University General Course Catalog 2026-2027 (DRAFT) 
    
    Jun 16, 2026  
University General Course Catalog 2026-2027 (DRAFT)

BS/MS Accelerated Program, Finance


The College of Business and the Department of Managerial Science, Finance offer outstanding undergraduate students in the Finance BS program an accelerated path to completion of an MS degree. The BS and MS combination employs an accelerated curriculum that allows students to complete 108 undergraduate credits and 33 graduate credits in 5 years by applying 12 graduate credits (600-799) to specific requirements within both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Students are admitted to accelerated programs at the end of their junior year and enroll in 12 graduate credits during their senior year. Students admitted to this program will complete all undergraduate degree requirements before formally advancing to graduate standing. The program culminates in a non-thesis MS degree in Finance.

Program Learning Outcomes


Students will be able to:

  • demonstrate mastery of fundamental business knowledge and practices.
  • possess analytical and critical thinking skills. (CT)
  • effectively communicate within a business environment. (C)
  • use information technology to support business analysis and operations. (QR)
  • recognize, evaluate, and resolve ethical issues, both personally and organizationally.
  • develop a global business perspective and have the knowledge and skills to conduct business internationally.

Contact Information


Hongchao Zeng, Director of BS/MS Accelerated Program in Finance
hzeng@unr.edu
(775) 682-9195

Mailing Address:
University of Nevada, Reno
John Tulloch Business School (TULL 427)
201 East 9th Street
Reno, NV 89512

How to Apply?


In the second semester of your junior year, submit the accelerated bachelor’s/master’s program application form to the Graduate School. Please consult with the program director on how to fill out the form.

Application requirements

  • At least 75 credits toward bachelor’s degree completed
  • At least 15 credits earned at the University of Nevada, Reno at the time of application
  • FIN 301 completed
  • Minimum 3.3 CGPA

In the second semester of your senior year, submit the graduate application to the Graduate School.

Application requirements

  • Statement of purpose
  • GRE/GMAT waived
  • Two letters of recommendations, one from a faculty member in the Finance Department and the other from outside the Finance Department

I. Program Guidelines


These guidelines comply with Graduate School rules and regulations and established practices for accelerated BS/MS programs at the university.

  • Twelve credits of graduate work (600-level or 700-level) may apply to both the BS and MS degrees. The 600-level or 700-level courses that students select for this purpose must be approved by their undergraduate faculty advisor, graduate academic advisor, and College of Business Dean’s office.
  • Students must be admitted to the program before graduate courses can be taken.
  • Students begin graduate coursework in the first semester of their 4th year.
  • Students must maintain at least a 3.3 GPA in both BS and MS coursework; anything lower will result in probation with a semester to raise it to 3.3 or above. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the accelerated program to finish the BS degree.
  • Students who do not finish the requirements for the MS will be allowed to finish their BA degree; graduate coursework completed will be allowed to apply to the undergraduate program.
  • The graduate degree culminates in a non-thesis MS degree. Undergraduate credit will not count toward graduate credit coursework.
  • The graduate-level courses will require payment of graduate credit tuition.
  • Program of Study (POS) must be completed after the student’s first semester in the MS program.

View Program Requirements for the Finance, B.S. in Bus. Ad.  

View Program Requirements for the Finance, M.S.  

II. Continuation Requirements


  • The Graduate School requires students to maintain an average GPA of 3.0 in all courses applied to the master’s degree.
  • The College of Business requires all students participating in the accelerated program to maintain a GPA of 3.3 or higher in all courses to be applied to the master’s degree.
  • Students whose undergraduate and graduate GPA drops below 3.3 will be placed on academic probation for the accelerated program for one semester. If they raise their GPA to meet the standards above, they will be removed from probation and returned to good standing.
  • If after one semester, students are not able to raise their GPA sufficiently, they will be removed from the accelerated program. Students who are removed from the accelerated program may continue to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees under the normal requirements.

Financial Impact


Students admitted to the accelerated programs may use their approved 600- and 700-level classes towards their full-time undergraduate status. However, students must pay graduate credit tuition and the associated differential fees for the graduate-level courses. Not all scholarships can be used for graduate credit, but some financial support may be available through the graduate program. Students should consult with the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships regarding financial aid eligibility.