Master of Corporate Finance at Pennsylvania State University

The Master of Finance in Corporate Finance program prepares graduates to stand out in a competitive job market by studying at a highly reputed business school with some of the world's leading academic thinkers in finance and industry experts. This program provides students with the analytical skills grounded in finance and economics needed to successfully engage as corporate strategic managers. Students will gain the skills needed to succeed in today's dynamic work environments, gain a firm understanding of issues and problems facing corporate management, develop an understanding and appreciation for leading edge research in corporate finance, and be prepared to become a successful corporate leader. World-class professors who are specialists in finance and economics will teach in the program. A solid foundation in finance, decision analysis, project management, accounting, valuation, market analysis, econometrics, and investment analysis will make the target audience more attractive to hiring managers and enable graduates to advance more rapidly into management and leadership positions.

The Master of Finance in Corporate Finance Program Learning Goals and Objectives include:

1. Broad Core of Finance Knowledge
   CFIN graduates will master a broad core of financial and economic knowledge and be able to integrate and apply this knowledge to business situations as corporate managers and strategic partners in industries requiring interdisciplinary skills and global perspectives.
   Learning Objectives:
   • CFIN graduates will demonstrate advanced competency in the underlying concepts, theory, and tools taught in core finance and economics programs.
   • CFIN graduates will be prepared to apply their knowledge of finance, economics and markets to identify, analyze, and recommend solutions to complex corporate strategic problems and projects requiring interdisciplinary and global perspectives.

   Assessment Method:  Course-embedded measure (FIN 550, BA 831, FIN 855)

2. Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills
   CFIN graduates will develop analytical and critical thinking skills needed to excel in today's business environment.
   Learning Objectives:
   • CFIN graduates will acquire the analytical and critical thinking skills needed to identify, analyze, and evaluate alternative solutions to problems and projects facing today's corporate managers and strategic planners.
   • CFIN graduates will develop the skills needed to craft and implement unique and "cutting edge" strategic and tactical plans.
   • CFIN graduates will be able to articulate and defend their analysis and recommended solutions to multiple audiences from business, government, and the community.
   • CFIN graduates will be able to integrate findings and analysis from cutting edge academic and practitioner research to problems and projects confronting corporate America.

   Assessment Method:  Course-embedded measure (FIN 550, FIN 880, MGMT 861)

3. Interpersonal Skills
   CFIN graduates will possess the interpersonal skills needed to impress hiring managers and become effective corporate managers and leaders.
   Learning Objectives:
   • CFIN graduates will be skilled at leadership, team building, interpersonal influence, and the management of change.
   • CFIN graduates will be able to communicate and work effectively with others in work settings involving cultural and demographic diversity.
   • CFIN graduates will become natural team leaders with the unique ability to identify and limit the phenomenon of "group think" that often plagues underperforming corporations. Graduates will draw out the high potential from their team members, leveraging the team's ability to analyze problems from many points of reference.

   Assessment Method:  Course-embedded measure (BA 817, MGMT 861)

4. Value System
   CFIN graduates will be able to evaluate the ethical and societal implications of the corporate strategic decision-making for which they are involved and responsible.
   Learning Objectives:
   • CFIN graduates will be skilled at evaluating the impact of various courses of action on multiple stakeholders, including investors, lenders, customers, and the broader community.

   Assessment Method: Course-embedded measure (FIN 883)

These learning outcomes will be achieved by a combination of lectures by faculty and invited guest lecturers, reading of key literature, individual and team projects, and practical involvement in a corporate finance capstone experience.