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Admission: Master of Finance
Before applying, International Applicants MUST click here. Prospective international students may view a PowerPoint Presentation on admission to the Master of Finance program here.
New students are admitted to the Master of Finance program once a year, in the fall semester. The Master of Finance program requires degree application. Nondegree enrollment is not permitted.
Degree Application Requirements
For admission to the Master of Finance degree program, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution or a postsecondary degree that is equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree earned from an officially recognized degree-granting international institution.
Admission is granted jointly by the Penn State Graduate School and the academic program at Penn State Great Valley. The Admissions Committee reviews applications and makes decisions based on the quality of an applicant's credentials relative to other applicants. Admission will be granted only to those candidates who demonstrate high promise of success for graduate work.
To apply, please submit the following:
- Online application
- Non-refundable application fee, payable by credit card online or by check or money order payable to The Pennsylvania State University. more
- Two official transcripts from each college or university you have attended. Penn State students do not need to submit transcripts. more
- GMAT or GRE score (GMAT code: CTG-GV-59; GRE code: 2660). Applicants holding an MBA from an AACSB accredited program, JD, CPA, CFA or doctoral degree are not required to submit standardized test scores. more
- Résumé more
- Statement of intent or career path objective (one page) more
- Two confidential evaluation forms more
Learn more about how to apply.
Transcripts should be sent directly from each college or university you have attended to the Penn State Great Valley Admissions Office, Attention: JoAnn Kelly, 30 E. Swedesford Rd, Malvern, PA 19355. When your application portfolio is complete, your admission will be reviewed by the faculty committee.
Concurrent Programs
Penn State offers an opportunity to pursue 2 degree programs on a concurrent basis.
Return to the Master of Finance home page.
Helpful Information
Transcripts
The Admissions Committee will review your undergraduate and graduate transcript. Individuals with a combined junior/senior grade-point average of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale and appropriate course backgrounds will be considered for admission. Your area of concentration and the balance of communication and analytical courses are also considered. Periodically, exceptions to the minimum grade-point average may be made for individuals with special backgrounds, abilities, and interests.
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The GRE and the GMAT
The Graduate Record Admission Test (GRE) measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking and analytical writing skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study. The GRE gauges undergraduate achievement in eight specific fields of study and is often required for admission into a master's degree program.
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), used by approximately 1,300 graduate management programs around the world, helps assess the qualifications of applicants by measuring the general verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills associated with success in the first year of study.
To register and prepare for the test, read the GMAT Bulletin. When evaluating GMAT scores, the admissions committee looks for a balance between verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing strengths. Typically, applicants with a minimum score of 500 will be considered for admission. Tests taken within five years of application will be considered. Test scores are to be supplied by the Educational Testing Service and sent directly to Penn State Great Valley (Code CTG-GV-59).
A GMAT preparation course is offered by Penn State Great Valley's Continuing Professional Education Department.
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Résumé
A listing of your academic and/or professional history and accomplishments. Your resume should emphasize your analytical, creative, and professional competencies.
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Statement of Intent
A one-page statement of intent should outline your planned career path with information about short- and long-term goals and how enrolling in the program may help achieve them. It should also include your expectations of the Master of Finance program and the skills and strengths you would bring to the cohort. The statement of intent offers you the opportunity to demonstrate writing and communication skills and to provide pertinent information to help the committee select candidates who can benefit from and contribute to the program.
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Evaluation Recommendations
Two current confidential evaluation recommendations provide a more complete personal understanding of your technical and leadership abilities. The recommendation should specifically address current employment or recent academic experience, as well as your potential to successfully complete the program. Recommendations should cite examples of speaking, writing, quantitative and analytical abilities, as well as how you interact in a group setting.
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