Georgetown University Launches Inaugural Class for the Master of Science in Finance (MSF) Online Program

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - Jun 5, 2014) - Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business announced the Master of Science in Finance (MSF) Online program in 2013. A total of 162 students applied to the program and 39 students matriculated into it. The average age of the students is 27 with 5 years of work experience. The range of professions is highly diverse, including some backgrounds originating outside finance. The students reside in 15 different states with an average undergraduate GPA of 3.4 and an average GMAT of 663 (range of 590-750). The commonality among the class is the pursuit of the highest caliber of education to become rising leaders in the finance industry.

The first course, Financial Markets, began on January 4, 2014. In addition to traditional textbook material, the MSF students have access to a library of on-demand high fidelity professor lectures, interviews, problem sets, and discussion forums known as Anytime Media. This content is delivered asynchronously and allows the student to work through the course materials at their own pace. Once a week, students will meet virtually with their professor during designated MSFLive sessions. The MSFLive sessions focus on case studies and provide students with the opportunity to interact with their profession in real time, applying what they have been learning in the Anytime Media to the active discussion. The MSFLive technology allows the professor to see all the students' video feeds simultaneously, facilitating the discussion much like they would in a traditional classroom. Similarly, students are required to actively participate in the discussion and are called on by the professor to provide their insight, answer polling questions, and interact with their fellow classmates. A sample of the technology including the Anytime Media components and the MSFLive sessions can viewed on the MSF website.

The first residency was held from April 11-17 on the University's campus. During the residency, the students participated in a team-based case study competition involving Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA). David G. Booth founder, chairman and CEO of DFA, was the guest speaker at the opening reception. He spoke to the class on topics that correlated the Georgetown MSF curriculum to real-world application and about the problem-solving innovations needed for the next generation of transformational finance leaders.

The MSF is the school's first online educational offering but, more importantly, it is a revolutionary step toward technology-enhanced education. As Allan Eberhart, Professor of Finance and MSF Director states:

"We are convinced that our Anytime Media approach will be the foundation for all future courses at Georgetown, not just online courses. The only difference between online and onsite students in the future will be that onsite students will be virtually present in live sessions such as MSFLive whereas the onsite students will be physically present." Students described the inaugural class as being a rigorous and transformational experience with a learning modality that fit their geography and professional goals.

"Georgetown's MSF program is the perfect balance of quality and flexibility in that it is still the quality you would expect from a Georgetown master's program, only it is removed from the physical campus." said student Nicholas Kurgansky.

The next cohort will start in August 2014. To learn more about Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program, or to apply for acceptance into the program, visit http://msf.georgetown.edu or call (866) 531-4825.

About Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business:

Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business provides a transformational education through classroom and experiential learning, preparing students to graduate as principled leaders in service to business and society. Through numerous centers, initiatives and partnerships, Georgetown McDonough seeks to create a meaningful impact on business practice through both research and teaching.

All academic programs provide a global perspective, woven through the undergraduate and graduate curriculum in a way that is unique to Washington, D.C. -- the nexus of world business and policy -- and to Georgetown University's connections to global partner organizations and a worldwide alumni network. Founded in 1957, Georgetown McDonough is home to some 1,400 undergraduates, 1,000 MBA students, and 1,200 participants in executive degree and open enrollment programs.

Learn more at http://msb.georgetown.edu and follow us on Twitter @msbgu.