Business Administration and Quantitative Finance

The Lee Business School offers a dual Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Quantitative Finance (MSQF) degree program that allows students to be admitted to both programs and achieve the MBA and MSQF degrees. The admission/graduate requirements and curriculum of this dual MBA/MSQF are identical to all other dual MBA programs, such as MBA/DMD, MBA/JD, MBA/MS-Hotel Administration, and MBA/MIS.

As a concurrent program, the dual degree requires that students satisfy the degree requirements of both programs. The dual MBA and MSQF program is designed for those who seek to develop a solid understanding of business administration with a focus on advanced analytical skills in finance. The program will provide students with the needed skills, knowledge, and tools to become visionary and creative business leaders with strong competency in quantitative finance. Students will graduate from the program with two degrees, an MBA, and an MSQF. The program includes 54 credits – each student completes a total of 30 Credit hours in MBA courses and a total of 24 credit hours in MSQF courses. The program does not require a thesis.

Both departments removed a certain amount of electives based on the strengths of the dual. In technical terms, the MBA is removing four electives and Finance is removing two in comparison to their original programs. This still leaves students with a full-time 3-year program which is actually very demanding, with 9 credits per semester.

In other words, since the purpose of the electives is to add breadth and depth to a program, with the dual program they can achieve the breadth and depth with electives across the programs. The MBA and Finance electives were studied to confirm that possibility.

For the MBA, having a dual with Finance gives students the option to further specialize in Finance beyond the MBA content. For Finance, students leave with a broader array of options towards the professional market.

While each graduate program has unique admissions standards, the Graduate College maintains minimum standards for graduate admission. All advanced degree and certificate program applicants must meet these eligibility requirements to be considered for admission. Immigration status does not impact admission to UNLV.

1. Bachelor’s Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, or an approved international equivalent.
2. Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for your bachelor’s degree, or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester hours).
3. Additional Requirements – Factors that may also be considered by the academic department to which you are applying include test scores (like the GRE or GMAT), the type of course work completed during undergraduate studies, letters of recommendation, writing samples or portfolios, and any other supporting documents your department/program may ask you to submit to complete your application.
4. International Applicants: Proof of English Proficiency – The application process for international students is the same as for domestic students, with the exception of submitting proof of English Proficiency.
5. Transcripts – All applicants are required to submit a transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. If the institution is outside the U.S., a foreign credential evaluation may be required. Please review our foreign credential evaluations page for additional guidelines, information, and requirements.
   Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Notarized copies of originals or translations are not considered official.

Credentials from China: Students who have completed a degree in China must provide copies of the original language transcripts and a copy of their Degree Certificate and Graduation Certificate. Documents verified by the Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD) or the China Academic Degree and Graduate information Center (CDGDC) are also accepted. 

Credentials from India: Consolidated marks sheets are acceptable if yearly mark sheets are not available. Mark sheets must also be issued by the degree-granting institution. Mark sheets from affiliated colleges, are not acceptable or considered official. Students who have completed a degree in India must also provide a copy of their Provisional Certificate.

Please note that the aforementioned requirements are the minimum requirements established and monitored by the Graduate College. Meeting the minimum admissions requirements is a necessary but not sufficient condition of admission. Admission decisions are based on applicants meeting the minimum Graduate College requirements and a more extensive and holistic departmental review, which considers a combination of factors, including indicators of success based upon academic degrees and records, the statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, test scores, relevant work experience, and the like.