03/11/26 — The BOT committee presented the Muma College of Business鈥檚 proposal for a bachelor鈥檚 degree in fintech, or financial technology, to be implemented this fall. The master鈥檚 fintech program was introduced in fall 2025.
Specialize in financial technology
The STEM-designated MS Fintech program aligns with the growing demand for Fintech professionals. This innovative program provides students with the technical, analytical, and financial expertise needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving Fintech industry.
With a curriculum designed to integrate programming, big data analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and advanced finance, students gain practical skills essential for financial technology, digital assets, and computational finance.
By emphasizing transdisciplinary collaboration and real-world applications, MS Fintech prepares students to drive innovation in financial technology, addressing the needs of global markets, emerging financial ecosystems, and regulatory frameworks.

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Curriculum
The Master of Science in Fintech program offers students an advanced curriculum with cutting-edge courses in financial technology. This is a 30-credit-hour program with curriculum that includes courses in quantitative analytics, payment technologies, innovation and more, culminating with a capstone project.
Career Outcomes
MS in Fintech prepares graduates for impactful careers in the expanding fintech industry. Through rigorous training in STEM, computational thinking, and digital skills, this program equips individuals to excel in diverse roles across finance, technology, and regulation, including investment firms, banks, startups, and government agencies.
Chat with Students
Advisory Board
Chair

Kemal Kvakic
VP & IT Head of Innovation, Raymond James Financial
Kemal Kvakic is Vice President and IT Head of Innovation at Raymond James Financial,
where he leads technology strategy and innovation initiatives. As Chair of the FinTech
Advisory Board, he brings over 20 years of experience in digital transformation, emerging
technologies, and building scalable solutions that drive business growth. He is passionate
about developing collaborative teams that bring innovative ideas to life.
Board Members

Alexei Chirokikh
Chief Technology Officer, Waterfall Bank
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Alexei Chirokikh is Chief Technology Officer at Waterfall Bank, where he leads technology strategy, digital platform architecture, and innovation initiatives. With over 20 years of global experience, he specializes in digital transformation, modern banking systems, AI-driven solutions, and enterprise architecture. His career spans leadership roles across major financial institutions and technology organizations, where he has driven large-scale platform modernization and next-generation financial infrastructure.

Jeremy Dobes
VP of Finance 鈥 Product Profitability, Velera
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Jeremy Dobes is Vice President of Finance 鈥 Product Profitability at Velera, where he leads financial strategy and profitability initiatives across payment networks and fintech platforms. His expertise includes financial analysis, payments infrastructure, and operational performance, supporting organizations in driving growth and making data-informed decisions.

Dolores (Dee) Garcia
Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships, Tampa Bay Wave
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Dolores 鈥淒ee鈥 Garcia is Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships at Tampa Bay Wave, where she drives revenue growth and builds strategic partnerships. With a background in commercial banking and corporate training, she focuses on supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and the growth of the regional tech ecosystem.

Owen LaFave
Market President, The Bank of Tampa
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Owen LaFave serves as Market President for The Bank of Tampa, leading strategic growth and commercial banking initiatives in Pinellas County. With more than 20 years of experience in the Tampa Bay area, he focuses on real estate banking, business development, and strengthening relationships within the local business community.

Leslie Norman
Chief Technology Officer, Dynasty Financial Partners
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Leslie Norman serves as Chief Technology Officer at Dynasty Financial Partners, where she leads product, engineering, cybersecurity, and IT strategy. She focuses on building integrated, data-driven platforms that empower financial advisors and enhance client experiences. Her work centers on simplifying complex systems and delivering scalable technology solutions across the financial services ecosystem.

Amanda Reineke
CEO & Co-Founder, Notice Ninja
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Amanda Reineke is the CEO and co-founder of Notice Ninja, a tax and compliance technology company transforming how organizations manage tax notices and regulatory workflows. With a background in payroll and compliance operations, she focuses on leveraging AI and automation to modernize complex financial processes and improve operational efficiency for enterprise organizations.

Teresa Watkins
Chief Operations Officer, Green Dot
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Teresa Watkins serves as Chief Operations Officer, overseeing global payment operations, including processing, fraud, disputes, and customer experience. She leads large-scale teams supporting millions of users and brings deep expertise in operational transformation, payment systems, and financial services infrastructure.

