Before an MSFS degree is granted, the candidate must complete 35 semester hours, which includes a course in ethics and a thesis (or two extensive financial plans).

Required Courses (5 semester hours each)
Complete 4-5 of the following certification programs:

• Board Certified in Estate Planning (BCE)
• Certified Annuity Specialist (CAS)
• Certified Fund Specialist (CFS)
• Certified Tax Specialist (CTS)
• Retirement Income Specialist (RIS)

Elective Courses (3 semester hours each)
Complete 2-3 of the following courses:

• Business Law
• Economics
• Employee Benefits
• Financial Planning
• Insurance
• Real Estate Finance

Capstone Courses
All students must complete two capstone courses: Ethics (3 units) and Thesis Development and Presentation (3 units). Before signing up for the two-capstone courses, a minimum of 29 semester units must be successfully completed from the above-listed required and elective courses.

Ethics is a traditional graduate school course, similar to the course electives listed above, except shorter in length. Thesis Development and Presentation allows the graduate student to complete either a traditional Master's thesis or two extensive financial plans.