Planning for an ADD in Finance
Planning for an ADD in Finance
Planning for an ADD in Finance
Welcome!
Are you a currently enrolled Rowan University undergraduate? This page will help you plan early for the Accelerated Dual Degree in Finance.
If you are interested in attending Rowan in the future and would like to learn more about the ADD in Finance program, please visit the ADD in Finance: Support for Transfer Students page before exploring this page.
First Things First: What Exactly Is an Accelerated Dual Degree (ADD) in Finance (often called a “4+1” program)?
An Accelerated Dual Degree in Finance is just that—two Finance degrees at a faster pace, with substantial tuition savings.
Brief Overview of Your 4+1 Finance Pathway
You’ll begin by contacting an undergraduate advisor as soon as possible to get help aligning your undergraduate coursework with the 4+1 program. You’ll apply to the ADD in Finance during the Fall semester of your third year, with support from Finance department administrators and advisors. In your 4th year, you’ll begin your Master of Science in Finance (MSF) coursework. You’ll take 4 graduate Finance courses as a substitute for 4 of your undergraduate courses. You’ll complete your Bachelor of Science in Finance degree and then finish up your MSF in just one year after graduating.
The 4 graduate courses (12 credits) you completed in your fourth year will count toward both your degrees.
Besides the savings of having the 4 graduate courses count twice, you’ll also save on tuition because you paid the undergraduate rate for those 12 credits instead of the graduate rate, which is higher. Further, you’ll need only 18 more credits (6 graduate courses) to finish your MSF.
You’ll save about $14,000 in tuition overall. You can also save at least one year on the time it typically takes to complete your master’s degree.
Typically, it takes about 2 years to earn an MSF. Sometimes it can take longer, for example, if you are working full time. (Of note: you’ll have up to 7 years to complete the MSF, so you can go at your own pace if you choose to, while still retaining the tuition savings.)
As an ADD in Finance student, you’ll receive advising support throughout the BSF to MSF pathway!
Planning for an ADD in Finance: Year-by-Year
Undergraduate Students: Years 1–2
Student Actions
- Contact an undergraduate Academic Advisor to let them know you are interested in pursuing the 4+1 in Finance.
- Complete most BS in Finance coursework, including Finance core and elective courses.
Advising Support
- Students work closely with their undergraduate advisor to map their courses for the BSF sequencing for the Dual Degree in Finance.
- Advisors assist students in selecting Finance electives that align with students’ career goals and prepare them for graduate coursework.
- Advisors also help students choose appropriate courses for prerequisite sequencing and Foundation requirements for the MSF.
To get in touch with your undergraduate academic advisor for the ADD in Finance, email Allana Hooper (last names L–Z) at hooper@rowan.edu or Brittney O’Connor (last names A–K) at oconnorb@rowan.edu.
Eligibility Requirements
- Maintain strong academic standing.
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is required for admission to the 4+1 in Finance.
- Earn at least a C in the following standard courses in your BS in Finance program. These courses will later serve as the Foundation courses for the MSF. These Foundation courses build the quantitative and analytical skills needed for graduate Finance coursework and Finance-related careers:
- ACC 03210 Principles of Accounting I
- ACC 03211 Principles of Accounting II
- STAT 02260 Statistics I
- MATH 03125 Calculus
- ECON 04101 Macroeconomics
- ECON 04102 Microeconomics
- FIN 04300 Principles of Finance
Undergraduate Students: Year 3
Student Actions
- At 60 undergraduate Finance major credits earned (usually Fall semester of your third year), it is time to apply to the ADD in Finance program.
- Visit the Admissions section for application details; details are also found in Year 4.
Advising Support
- Work with a graduate advisor at GraduateBusinessStudies@rowan.edu to apply to and plan the MSF portion of your degree.
The application process involves an interdepartmental review component, so this step is key.
Eligibility Requirements
- Maintain strong academic standing; a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for admission to the ADD in Finance program.
- Think Ahead: graduate courses require B/3.0 or better to count toward an MSF degree, and a 3.3 cumulative GPA is preferred at the conclusion of Year 4 for formal admission to the MSF program.
Undergraduate Students: Year 4
Student Actions
- Throughout Year 4: Take up to 4 graduate-level Finance courses with FIN designation (12 credits) that count toward both degrees.
- Visit the MS Finance page to access a list of available courses for the MSF.
- Students may take the 4 graduate-level MSF courses during the Fall, Spring, or Summer terms; however, students may enroll in no more than two MSF graduate-level courses per semester during their final two semesters in the accelerated pathway. (Most students complete the 4 courses during Fall and Spring semesters.)
- End of Year 4: apply for graduation; visit the section below on graduating from the BSF for details.
- After Applying for Graduation: fill out an ADD Transition Form to be registered formally in the MSF program; visit Registering for the MSF Program below for details.