Mike Comey
VP, Global Advisory Delivery, J.P. Morgan Payments
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Mike Comey is Vice President of Global Advisory Delivery at J.P. Morgan Payments, where he helps corporate clients optimize treasury and financial operations. He brings extensive experience in payments, data analytics, and digital transformation, supporting organizations in improving efficiency and driving strategic outcomes.

Priya D. Dozier
Assistant Professor, 糖心Vlog
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Priya D. Dozier is an assistant professor at the 糖心Vlog with nearly 20 years of experience in fintech and financial services. Her background spans product development, innovation, and business analysis, and her research focuses on the intersection of technology, decision-making, and organizational performance.

Eric Kraus
Head of Products & Services, FIS
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Eric Kraus is Head of Products and Services at FIS, where he leads fraud, risk, dispute management, and data solutions. With over 25 years of experience in financial services, he focuses on financial crime prevention, regulatory compliance, and analytics. His work supports financial institutions in protecting assets while optimizing performance and customer relationships.

Mbaluka Mutinda
CEO & Co-Founder, DUKAPAQ
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Mbaluka Mutinda is the CEO and co-founder of DUKAPAQ, a point-of-sale platform providing modern payment and commerce tools for small businesses. With over 11 years of experience in the POS industry, he is focused on expanding access to payment technology for underserved merchants. His work centers on helping businesses accept payments, streamline operations, and scale through simple, accessible solutions.

Amee Parekh
CEO, Stello AI
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Amee Parekh is CEO of Stello AI, an HR technology company focused on AI-driven compensation planning. She previously held senior leadership roles at Uber, Expedia, and Hims & Hers, where she led global HR strategy, talent development, and organizational growth, bringing deep expertise in scaling high-growth organizations.

