February 2027 (priority 2), and 28 May 2027 as the final deadline for international students; later qualified applications are reviewed if space allows. Decisions usually come within four weeks of a deadline once the application checklist is complete. The non-refundable international application fee is US$70
Tuition Information
2026-27 (autumn 2026 and spring 2027): the Registrar lists the Specialized Master in Business (Finance) at US$1,862.53 per credit instructional fee and a US$875 per-credit non-resident surcharge, plus general and union fees, each charged up to 8 credits a semester, a US$261 business learning technology fee and per-semester campus fees, about US$45,400 for autumn and spring (our arithmetic). Ohio State's 2026-27 International Graduate Student Budget puts 9 months at US$71,631: US$49,503 for tuition, fees and health insurance plus US$22,128 for living costs. The program runs into a third semester, which costs extra. Graduate and Professional Admissions also advises having about US$3,000 extra for one-time costs such as the US$50 international orientation fee and yearly increases. All admitted applicants are considered for merit-based aid while funds last
Admission Requirements
- A completed four-year bachelor's degree or equivalent before enrollment; Ohio State generally does not treat a three-year bachelor's degree as equivalent. Scanned official transcripts from every institution are reviewed first, with official copies and certified English translations needed if admitted. No prerequisite courses or work experience are required, but the committee looks for evidence of quantitative skill
- Application materials: resume, an essay (about 750 words) on your goals and how the SMF will help, two references, an optional supplemental essay and optional letters of recommendation, and a recorded Kira Talent video interview. GMAT or GRE scores are optional
- English proficiency: Ohio State's Graduate School minimums apply: TOEFL iBT 79 (4.0 on the updated TOEFL), IELTS Academic 6.5 or Duolingo English Test 120, sent directly by the testing agency, unless you are a citizen of, or hold a bachelor's degree from, an exempt country such as Australia, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore or South Africa