The Berkeley Haas Finance program is consistently ranked among the best in the world, providing rigorous academic training from top faculty, while being firmly grounded in real-world applications.
An emphasis in finance prepares you to pursue a career in:
Entering the field of Investment Banking as an MBA typically means becoming an Associate at an investment bank in a global financial center such as New York, London, Hong Kong, Frankfurt or Tokyo or in a center such as San Francisco or Silicon Valley, often focusing on specific client industries such as Technology or Healthcare/Biotech. As an Associate, you will perform valuation analyses related to mergers & acquisitions and initial public offerings, as well as assist in the structuring of financings related to M&A and leveraged buyout transactions in part by developing various scenarios and sensitivities through M&A and LBO models. You need a strong background in finance and accounting, as well as negotiation and communication skills.
Recommended electives:
- MBA 222 Financial Information Analysis
- MBA 231 Corporate Finance
- MBA 236E Mergers & Acquisitions
- MBA 236H Financial Statement Modeling for Finance Careers
- MBA 236L Private Equity: Leveraged Buyouts
- MBA 252 Negotiations & Conflict Resolution
Speaker series:
- MBA 294 Investment Management Speaker Series
- MBA 294 Private Equity Speaker Series
Helpful electives:
- MBA 211 Game Theory
- MBA 223 Corporate Financial Reporting
- MBA 224A Managerial Accounting
- MBA 236B Investment Strategies & Styles
- MBA 236F Behavioral Finance
- MBA 236I Fixed Income
- MBA 237 Fin Tech
- MBA 240 Decision Models
- MBA 280 Real Estate Investment & Market Analysis (Applied Innovation course)
- MBA 283 Real Estate Finance & Securitization
- MBA 292I Socially Responsible Investing
- MBA 295B Venture Capital & Private Equity
(Please note that the elective courses listed above are not necessarily offered every semester or every year.)
Investment managers work for hedge funds, mutual funds, pension funds or even large corporations that manage their own assets. In addition to these primary roles, investment professionals within government organizations and corporations will often allocate funds to external fund managers and must be able to evaluate their performance.
Recommended electives:
- MBA 222 Financial Information Analysis
- MBA 236B Investment Strategies & Styles
- MBA 236H Financial Statement Modeling for Finance Careers
- MBA 236I Fixed Income
- MBA 237 Haas Investment Fund (Applied Innovation course)
- MBA 292T Haas Sustainable Investment Fund (Applied Innovation course)
- MBA 292N Impact Investing Practicum
Speaker series:
- MBA 294 Investment Management Speaker Series
- MBA 294 Private Equity Speaker Series
Helpful electives:
- MBA 231 Corporate Finance
- MBA 236F Behavioral Finance
- MBA 237 Fin Tech
- MBA 240 Decision Models
- MBA 280 Real Estate Investment & Market Analysis (Applied Innovation course)
- MBA 283 Real Estate Finance & Securitization
- MBA 292I Socially Responsible Investing
(Please note that the elective courses listed above are not necessarily offered every semester or every year.)
A career in venture capital requires many of the same skills as a career in Investment Banking, but with the added requirement of familiarity with entrepreneurship and the needs of entrepreneurs. A career in private equity favors those with investment banking backgrounds, so similar skills are required. Additionally, private equity firms seek solid familiarity specifically with private equity transactions.
Recommended electives:
- MBA 222 Financial Information Analysis
- MBA 231 Corporate Finance
- MBA 236E Mergers & Acquisitions
- MBA 236H Financial Statement Modeling for Finance Careers
- MBA 236L Private Equity: Leveraged Buyouts
- MBA 236V New Venture Finance
- MBA 252 Negotiations & Conflict Resolution
- MBA 295A Entrepreneurship
- MBA 295B Venture Capital & Private Equity
Speaker series:
- MBA 294 Venture Capital Speaker Series
- MBA 294 Investment Management Speaker Series
- MBA 294 Private Equity Speaker Series
Helpful electives:
- MBA 211 Game Theory
- MBA 223 Corporate Financial Reporting
- MBA 224A Managerial Accounting
- MBA 237 Behavioral Finance
- MBA 280 Real Estate Investment & Market Analysis (Applied Innovation course)
- MBA 283 Real Estate Finance & Securitization
(Please note that the elective courses listed above are not necessarily offered every semester or every year.)
This career path involves working in a company’s Treasury, Business Planning, or Corporate Finance unit. Typical assignments include analyzing investment opportunities, evaluating acquisition targets and alternative financing sources, managing liquid assets and foreign exchange risk, and working with financial institutions to raise capital.
Recommended electives:
- MBA 223 Corporate Financial Reporting
- MBA 224A Managerial Accounting
- MBA 231 Corporate Finance
- MBA 236E Mergers & Acquisitions
- MBA 236H Financial Statement Modeling for Finance Careers
Speaker series:
- MBA 294 Investment Management Speaker Series
- MBA 294 Private Equity Speaker Series
Helpful electives:
- MBA 222 Financial Information Analysis
- MBA 236F Behavioral Finance
- MBA 236V New Venture Finance
- MBA 236I Fixed Income
- MBA 237 Haas Investment Fund (Applied Innovation course)
- MBA 237 Fin Tech
- MBA 280 Real Estate Investment & Market Analysis (Applied Innovation course)
- MBA 283 Real Estate Finance & Securitization
(Please note that the elective courses listed above are not necessarily offered every semester or every year.)
A career in sales and trading involves selling and/or trading securities, derivatives, and other complex securities. You need an understanding of the securities themselves, their markets, and the tools used to evaluate them, along with sales and negotiation skills.
Recommended electives:
- MBA 236F Behavioral Finance
- MBA 236I Fixed Income
- MBA 236H Financial Statement Modeling for Finance Careers
- MBA 240 Decision Models
Speaker series:
- MBA 294 Investment Management Speaker Series
- MBA 294 Private Equity Speaker Series
Helpful electives:
- MBA 231 Corporate Finance
- MBA 236B Investment Strategies & Styles
- MBA 252 Negotiations & Conflict Resolution
- MBA 280 Real Estate Investment & Market Analysis (Applied Innovation course)
- MBA 283 Real Estate Finance & Securitization
(Please note that the elective courses listed above are not necessarily offered every semester or every year.)
Related activities:
- Finance Club
- Investment Club
- Private Equity Club
- Finance Conference
- Case competitions