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 Finance (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:
- Analyze the finances of a company to write original research reports about potential investments
- Hold a position on the management team or work your way to a leadership role
- Present investment recommendations to a panel of your peers
- Participate in a lively debate on the merits of each presentation
- Make investment decisions with real-world implications
In speaking about her experience with the 360 Huntington Fund, Yifei Li, ‘19 said: “When I learned about the 360 Huntington Fund, that it was real and that we would have actual responsibility buying stocks, I knew I wanted to do it.”
“When I told my friends that you can actually run a real fund here, they couldn’t believe it. They had never had that opportunity themselves. It’s a really attractive part of the program and gives you experience in investments that a book can’t teach you.”
The Shanghai native attributes the hands-on experience to transforming her skill set. She learned to choose stocks based on analyzing companies’ financial data and seeking new investment opportunities by paying attention to industry news. “But the bigger impact was that I learned to express my ideas independently and clearly in public,” she says.
“This experience taught me to be a more critical thinker, and now I pay more attention to logic and feasibility when I’m solving problems. I think everyone pursuing an MS in Finance should join the fund — it’s an amazing opportunity.”
Producing financial experts who are ahead of the curve
Developed in partnership with leading financial services companies, the MS in Finance (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. You can complete the MS in Finance (Quantitative Finance) degree in 12 to 16 months of full-time study.
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 Finance (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 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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