Degree Requirements
is a mandatory, 0.5 credit, two-week summer course which begins the program. The MA degree then requires eight full-credit courses – four in the fall and four in the spring - as well as two required 0.25-credit courses in leadership development (
and
).
,
, and
are required for all students, and
is required for those who lack sufficient backgrounds in accounting. Remaining courses for each student are chosen based on background, interests and available slots. Students admitted to the BA/MA combined degree program can enroll in specific courses during their third and fourth years, as approved by the Director of the Graduate Program or the Dean of the Robert Day School.
Students in the graduate program must maintain at least a B- average (a GPA of 8) in order to remain in good academic standing at Claremont McKenna College and earn the MA degree. If a student earns a GPA below 8 in the fall semester, the student will be placed on academic probation. The degree will be granted only if the GPA at the end of the spring semester is at least 8. Further, students who earn any single grade of F will be dismissed from the program without earning the degree.
Fall courses are not offered in the spring, so there is no opportunity to retake or make up courses. Withdrawing from a course is the same as withdrawing from the program, although in special circumstances the student may be considered for readmission in a subsequent academic year. All eight of the student’s approved regular-session courses must be taken for a letter grade (FIN 300 and FIN 301A/B are graded on a credit/no credit basis).
Claremont McKenna College has one formal graduation ceremony each year, which takes place the Saturday after the end of final examinations in May. It is a degree-granting ceremony in which diplomas are awarded to students who have completed all requirements for their degrees. Master of Arts in Finance students who have fully completed all graduation requirements are encouraged to participate. Students who complete graduation requirements in the middle of an academic year (September and December graduates) are welcome to participate in the commencement exercise the following May.