Rosa Shores
CEO & Co-Founder, BlockSpaces
view bio
Rosa Shores is the CEO and co-founder of BlockSpaces, a financial infrastructure company building systems for Bitcoin-backed financial products. Active in the blockchain space since 2012, she focuses on developing institutional-grade solutions that align digital asset infrastructure with traditional financial systems and standards.
Application
How do I apply for this program?
Apply using the .
What are the application requirements?
Specific requirements will be available when the 2025-26 catalog is published in June 2025.
What are the application deadlines?
What if my application is late by a few days after the deadline?
The application will be available until the university deadline. After the deadline, prospective students may apply for the next available term and then contact the Graduate Office to request that the application be considered for the previous term. Acceptance is not guaranteed, but staff will do everything possible to consider applications for the first-choice term.
Can I send my application information to the school for an evaluation before I apply?
The assistant director and academic director of the program welcome queries but cannot review application materials and 'pre-admit' students to the program before the complete application is submitted and reviewed by the admissions committee.
What is the minimum accepted GMAT/GRE score?
To be considered for admission, the minimum GMAT score is 550 (or equivalent GRE score). Applicants with lower GMAT or GRE scores may be admitted if the application as a whole convinces the committee that the applicant warrants an admission to the major.
I took the GMAT/GRE a few years ago. Will I have to re-take the test?
GMAT/GRE scores are only valid for five years.
Can I get the GMAT/GRE requirements waived?
To request consideration for a GMAT/GRE waiver, students must meet one of two options and upload the appropriate form to their application:
- GPA waivers will be considered from applicants with a cumulative undergraduate or graduate GPA of 3.5 or higher from an accredited graduate-level institution (or international equivalent as demonstrated by an accredited foreign credentials evaluation agency).
- CFA waivers will be considered for applicants who passed Level 1 of the CFA exam as evidenced by an attached letter from the CFA Institute.
Do I need to take the TOEFL? What is the minimum score?
International applicants from non-English speaking countries or who have not earned a degree from an English speaking country must provide proof of English proficiency. View academic requirements
What code do I use to send test scores to 糖心Vlog?
The institution code for 糖心Vlog is 5828 and applies to all tests administered by ETS (GRE and TOEFL). For the GMAT, the school/program code is VP9-M4-86.
Are there any special application instructions?
All documents must be in a pdf format and attach them to the online application (do not send any hard copy documents). Once an admissions decision is made the 糖心Vlog Office of Graduate Studies will contact applicants for any required hard copies. Questions about the online application process should be directed to Graduate Admissions.
How does the application process work?
Applications are accepted by the 糖心Vlog Office of Admissions and are sent to the school for evaluation when the required documents have been attached to the online application. It's best not to submit your application until you have all documents ready. Once the applications are complete and the application fee paid, they are evaluated by the Muma College of Business as well as the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance and finally by the Office of Admissions who will contact you with an admission decision. This can take a few weeks to more than a month, depending on the number of applications received.
How can I check my application status?
Applicants may . Note that if the status reads that an application has been 'referred' to the school, this just means it has left the Office of Admissions. It is reviewed by several other departments before a final admission decision is made.
I have questions about the online application, who should I contact?
Below are some common application questions. If you have other queries concerning the online application and required documents, they can be directed to the Graduate Studies Academic Program Specialist Le鈥橲helle Davis.
- What should I do if my GPA is not scored out of 4.0 points? Just estimate your GPA; staff evaluate transcripts and review grades.
- My credits are calculated differently, as I am an international student - what should I enter? Just estimate! Staff will not look at this field for international students.
- The application asks about a certification, do I need this? This refers to College of Education graduate students only. Our program does not require a certification.
- The Office of Graduate Studies websites mention sending hard copies. Should I do this? Please attach all required documents as PDFs to with the online application. Do not send any hard copies until after an admissions decision has been made.
Admissions
Can I defer my admission if necessary?
Applicants can request a deferment of up to one year by contacting Academic Services Administrator Stacee Bender.
I just got admitted. What do I do next?
The program advisor will provide registration instructions once admissions have been finalized. In the meantime, applicants should complete any other requirements that are outstanding with the university such as immunizations, immigration, etc.
Can I transfer from another university's master's program?
Students who are interested in transferring to 糖心Vlog should apply using the same process as all other graduate applicants. If admitted, courses completed at another AACSB accredited school can be considered for transfer if the course is deemed to be equivalent and applicable to 糖心Vlog's degree program. Only grades of B or better are transferable.
Program
How long will it take to complete my degree requirements? Can I complete the program in one year?
The program requires 30 credit hours of coursework and may be taken either full-time or part-time. 糖心Vlog course offerings are scheduled such that interested full-time students who have already taken all required prerequisites and are willing to take the required course load can complete the program in a year or less (fall and spring, or fall, spring and summer) of study. Part-time students can finish in six (or fewer) semesters.
Can I complete the program online?
No. This on-campus program includes a combination of on-campus and online coursework.
What courses are included in the MS in Fintech program?
This is a 30-credit-hour program with curriculum that includes courses in quantitative
analytics, payment technologies, innovation and more, culminating with a capstone
project. Specific course requirements will be available when the 2025-26 catalog is
published in June 2025.
How many classes do students take each semester?
Students may choose to take any number of classes each semester, subject only to scheduling constraints. We however recommend that full-time students take three or four courses (9-12 credit hours) every semester. International student are required to carry at least nine credits in order to maintain their immigration status (except for summer and graduating semester). Students working full-time often choose to take fewer classes each semester to balance work and study.
Can students focus their electives on a specific career track?
Yes, finance and supporting business electives can be selected to prepare for a variety of career tracks including financial analyst, financial planner, and financial researcher.
Finances
How much will the program cost?
Florida has one of the lowest costs nationwide of completing an academic degree. Total estimated program costs can be found on the Tuition and Fees page.
Are there any scholarships or graduate assistant positions available?
Scholarship information can be found at the .
Are there part-time jobs available on campus?
Yes, these positions exist, though they become available on an irregular basis. Our graduate students have received part-time positions including TA positions.
May I use tuition waivers for the MS Fintech program?
Tuition waivers may not be used in this program.
International Students
Can I get practical training while in the program?
Co-Curricular Practical Training has very specific requirements. Students in the MS Financial Analytics program may participate in an internship but would need to register for an internship course. The MS Financial Analytics program is STEM designated and therefore students can apply for Optional Practical Training for up to 36 months.
I'm an international student, where can I get help on the documents needed to attend 糖心Vlog?
Information for international students can be found at the Admissions Information for International Students website and the .
I have never traveled abroad before. What resources are available to make my initial arrival comfortable when I reach 糖心Vlog?
Following the American spirit of self-help, many student organizations on campus do their best to make your arrival and early days as pleasant as possible. Examples include the , a faith-based organization.