How to Register for Graduate Courses as an Undergraduate
- Throughout Year 4: contact a graduate advisor by emailing GraduateBusinessStudies@rowan.edu to request manual registration for any graduate-level courses taken as an undergraduate student. Include the course CRN, subject, number and title for each course you are requesting. Your graduate advisor will contact the Registrar’s Office to request manual registration in the approved courses.
Graduating from the BSF Portion of the ADD in Finance
- Students apply for undergraduate graduation for the term in which they expect to complete all undergraduate program requirements. Typically, 4+1 students attend commencement ceremonies for the BSF.
Registering in the MSF Program
- After an undergraduate graduation application is submitted, students, with help from a graduate advisor, complete and submit an ADD Transition Form to the Office of the University Registrar.
- This form will require approval from ADD Finance Program Coordinator, Dr. Jia Wang. Email Dr. Wang at wangji@rowan.edu to request a signature.
- Please cc GraduateBusinessStudies@rowan.edu when you email Dr. Wang.
This step will allow ADD Finance students to self-register for graduate coursework for the MSF in Year 5 and will also ensure that students are entered into the MS Finance program in the Registrar’s official records. The Registrar will automatically transfer students’ graduate course work from their undergraduate degree to their graduate transcript. Only grades of B or better will transfer.
Eligibility Requirements to Move into the MSF Part of the Pathway
- You must have earned at least a C in each of the Foundation courses listed in Eligibility Requirements for Years 1–2.
- You must earn a grade of B (3.0) or higher in all graduate-level courses taken as an undergraduate for them to count toward your Master of Science in Finance degree.
- A 3.3 cumulative GPA is preferred at the conclusion of Year 4 for formal admission to the MSF program.
Graduate Students: Year 5
Student Actions
- Complete the remaining 6 Master of Science in Finance courses (18 credits) to finish your graduate degree.
Advising Support
- Summer classes may be required to graduate from the MSF on time, depending on available course offerings, so students are encouraged to work closely with an advisor at GraduateBusinessStudies@rowan.edu to stay on track for the accelerated pathway.
Graduating from the MSF portion of the ADD in Finance
- Students apply for their graduation from the MSF program for the term in which they expect to complete all graduate program requirements.
Keep in mind that students may join Spring commencement ceremonies even if they have up to 6 credits left to complete for graduation in the summer.
Eligibility Requirements
- You must earn a 3.0 GPA with no grades below C and no more than 2 grades of C to successfully complete the Master of Science in Finance program.
What Happens If I Change My Mind About Completing the full Master of Science in Finance While Working on My Bachelor of Science in Finance?
If your plans change, you may still be able to earn a Certificate of Graduate Study (COGS) in Finance, which is an excellent way to demonstrate graduate-level achievement to future employers.
Students who later decide not to pursue the full Master of Science in Finance degree are still eligible to earn a Certificate of Graduate Study (COGS) in Finance as long as they complete at least 3 of the 4 graduate-level Finance courses in their fourth year with at least a 3.0 GPA and no individual course grades below C.
How to Add the COGS in Finance to Your Transcript
Apply for the COGS in Finance when you apply to graduate from the BSF, using Self-Service Banner. You may also request a printed Finance COGS certificate once the COGS is officially on your transcript.
Admissions: Dual Degree in Finance
Steps to Apply:
- Email GraduateBusinessStudies@rowan.edu to confirm your eligibility and develop a preliminary course plan for the MSF portion of the program.
- Visit the ADD Forms page of the Office of the Registrar. Download and complete the ADD Student Agreement & Confirmation Form.
- Prepare a short statement of purpose and acquire two letters of recommendation (e.g., from professors and employers).
- Submit your completed form for review and required signatures and the items in #2 to the ADD Program Coordinator, Dr. Jia Wang: Wangji@rowan.edu (cc GraduateBusinessStudies@rowan.edu when you email Dr. Wang).
- Email a copy of your completed and signed form to GraduateBusinessStudies@rowan.edu for official processing.
Once accepted into the ADD in Finance, the student, ADD advisor, Dr. Wang, and an Academic Advisor from the Graduate Business Studies Office will work together to ensure that a completed ADD Student Agreement and Confirmation Form is submitted to the Office of the University Registrar.
Have Questions About the Accelerated Pathway in Finance? Need Help with Admissions?
Join Us for an Upcoming Information Session
You’ll meet with ADD Finance and MSF administrators and advisors in a live virtual session. Ask your questions in real time, get a feel for the ADD program, community, application process, and requirements. Explore the ins-and-outs of starting an advanced degree while still an undergraduate and how you can graduate with in-demand skills employers seek.
Bring all your questions. We’re here to help you achieve your goals.
Register for an Information Session
To current Rowan undergraduates, transfer students, parents, community college faculty, and high school teachers and administrators: all are welcome to join!
