A career in finance can take you almost anywhere you want to go. The fast pace and complex decision-making make the work endlessly exciting and rewarding. As advances in technology and the rise of fintech continue to transform the finance industry, now is the time to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become the kind of leader companies can’t afford to do without.
Today’s employers need qualified financial experts equipped to make the right decisions in this evolving world. New positions require both quantitative and technical skills on top of financial expertise. Deep finance knowledge coupled with computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, and econometrics can open doors. In a competitive job market, you also need skills that go beyond the classroom, experience in solving real-world challenges will make you an asset to any organization.
This is where Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business stands out. Their STEM-designated MS in Quantitative Finance program instills the financial knowledge and the technical and analytical expertise you need to thrive in the rapidly changing financial services industry. This program goes beyond classroom instruction and academic thinking. At Northeastern, they know authentic, experience-powered learning is ultimately the key to preparing you to meet the shifting demands of today’s business world.
Where experience is at the heart of the curriculum
Experience-powered learning is the opportunity to dive headfirst into experiences that give you fresh perspective and in-demand skills. As an MS in Finance (Quantitative Finance) student, you’ll have the opportunity to join the management team of an actual mutual fund in Northeastern’s endowment called the 360 Huntington Fund.
No matter what your experience level, you’ll learn invaluable skills in an environment that no simulated fund exercise could match. As a member of the team, you will:
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Analyze the finances of a company to write original research reports about potential investments
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Hold a position on the management team or work your way to a leadership role
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Present investment recommendations to a panel of your peers
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Participate in a lively debate on the merits of each presentation
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Make investment decisions with real-world implications
Touching on his time with the 360 Huntington Fund, Pujan Patel, MS in Quantitative Finance ‘25, said, “My experience with the 360 Huntington Fund has been transformative. Coming in with no prior investment background, I quickly found the Fund’s ‘learning by doing’ approach, which balanced guidance with independence, invaluable.”
Pujan Patel. Source: Northeastern University
“This opportunity to help manage a real investment fund gave me practical insight into portfolio management and decision-making. I know these will be invaluable as I move forward in my career.”
Patel recounts how the fund provided students with opportunities that went far beyond the classroom. Such as the Global Asset Management Education (GAME) Forum in New York, where four students are selected to represent the school at this competition each year. In fact, D’Amore-McKim won in both 2023 and 2024. “The experience offered vital industry networking and helped shape my career aspirations,” he says.
“Through my classes, mentorship from professors, and especially my experience with the 360 Huntington Fund, I discovered my passion for quantitative trading and research.”
Producing financial experts who are ahead of the curve
Developed in partnership with leading financial services companies, the MS in Quantitative Finance’s innovative curriculum integrates finance with other disciplines, such as economics, mathematics, and computer science, to offer students the interdisciplinary expertise essential to excel.
The program can help you develop the necessary expertise in finance, along with the creative and entrepreneurial mindset, needed to navigate the modern financial landscape within a short timeframe. With full-time study, you can complete the MS in Quantitative Finance degree in as few as 12 months, or you can extend your studies to 16 months by taking a summer break or by participating in D’Amore-McKim’s Community Impact Initiative— helping an organization achieve its goals while enhancing your resumé.
Since the program is STEM-designated, you can apply for work eligibility in the US for up to 36 months — via Optional Practical Training — upon graduating. You’ll also have the option to enjoy real-world work experience by participating in the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) as an internship on a full-time or part-time basis. Your employment will be related to your area of study.
Ultimately, the MS in Quantitative Finance program will keep evolving in line with what is relevant in the industry.
Associate Professor of Finance Shiawee Yang notes, “Over the last 30 years, our MS in Quantitative Finance program has helped countless D’Amore-McKim students reach their personal and professional goals. Many of our graduates have gone on to attain executive- level positions and earn PhDs. The best part? We’re just getting started.”
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