Finance Specialization
Build your career with cutting-edge financial skills and policy insights.
Program Overview
An MPA-PNP degree with a finance specialization prepares students for successful careers in planning and managing organizational resources across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors.
By blending theoretical insights with practical tools and frameworks, you are equipped with the essential knowledge and experience required to excel. This includes skills in analytical tools, economics, budgeting, financial accounting, capital financing, investment management, debt management, and financial statement analysis.
Unlock Your Potential With a Finance Specialization
Gain expertise to excel in many roles across nonprofit, public, and private sectors.
Whether you're managing budgets, shaping policy, or driving strategic investments, the skills you acquire will open doors to an impactful and rewarding career. Our graduates have gone on to earn roles such as:
- Senior Financial Analyst
- Grants Manager
- Budget Analyst
- Program Auditor
- Senior Analyst, International Public Finance
- Finance & Operations Manager
Skills You'll Gain with a Finance Specialization
Develop a diverse set of skills that enable you to make a difference. Our MPA graduates harness these areas of expertise to tackle real-world challenges with confidence:
Explore economic principles and how they influence financial decisions. You'll analyze market trends, evaluate economic policies, and apply economic theories to real-world scenarios.
Master the art of creating and managing budgets. Learn how to allocate resources efficiently, forecast financial needs, and monitor expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility.
Gain expertise in recording, summarizing, and analyzing financial transactions. You'll become proficient in preparing financial statements and ensuring accuracy in financial reporting.
Discover how to raise and manage capital for organizations. Learn about various financing options, including equity, debt, and alternative sources.
Develop skills to analyze and manage investment portfolios. Learn how to assess investment opportunities, balance risk and return, and implement strategies to meet financial goals.
Learn ways to effectively address debt. Understand how to evaluate debt options, structure deals, and develop plans to manage repayments while maintaining financial health and solvency.
What Our Graduates Say
Justin Houlahan (MPA 2022), Economist at Finance Canada
“The finance specialization at NYU Wagner was pivotal in shaping my career by merging my passion for international relations with a strong foundation in public finance. The program provided me with tools to analyze global economic issues and develop strategic approaches to policy challenges. These are skills I use every day in my current role as an economist working on international policy and analysis for Canada's Department of Finance. Wagner’s focus on practical, real-world applications has been essential in helping me navigate complex issues in public policy and international finance.”
Curriculum Overview
Our 45-credit program includes a blend of foundational courses, specializations, electives, and a capstone project.
This comprehensive curriculum provides you with the critical skills and knowledge needed for leadership in public and nonprofit management and policy.
Learn More About the Curriculum
Program Requirements
Below is an overview of the required coursework for an MPA finance specialization. For detailed information, view the program checksheet.
Students must complete the following core courses:
CORE-GP.1011, Statistical Methods
CORE-GP.1018, Microeconomics
CORE-GP.1020, Management and Leadership
CORE-GP.1021, Financial Management
CORE-GP.1022, Introduction to Public Policy
Students must complete the following specialization courses:
PADM-GP.2140, Public Economics
PADM-GP.2142, Financial Management II
One of the following must be taken; however, participation in both is encouraged:
PADM-GP.2147, Corporate Finance and Public Policy
PADM-GP.2902, Multiple Regression and Introduction to Econometrics
The capstone program, which is a year-long consulting or research project, puts you out in the world to resolve a problem or conduct an analysis for a client organization. All students must complete the following courses in conjunction with their capstone experience.
CAP-GP.3401 & 3402 Capstone: Advanced Projects in Policy, Management, Finance, and Advocacy I & II or CAP-GP 3148 & 3149 Capstone: Advanced Research Projects in Quantitative Analysis I & II
Focus Areas
These are optional clusters of courses designed to guide your elective choices.
Selecting electives within specialized focus areas allows you to deepen your expertise and develop more advanced skills. To gain in-depth knowledge in a focus area, we recommend completing nine credits. Alternatively, you can opt for a broader approach by choosing electives across different focus areas.
The Public Economics and Finance focus area allows students to apply the principles of economics to specific sectors, topics, or issues concerned specifically with resource allocation, generation, and distribution.
The Financial Management focus area allows students to concentrate on planning and controlling organizational resources and is designed to cover both short-term operating and long-term capital financing topics applied to nonprofits, governments, and healthcare organizations.
In addition to the specialized courses mentioned, you have the opportunity to broaden your skills by selecting from a range of offerings, including those from school-wide focus areas or a different specialization. As a finance student, you can consider Cities; Data Science and Management; Philanthropy and Fundraising, and more.
Additional MPA Program Degree Specializations
Why Choose NYU Wagner?
Your chosen MPA program sets the foundation for a successful career in public and nonprofit management and policy. Our interdisciplinary approach, expert faculty, and prime New York City location offer unparalleled learning, growth, and professional development opportunities. Ranked #7 in public finance graduate programs by U.S. News and World Report, NYU Wagner stands out for its commitment to shaping future leaders in public service.
Here’s what sets us apart:
Convenience & Flexibility
Our program offers flexible scheduling for both full-time and part-time students, with start terms available in both the Fall and Spring. Full-time students who begin in the Fall can complete the program in as little as two years. Part-time students typically finish in three to four years.