Why Choose an ADD in Finance at Rohrer College of Business?
- You’ll learn from expert faculty. Courses are taught by Ph.D.-qualified professors with national and international reputations.
- The BSF/MSF Accelerated Pathway is AACSB Accredited. Only 5.7% of business schools worldwide hold AACSB Accreditation.
- Rowan’s Finance programs are designed to prepare students for premier certification exams:
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP), important credential for financial management advisors; Rowan is in the process of becoming CFP registered.
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), most respected credential for portfolio managers; Rowan is a CFA-affiliated university.
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) scholarship opportunities: waived enrollment and discounted registration. Rowan students can apply for the scholarship twice, once as an undergraduate and then again as graduate student.
- Finance Advisory Board: leaders from top companies in Finance provide practical curriculum guidance tied to career outcomes and emerging industry needs; the Board advises for both BS and MS in Finance curriculum.
ADD in Finance: Program Curriculum
BS in Finance – 120 Credits Total
Finance Required Courses
These courses build specialized expertise in areas such as investment analysis, financial modeling, risk management, and emerging financial technologies.
- Financial Management I & II, Investments
- Financial Institutions & Markets
- International Financial Management
- Financial Analytics (new)
- Intermediate Accounting I
Finance Electives
Choose from topics in key evolving areas of Finance with course offerings such as Portfolio Management, Personal Financial Planning, Bank Management, Financial Derivatives, and more.
Delve into high-interest, specialized courses responding to today’s financial environment, such as Foundations of Blockchain (new), Bitcoin, Crypto, Blockchain Applications (new), and more.
Business Foundations
These courses help students develop the quantitative, accounting, and analytical background needed for success in graduate-level Finance study and careers in the Finance field.
- Marketing
- Accounting
- Management
- Management Information Systems
- Operations
- Business Policy
Rowan Core and Free Electives
These courses meet Rowan University’s education requirements for the bachelor’s degree.
Develop Finance Expertise with Master’s-Level Coursework
MS in Finance – 30 Credits Total, including:
- Advanced Financial Planning
- Quantitative Methods in Finance
- Financial Modeling
- Financial Institutions Management
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Investment Analysis & Portfolio Management
- Derivative Securities & Financial Risk Management
- Fixed Income Securities
- Financial Decision Making
- Multinational Financial Management
The total required student hours for the BS/MS Accelerated Pathway in Finance equals 138 credits. If pursued separately, both degrees combined would require 150 credits.
Look Inside the Program Guide for the BSF/MSF Accelerated Pathway*
Download the BS/MS Finance Accelerated Pathway Program Guide (4+1)Note: The BSF/MSF Accelerated Pathway Program Guide reflects the program requirements for the 2025–2026 catalog term (*with a few courses pending final faculty senate approvals). Please note that students are held to program requirements based on the catalog term in which they declare the major. If you declared the major prior to 2025–2026, please reach out to your Academic Advisor for information on your requirements.
Contact Us for Help Planning Your Future in Finance
Undergraduate Advising
Questions about:
- BSF course sequencing
- undergraduate course planning
- accelerated pathway preparation
Contact:
- Allana Hooper (Last names L–Z): hooper@rowan.edu
- Brittney O’Connor (Last names A–K): oconnorb@rowan.edu
Graduate Pathway Support
Questions about:
- applying to the ADD program
- transitioning into graduate-level coursework
- MSF program preparation
Contact:
Accelerated Dual Degree (ADD) Program Coordinator Dr. Jia Wang
wangji@rowan.edu
MSF Program and Graduate Business Support
Questions about:
- MSF course sequencing
- applying to the ADD program
- transitioning into graduate-level courses
- MSF program requirements
Contact:
Office of Graduate Business Studies
GraduateBusinessStudies@rowan.edu
Related Programs of Interest
MS Finance Program
The MS in Finance program at the Rohrer College of Business is a rigorous academic experience that combines quantitative techniques with practical and professional application.
BS Finance
The BS in Finance program provides students with challenging, career-oriented preparation for Finance careers or graduate study.
MBA/MSF Accelerated Pathway
The MBA/MS in Finance Accelerated Pathway is intended for students who want to pursue both the MBA and MS in Finance concurrently or successively.
Finance Advisory Board
The purpose of the Finance Advisory Board is to advise the Rohrer College of Business Finance Department Head and faculty in helping students achieve their goal of pursuing a career in a finance-related field. The Board’s objectives are to actively support students in achieving success both in their academic and career pursuits. Further, the Board strives to assist the Finance faculty in the delivery of a leading-edge curriculum by providing input on emerging trends in the practice and development of finance. Finally, the Board promotes the RCB Finance Program to external constituencies and participates in appropriate business-faculty-student interaction activities.
