Earn Your MBA With a Finance Concentration
100% Online Program
The finance concentration prepares students to master financial decision-making, investment strategies, and cutting-edge technologies like blockchain and Decentralized Finance (DeFi). With a focus on practical skills and diverse case studies, this program builds broad numeracy and strategic insight, positioning graduates for leadership roles in any industry.
Why is NDNU partnering with Rize for the finance concentration?
Rize is focused on making projects apply to real-world skills and making them current. Every project our students do has real-world applications that drive job outcomes. When students present, for example, the model of valuing a publicly traded company, that’s great for interviews.
Case studies are a standard part of any MBA concentration experience, but Rize ensures students see a lot of different cases during the program, each dealing with a different company, which gives students diverse practical knowledge and perspectives. Our program is centered around teaching the skills and behaviors that will get our students great jobs, and when it comes to job interviews, knowing about that specific company and its industry is very important. Diverse case studies can help give that crucial contextual information, as well as more generally helping students understand the finance landscape.
Rize’s finance concentration emphasizes the importance of broad numeracy—the ability to work with numbers. Being able in an interview to talk about one’s ability with numbers and spreadsheets is invaluable—and this course will prepare students to demonstrate their numeracy through building spreadsheet models to analyze and forecast company financial results.
Students will also learn about disruptions to traditional finance and cutting-edge financial innovations, including cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and Decentralized Finance (DeFi), preparing students to navigate global markets and leverage new financial technologies effectively—and drive innovation and strategic growth in their future careers.
And finally—we get students excited about finance. Passion in a quantitative field like finance doesn’t just help students learn better—it helps them stand out
For more information regarding the NDNU Rize partnership Click Here
Why Finance?
Often what firsts draws students to finance is money, and there’s no doubt that those who work in finance are handsomely paid. With entry-level financial analyst salaries already pushing six figures with a national median at $99,000, and financial managerial salaries at $156,000, the potential for earning is high. Down the line, graduates could grow into a CFO role, if not more.
Salary aside, pursuing a concentration in finance just makes sense for an MBA student. Finance is one of the clearest differentiators that can help literally any graduate bring value and impact to any industry. And with 82% of CFOs holding an MBA, students who specialize in finance during their MBA are strategically positioning themselves to follow this lucrative and well-established career path. Finance also allows for unparalleled exit opportunities. While executive general management roles like COO or President have traditionally been the stepping-stones to CEO positions, the opportunities for CFOs to ascend to CEO roles in large companies are increasing.
But beyond even those benefits, a career in finance is also a genuinely rewarding path that offers real intellectual satisfaction. Finance is the cornerstone of society today and can drive both global impact and innovation. So, if you like creativity and numbers, if you want a career at the crossroads of wealth, prestige, and intellectual satisfaction, if you thrive in a competitive environment and want to rub shoulders with powerful people—then finance might be the perfect place for you.
Program Mission Statements
Master Money, Master Business: Every business decision has financial implications. Through our MBA in Finance, you’ll develop the quantitative confidence and strategic vision to drive value creation in any organization.
Build Your Path to the C-Suite: With 82% of CFOs holding MBAs and an increasing number advancing to CEO roles, finance expertise creates unparalleled career opportunities. You’ll develop the technical skills and strategic mindset to join their ranks.
Lead Financial Innovation: In an era of DeFi, blockchain, and financial technology disruption, organizations need leaders who understand traditional principles and emerging opportunities. You’ll learn to navigate and drive innovation in this rapidly evolving landscape.
Turn Numbers into Strategy: Finance isn’t just about calculations—it’s about making decisions that shape organizational futures. You’ll learn to translate complex financial data into clear strategies that drive business success.
Admissions Information
To be admitted into the MBA program, students need to meet the following requirements:
- A four-year bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from a regionally accredited institution
- A cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better
- Two academic and/or professional recommendations
- One or more courses in each of the foundation areas of accounting, economics, statistics, and math.
International students should also refer to the general graduate admission requirements.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Make corporate financial decisions and solve financial problems using modern financial modeling techniques.
- Apply quantitative and analytical skills to make informed investment decisions and optimize investment portfolio performance.
- Apply and interpret financial analytics and use valuation techniques to aid in making investment decisions.
- Communicate financial analyses, insights, and strategies to stakeholders to drive financial success.
- Assess career opportunities and key sectors relevant to finance.
- Evaluate new financial technologies and their potential to disrupt traditional finance.
Key Skills You'll Gain:
- Corporate Finance
- Optimize budgets and capital structure
- Investment Analysis
- Maximize portfolio performance
- • Financial Valuation
- Assess company worth
- Emerging Finance
- Navigate blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and DeFi
The Role of a Finance Leader:
- Manage Corporate Finances
- Optimize budgets, capital allocation, and risk
- Analyze Investments
- Evaluate market opportunities and maximize returns
- Drive Business Strategy
- Use Financial insights to shape corporate growth
- Navigate Financial Disruptions
- Understand emerging technologies like blockchain and DeFi
Rize Concentration (3 Units / 8-Week Courses)
BUS 4130 – Capital Markets and Investing
- Covers bond valuation, risk measurement, cost of capital, portfolio theory, CAPM (the Capital Asset Pricing Model), interest rates, and basics of futures and options contracts.