Distinguished Faculty
Learn from premier scholars in a variety of disciplines, including economics, finance, management, political science, law, planning, and healthcare. These highly-accomplished industry leaders will prepare you to effectively address issues across sectors and policy arenas.
Real-World Experience
A year-long capstone project is the pinnacle of your graduate experience, offering an opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge to real-world challenges. Collaborating with peers and expert faculty mentors, you'll take on pressing issues facing communities both locally and globally.
Tangible Career Outcomes
MPA graduates work in government agencies, nonprofits, international organizations, corporate social responsibility departments, and a multitude of other sectors. That includes organizations such as the American Red Cross, APCO Worldwide, Ernst & Young, Everytown for Gun Safety, NY Green Bank, United Nations, and the U.S. House of Representatives.
Finance Faculty
How to Apply
Ready to take the next step? Explore the application process, admissions criteria, and deadlines for our MPA-PNP Finance Specialization.
Submit your online application, including two essays (with an optional video essay), your resume or curriculum vitae, two letters of recommendation from academic or professional settings, transcripts from colleges or universities, and standardized test scores. You’ll also need to submit the $85 application fee and review any requirements specific to international applicants. To make sure you have everything you need, we created a complete application checklist.
We invite students from all majors and backgrounds to apply who demonstrate aptitude in both quantitative and qualitative coursework, along with strong written and verbal communication skills. We value a deep commitment to public service, whether shown through coursework, work experience, or volunteer efforts, and we encourage career changers to explore our program as well. Our admissions process is focused on identifying candidates with the potential to make a significant impact, regardless of scope, and who appreciate professional experience from all sectors to enrich the learning environment.
While we prefer applicants to have at least two years of relevant professional experience, such as full-time, part-time, internship, or volunteer work, it is not a requirement for admission. Students without two years of full-time, degree-relevant experience will participate in the Professional Experience Requirement (PER) to enhance their understanding of the public service field.
Yes, we offer a number of merit-based scholarships at NYU Wagner. All part-time and full-time students are considered.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Find out detailed information about the cost of attendance, and access resources to finance your education—including federal loan programs and merit-based fellowships, scholarships, and assistantships.
Tuition is calculated on a per-credit basis. Your tuition costs are customized based on the total number of credits you enroll in each term.
Per-Credit Tuition Costs (2024-2025)
| FALL 2024 | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
Tuition per point/credit |
$2,395 |
$2,395 |
$2,395 |
PER-SEMESTER TUITION COSTS (2024-2025)
| Credits | Tuition |
|---|---|
6 credits |
$14,370 |
9 credits |
$21,555 |
12 credits |
$28,740 |
View the tuition and fee calculator at the NYU Bursar's website.
*For Executive Masters students, fees also include a one-time $1,758 EMPA program fee. The program fee will be split across two semesters:
- EXEC-GP 100 = $879 (Fall 2024)
- EXEC-GP 101 = $879 (Spring 2025)
**A typical part-time student enrolls in 6 credits per fall and spring semester each academic year. A typical full-time student enrolls in 12 credits per fall and spring semester each academic year.
|
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
Housing |
$23,588 |
||
Food |
$6,450 |
||
Books |
$1,510 |
||
Transportation |
$2,342 |
||
Personal Expenses |
$3,000 |
||
Student Basic Health Insurance** |
$4,346 |
||
ESTIMATED TOTAL |
$41,236 |
*Please note that these expenses, based on 2024-2025 rates, are discretionary for students and are included here to assist you in planning your budget.
**Based on Basic Plan. For more information on student health insurance options, including premiums, enrollment, and waivers, please visit the NYU Student Health Insurance website.
Most NYU Wagner students fund their studies through a variety of means—private or federal student loans, college work-study, or student employment. You can seek out supplementary funding by applying to external merit-based or need-based scholarship programs that award students pursuing a degree program in public service.
Federal Student Loans
Federal student loan programs offer low-interest student loan options for US Citizens and Permanent Residents. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid. Graduate financial aid programs available to students who study in New York State include:
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
- Federal Grad/Professional Plus Loans
- Federal Work Study
Compare the different types of federal loan programs.
How to Apply
If you are a US Citizen or Permanent Resident and you wish to be considered for need-based federal financial aid, you must complete the current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). List "New York University" as a recipient and include our federal school code number 002785. Deadline: You should submit the FAFSA no later than October 1 for spring-start students or February 1 for fall-start students. While the FAFSA is accepted after these deadlines, late submission will cause a delay in the determination (and notification) of your aid eligibility (but it does not impact the amount of funding for which you are eligibile).
Private Loan Programs
A variety of additional, private (non-federal) alternative loans are also available from individual lending institutions. Please think carefully about your obligations as a borrower before pursuing any educational loan. Consider your educational investment at NYU, as well as your long-term financial commitments when borrowing.
See a reference list of private lenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students with a finance specialization have access to the Financial Access Initiative (FAI), a research center on the NYU campus that focuses on how financial services can better meet the needs and improve the lives of poor households. Studying in a major metropolitan area, such as New York City, also lends itself to networking opportunities with top financial institutions.
Students who pursue an MPA in Finance will take courses centered on microeconomics, public policy, corporate finance, leadership, and more for a well-rounded skill set that can be applied across industries.
Graduates work in a variety of sectors, including government agencies, non-profits, international organizations, and corporate social responsibility departments.