This course is an intensive, experiential-learning opportunity focused on honing students’ leadership and decision-making in the kinds of uncertain, dynamic, and complex environments facing modern organizations. Centered around a multi-day “leadership challenge” simulation, students will be thrust into a developing crisis scenario and work in multidisciplinary teams to deliver an innovative solution while experiencing first-hand the challenges of adapting leadership to a dynamic, evolving environment where little is certain. This high-impact experience allows students to focus on developing their empathy, competence, and agility as they are asked to meet the needs of different stakeholders and address tensions and trade-offs that arise during the challenge. 

Students reflect on this experience and walk away with strategies for their own leadership in uncertain times.

There are two main differences: 1. program duration, and 2. how many classes are taken each term. The 12-month program includes in-person coursework in the fall, spring, and summer. Classes are completed in late July and the conferral date (date on your diploma) is in August. For students starting in the 12-month program in Fall 2025, the conferral date will be August 28, 2026The 15-month program includes fall and spring coursework, with no summer coursework, followed by additional fall coursework. Classes are completed, and the conferral date is in December. For students starting in the 15-month program in Fall 2025 the conferral date will be December 30, 2026. Tentative sample program plans with course sequence and credit load per term are shown below:

12-month program

15-month program

*This is a sample program plan that is subject to change.

Yes, all three program formats are STEM designated.

Yes, the 9-, 12-, and 15-month programs have the same curriculum that includes the CFA Institute’s Candidate Body of Knowledge, preparing you to sit for the CFA exams.

The 9- and 12-month versions of the program are each taught at both of our locations. The 15-month version is only offered in D.C. You must submit an application to one version of the program at one location. You may not apply to multiple versions of multiple locations at the same time.

The 15-month program is ideal for those who plan to use the summer to gain practical experience rather than taking Carey courses. This may include participating in consulting projects with community businesses, joining travel-based leadership courses, or applying for summer internship programs or summer full-time employment. International students should contact the Office of International Services to check full- or part-time work eligibility based on visa status.

This track is also ideal for students seeking a lighter course load per term. A lighter course load increases capacity to attend co-curricular programming, participate in faculty research, and/or engage with the local community.

The 12-month program is ideal for those looking to gain a master’s degree in one year to enter the job force right away. This program is also ideal for those looking to pursue a second degree at Carey, obtaining two master's degrees in two years. 

The 9-month program is ideal for international students looking to enter the workforce quickly. The 9-month format aligns with major employment cycles in the United States and abroad, helping you transition into career and leadership opportunities without delay.

No, there are no practicum or internship electives in the 12- or 15-month curriculum.

Note: 15-month program International students who apply and are approved for CPT will be enrolled in a zero credit course titled BU.001.600 Graduate Internship Project. For more information on CPT, please visit: https://ois.jhu.edu/Students/Current_F1_Students/F-1_Training_and_Employment/Curricular_Practical_Training/index.html.

Students accepted to the 12-month program can request a deferral to the following year, but they can only defer to the 12-month version of the program. If interested in the 15-month program the following year, students must reapply.

Students accepted to the 15-month program can request a deferral to the following year, but they can only defer to the 15-month version of the program. If interested in the 12-month program the following year, students must reapply.

Yes, students in both programs may be in some of the same sections of classes in fall and spring.

Full-time Master of Science students are required to attend classes in-person in fall, spring, and summer terms. Students who receive a full-time job offer related to their studies beginning in June or July (their final summer term) can provide that job offer to the Programs leadership team to request the ability to take summer classes remotely (synchronous online, meaning on a certain day of the week and at a certain time via Zoom live) in order to be able to accept that job offer. Requests will be denied for part-time or internship work. Requests are approved rarely, and only when there is space and capacity to do so. Students with a job offer are not guaranteed virtual classes in the summer term, and we highly recommend all students plan to be in-person for their summer courses. In the past, students have struggled to balance the rigorous full-time coursework with full-time employment. Only students in good academic standing will have requests reviewed. International students should contact the JHU Office of International Services at OIS@jhu.edu to determine eligibility to work in the United States based on their visa.

The 15-month program is solely in-person. There is no option to be online.

As this is the first year we are piloting the 15-month course sequence, we don’t know how many applications we will receive. There are fewer seats in the 15-month program as we are piloting the new course sequence, but the curriculum is the same. Students cannot apply for more than one version of the program at a time.

Your diploma will show program name as MS in Finance, whether you take the 12- or 15-month program. The only difference for the 15-month program is that your transcript will show courses taken across two academic years and the program name on transcript will indicate the 15-month program.

Yes, class sizes are the same. Class sizes at Carey vary from 28-60.

The 12-month program students graduate in August (Conferral date in late August). For students starting in the 12-month program in Fall 2025, the conferral date will be August  28, 2026. The 15-month program students graduate in December (Conferral date in late December). For students starting in the 15-month program in Fall  2025, the conferral date will be December  21, 2026. There is one graduation ceremony in May each year. Students who graduate in the 12- and 15-month program can participate in the May ceremony prior to or after program completion.