Master of Science in Finance (MSF)

In collaboration with the Shidler College of Business Department of Finance, the Global Environmental Science (GES) program offers a combined Bachelor of Science in Global Environmental Science and Master of Science in Finance pathway that helps students earn both degrees in an accelerated timeframe. This pathway allows GES students to earn (9) upper-division credits that will be double-counted towards both GES and MSF degrees in their senior year. Once in the MSF program, after graduating with their GES BS degree, students take the remaining 21 credits necessary to complete the MSF degree.

BAM pathway guidelines:

  • Minimum Credits: A minimum of 143 credits total is required for both degrees, including 30 credits of MSF degree coursework (inclusive of capstone credits).
  • Double Counting: The following courses (nine total credits) will be double-counted for both GES and MSF degrees: FIN 450, 633, and 625 or 639. To be double counted, these courses must be:
    • Passed with a grade of B or better; and
    • Taken at UHM (not transferred in from another university) and while as an undergraduate
  • Eligibility (Gateway Course):BUS 314 is the “gateway” course that determines eligibility for the pathway, and which must be passed with a minimum grade of B to be considered for this pathway.
    • Required Courses: Students should also already be following the GES Risk Management and Insurance track to ensure they have taken all the relevant background courses before applying to this pathway.
  • Application: Interested candidates must submit their application via the College of Business Application website as well as all required program admission materials in the spring semester of their junior year (May 1).
    • Students must notify GES and the MSF program of their intent to apply for this pathway.
    • Accepted pathway applicants will not be required to take the GRE.
  • Pathway Admission: Once accepted, students will be dually-enrolled in GES and MSF in the fall semester of their senior year and begin the double-counted coursework (FIN 450, 633, and 625 or 639) at the undergraduate tuition rate.
    • An overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (upon graduation with the GES degree) is required to apply for and continue in the MURP program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree: The GES degree is conferred after successful completion of all required GES coursework, including meeting the minimum upper division credit requirement (45 credits) for the undergraduate degree (ideally in the 8th semester).
  • Graduate Enrollment: Pathway students begin their 9th semester as graduate students in the MSF program and complete semesters 9 and 10 at the graduate tuition rate.
    • Continuous enrollments after conferral of the bachelor’s degree is required (unless on approved leave of absence (LOA) after the first semester as a graduate student).
    • If the baccalaureate degree is not conferred, graduate status will be inactivated and the student may not continue to take courses applicable to the graduate program.
  • Leave of Absence (LOA): Until the bachelor’s degree is conferred, pathway students should follow the undergraduate procedures to request a LOA, if needed. Graduate students, once classified, must be enrolled for at least one semester before becoming eligible for a LOA.

Advising

Interested and eligible pathway students will need to be advised appropriately throughout this process by both GES and Shidler for their respective degree requirements.

MSF faculty advisor: Dr. Hua Chen | Shidler Office of Student Academic Services

Compare all GES Bachelor’s and Master’s pathways here.

Updated July 7, 2023.