BUS 4134 – Financial Statements Analysis and Valuation
- Covers financial statement analysis, ratio analysis, risk assessment, pro forma statements, and valuation techniques, equipping students to evaluate and value companies effectively.
BUS 4136 – Frontiers of Finance
- With a general theme of disruptors in traditional finance, covers blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and DeFi (decentralized finance).
Course Highlights
Capital Markets and Investing: Deep dive into investment theory and practice. Learn to value securities, understand portfolio theory, and confidently navigate global capital markets.
Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation: Develop the skills to analyze any company’s financial health and determine its true value. Build sophisticated financial models that drive strategic decision-making.
Frontiers of Finance: Explore how blockchain, cryptocurrency, and DeFi are reshaping finance. Learn to identify and leverage opportunities in emerging financial technologies.
Subject Matter Expert
Dr. Robert Hansen is the Norman W. Martin 1925 Professor of Business Administration at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business and was previously Senior Associate Dean. He served as faculty director of the Center for Business and Society and co-faculty director of the Business Bridge Program and the Master of Health Care Delivery Science Program at the College. His expertise is in microeconomics, with a focus on game theory, auction markets, and public policy. His teaching has been in the economics, public policy including healthcare policy, and finance areas. He has written and published articles in the areas of auction theory, corporate finance and corporate policy, industrial organization, and law and economics.
Finance Concentration FAQ’s
In addition to its exceptional development team:
Online-First: We built this program to ensure that its online classes are not merely attempting to recreate the in-person experience but leverage the strengths of online learning. Students can enjoy the flexibility of remote coursework and engage with students at other leading institutions, bolstering their professional networks for the future.
Comprehensive Financial Skill-Building: This program builds broad numeracy skills and deep financial knowledge. Through hands-on experience with spreadsheet modeling, economic forecasting, and company valuation, students develop the quantitative confidence to tackle any financial challenge. Courses like “Capital Markets and Investing” and “Financial Statement Analysis” provide the technical foundation for senior financial roles.
Future-Focused Leadership: Going beyond traditional finance, this program prepares students for the future of financial services. Students explore cutting-edge developments in blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, and decentralized finance (DeFi), positioning them to drive innovation and strategic growth in their organizations. The curriculum balances timeless financial principles with emerging technologies reshaping the industry.
Business and Strategy Leaders
Why: To strengthen their leadership trajectory with deep financial expertise, recognizing finance as the most straightforward path to C-suite positions.
Example: A business unit leader who wants to advance to CFO or CEO through the financial leadership track.
Financial Services Professionals
Why: To broaden their technical expertise and gain the strategic perspective needed for senior leadership roles.
Example: A financial analyst aiming to become an Investment Director, Portfolio Manager, or Chief Financial Officer.
Investment Banking Associates
Why: To deepen their understanding of complex financial instruments and gain the strategic mindset needed for Vice President or Director roles.
Example: An associate seeking to accelerate their path to Investment Banking Director or Managing Director.
Corporate Finance Professionals
Why: To move beyond technical financial analysis into strategic leadership positions where they can drive organizational strategy.
Example: A corporate finance manager seeking to become Treasurer, CFO, or strategic financial advisor.
Industry Professionals Transitioning into Finance
Traditional Business Roles
Why: To pivot into higher-paying financial leadership roles while leveraging their industry expertise.
Example: An operations manager interested in becoming a Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Director or CFO.
Consultants and Project Managers
Why: Add sophisticated financial expertise to their consulting toolkit and lead higher-value strategic initiatives.
Example: A management consultant looking to specialize in M&A, private equity, or financial strategy consulting.
Technology and Innovation Leaders
FinTech Professionals
Why: To combine technical knowledge with deep financial expertise to drive innovation in financial services.
Example: A software developer seeking to launch a FinTech startup or lead digital transformation in traditional finance.
Blockchain and DeFi Enthusiasts
Why: To gain traditional financial expertise while preparing to lead in emerging financial technologies.
Example: A cryptocurrency professional wanting to bridge traditional and decentralized finance.
Recent Graduates
Business and Economics Graduates
Why: To accelerate their career by adding advanced financial expertise to their foundational business knowledge.
Example: A recent economics graduate seeking to fast-track their path to financial leadership roles.
If a student doesn’t want to work directly in finance, highlight how the skills gained from this program are transferable to many other fields. Virtually any business, large or small, even nonprofit organizations, needs people with financial knowledge and capabilities. There is always a need to report financial results to both management and outside constituents, and even more important is the need to do financial analysis to assess the organization’s health and evaluate projects and strategies. Finance is vital to any organization—you are dead in the water without it!
More specifically, finance knowledge is valuable in business consulting, corporate strategy, entrepreneurship, and operations management roles. Emphasize the analytical, decision-making, and strategic thinking skills integral to finance and can be applied to various industries. Additionally, government, non-profits, and. education careers can benefit from a strong understanding of financial principles. Encourage students to consider roles where financial acumen is critical to broader business responsibilities.
Career Opportunities In Finance
State Authorization for Online Programs
The Department of Education requires that institutions offering online or distance learning programs outside of their home states must seek authorization to operate from regulatory bodies in those states. Each state has a different set of requirements when it comes to allowing out-of-state colleges and universities to offer online degree programs to its residents.
