Admission: Master of Finance
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New students are admitted to the Master of Finance program in January. Applications should be submitted by November 30.
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, you must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited college or university with credit conditions equivalent to those required by Penn State.
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 $45 application fee, payable by credit card online or by check or money order payable to The Pennsylvania State University.
- Two official transcripts from each college or university you have attended. Penn State students do not need to submit transcripts. (More Info)
- GMAT or GRE score – Applicants holding an MBA, JD, CPA, CFA or doctoral degree are not required to submit standardized test scores (More Info)
- Resumé (More Info)
- Statement of intent or career path objective (one page) (More Info)
- Two confidential evaluation forms (More Info)
Mail transcripts and other required documents to: Penn State Great Valley, Admissions Office, 30 E. Swedesford Rd, Malvern, PA 19355.
When your application portfolio is complete, your admission will be reviewed by the faculty committee. Applicants will either be invited for an interview or informed that the application was not successful. Applicants who are not invited for interviews may want to strengthen credentials and resubmit their application at a later date.
Concurrent Programs
Penn State offers an opportunity to pursue 2 degree programs on a concurrent basis.
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Helpful Information
Transcripts
The Admissions Committee will review an applicant's 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. An applicant's 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 2723).
A GMAT preparation course is offered by Penn State Great Valley's Continuing Professional Education Department.
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Resumé
A current resumé gives the committee information about an applicant's relevant leadership and work experience. Penn State Great Valley generally considers candidates with a minimum of three to five or more years of professional experience. An applicant's leadership skills, aptitude for leadership development, and general knowledge of the business environment are also reviewed. Please highlight all leadership roles you have experienced throughout your life.
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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 applicants the opportunity to demonstrate writing and communication skills and 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 an applicant's technical and leadership abilities. The recommendation should specifically address current employment or recent academic experience, as well as an applicant's potential to successfully complete the program. Recommendations should cite examples of speaking, writing, quantitative and analytical abilities, as well as how an individual interacts in a group setting.
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