Office / Building: Spencer Fox Eccles Business Bldg
Mailing Address: David Eccles School of Business, Spencer Fox Eccles Business Building, Room 7126 , Salt Lake City Utah 84112
Website URL: https://eccles.utah.edu/faculty/department-of-finance/
Department Main Phone: 801-581-7463
Department Main Email: Finance@Eccles.Utah.edu
Department Chair: Michael Cooper, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Advising Services: L.S. Skaggs Student Services Center, Spencer Fox Eccles Business Building (SFEBB) Room 1120, 801-581-7853 Eccles.link/advising
Contact for Prospective Students: Contact the Office of Admissions and Transitions https://eccles.utah.edu/take-a-tour/
Overview
The Department of Finance at the David Eccles School of Business advances knowledge and develops analytically strong, ethically grounded professionals prepared to excel in today’s diverse and evolving financial landscape. As a core academic unit within the School and the University, the department plays a central role in shaping business education through its commitment to rigorous instruction, high-impact research, and engaged scholarship.
Our academic focus spans key areas of finance including corporate finance, investments, financial markets, financial data analytics, risk management, and entrepreneurial finance. This breadth ensures that students build deep expertise supported by strong quantitative and decision-making skills. The department is dedicated to teaching excellence, providing transformative learning experiences that integrate theory, applied practice, and real-world problem solving.
The department’s academic and professional mission is strongly supported by three centers that expand opportunities for students and faculty. The Institute of Advanced Investment Management enhances education in portfolio and investment management by supporting applied research, student-managed investment funds, and hands-on learning experiences in asset management. The Fintech Center advances financial innovation and inclusion through coursework, industry partnerships, applied labs, and connections to the broader fintech ecosystem in Utah, giving students exposure to emerging technologies and real-world applications. The Ivory-Boyer Real Estate Center connects students, faculty, alumni, and industry leaders through research initiatives, mentorship, networking, competitions, and experiential learning in real estate finance and development. Together, these centers enrich the department’s curriculum, expand professional pathways, and support faculty research excellence.
We are committed to producing influential research that advances financial understanding and informs industry and policy. Through partnerships with local, national, and global organizations, we foster community engagement and create hands-on opportunities that enhance student learning and professional growth. Distinctive strengths of the department include its research-active faculty, strong industry connectivity in a dynamic regional economy, emphasis on experiential and data-driven learning, and a culture that values innovation, collaboration, and inclusive excellence. These elements position our graduates to contribute meaningfully to organizations, markets, and society.
Types of Degrees
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
Minors
Master of Science
Undergraduate Programs
Finance students at the David Eccles School of Business learn to raise, invest, and manage capital in creative, productive, and responsible ways, gaining skills that are essential in today’s fast-moving global economy. Coursework spans investment, financial management, private equity and hedge funds, and is taught by world‑class faculty at a department ranked among the top 20 universities globally in research.
Students can customize their experience by choosing from three emphases: Advanced Financial Analysis, Fintech, and Real Estate. These are also available as a minor for added flexibility.
Beyond the classroom, Finance majors tap into high‑impact experiential learning opportunities that bring concepts to life. Popular options include the Finance Career Conference, Student Investment Fund, Crimson Quant Club, Finance Club, Fintech Club, Real Estate Club, Wealth Management & Investing Club, Women in Finance, UVF, and the immersive Week on Wall Street, where students meet industry leaders and experience finance careers firsthand.
Students can also pursue the Finance Honors Degree, the Eccles School’s first departmental honors program, as an excellent option for those looking to push themselves academically and stand out in competitive fields.
With strong industry connections, exceptional academic advising, dedicated career coaching, and competitive placement outcomes, the Finance major prepares students for exciting paths in venture capital, investment banking, commercial banking, and more.
Website: Visit the website for the most up-to-date information: Eccles.Link/Finance
Email: advising@eccles.utah.edu
Admission Requirements
There may be additional admission requirements for this program. Please see the program pages for more information.
Apply for and be admitted to Eccles School (Upper Division).
Students must be admitted to the Eccles School (Upper Division) prior to applying for admission to the Finance major.
Apply for and be admitted to the Finance major.
Admission criteria are reviewed annually and subject to change. Please visit Eccles.Link/Finance to learn more about the current admission criteria and policies.
Scholarships
The majority of scholarships across campus are awarded by academic year rather than by individual semesters. Those applications will become available in the fall for incoming freshmen and transfer students, and in the spring for current students. Visit the Eccles School Scholarship webpage (Eccles.Link/UG-Scholarships) for current information on various scholarship programs, deadlines, and other scholarship resources available to undergraduate business students. A complete listing of all University scholarships, grants, and loans is available from the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office, 105 Student Services Building.
Graduate Programs
The Department of Finance at the David Eccles School of Business offers three graduate degree programs:
Master of Science in Finance (MSF)
Master of Science in Financial Technology (MSFT)
Master of Real Estate Development (MRED)
In addition, the department offers Graduate Certificates in Financial Technology and Real Estate, providing focused, stackable credentials aligned with industry needs.
Master of Science in Finance (MSF)
The MSF program is nationally recognized and prepares students for careers in investment management, corporate finance, asset management, and financial analysis. The program features a flexible 30-credit curriculum delivered both in person and online, allowing students to tailor their academic experience to professional goals.
The MSF is affiliated with the CFA Institute, with coursework aligned with the CFA Level I exam, supporting students pursuing the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. The MSF program is also a CAIA Academic Partner, connecting students to the global alternative investment community and supporting preparation for the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst credential.
Website: msf.eccles.utah.edu
Master of Science in Financial Technology (MSFT)
The MSFT is an interdisciplinary graduate program developed in partnership with three University of Utah colleges:
David Eccles School of Business
Price College of Engineering
S.J. Quinney College of Law
The program focuses on the intersection of finance, technology, and regulation, preparing students for leadership roles in financial innovation, digital infrastructure, and financial inclusion. Students develop competencies in computational finance, AI-driven decision-making, regulatory frameworks, and emerging financial technologies.
(Final approvals expected 2026.)
Website: msft.eccles.utah.edu
Master of Real Estate Development (MRED)
The MRED is an interdisciplinary professional degree designed to prepare students for careers in real estate development and investment. The program integrates finance, market analysis, urban planning, design, and construction management, equipping graduates to lead complex real estate projects across private and public sectors.
Website: mred.eccles.utah.edu
Ph.D in Finance
The PhD Program in Finance at the David Eccles School of Business prepares students to become productive scholars and future leaders in academic research. The program provides rigorous training in theoretical and empirical finance, supported by strong foundations in economics, econometrics, and quantitative methods. Students engage closely with faculty who are active researchers across areas such as corporate finance, asset pricing, financial markets, financial data analytics, and entrepreneurial finance. This collaborative environment encourages early involvement in research, fosters original scholarship, and supports students as they develop expertise tailored to their scholarly interests.
Throughout the program, students participate in research workshops, seminars, and professional development activities designed to strengthen their analytical skills and prepare them for successful academic careers. Graduates go on to join research‑oriented universities, policy institutions, and organizations requiring advanced financial analysis. With its emphasis on high‑quality research, strong methodological training, and individualized mentorship, the PhD program equips students with the tools necessary to make meaningful contributions to the field of finance.
Admission Requirements
There may be additional admission requirements for these programs. Please see the program pages for more information: (Graduate) https://eccles.utah.edu/programs/graduate/ (Ph.D) https://eccles.utah.edu/programs/phd/
Scholarships
Graduate students have the opportunity to apply for scholarships. Please check the program's website for application deadlines and instructions regularly for details.