Masters in Finance Programs That Are Less Quantitative/Don't Require a Math/Engineering Degree?
Hi,
So basically, I've been reading a bit more about masters in finance programs and I'm starting to get a little more attracted to them. Here's the thing though: I'm already a junior and I basically have to major in finance/accounting (or else graduate late). Therefore, I'm guessing programs like WUSTL, Princeton, MIT are all out because all of those programs seem very quant-heavy and thus I'd get dinged if I applied. Therefore, I was wondering if there are any other MFin programs that are less quant-heavy that I can apply to that still place well in finance jobs (and that doesn't just mean BB Ibanking/Consulting but even corp finance)? Otherwise, I have a few options:
-
Continue on business path but major in finance (my school has less finance electives) and load up on math whenever I can. Any suggestions on what math classes I should take by the way, assuming I've only taken the bare minimum thus far?
-
Major in accounting, apply only to non-technical programs, hope that I get in and get placed somewhere good.
-
Jump off the finance/accounting wagon completely, graduate late, but get a major in math.
I'm wondering what you guys think is best? Ideally, I'd really, really like to avoid number 3 because I don't want to stay in school for so long, but I'll do whatever is best for my career.
thanks
asdf
look in france
This is wrong.
European masters are generally more quantitative than American ones, not less. And France tends to be the most math-obsessed of all.
Agree. Many of my friends are from Sweden (not France) and always speak about how math and finance classes in the US are so rudimentary and this is still undergrad.
But I believe (as I've also taken some interest in a Masters and have limited quant background as well), that Columbia offers a MS in Econ. which may be less mathematically geared.
complete your major and minor in math...most math minors will cover the pre-reqs for any m.fin program.
Non-quantative MFin/MSF (Originally Posted: 03/02/2010)
I have been looking at Masters-level finance courses in the U.S. My undergrad course (Investment Managment and Econmics major) focused more on stats and theory, so I have little undergrad maths (eg calculus, linear algebra). I noticed that MIT Sloan do not require a rigorous mathematical background for their MFin program; does anyone know of any other such programs?
I'm trying to decide whether I have to spend another year or two undergrad catching up on the maths.....
i can't comment on princeton or mit but i know some traders from the cmu program and its safe to say that you would drown. that program sounds brutally hard.
If you want something that ins't as quantitative then focus your search on MSF degrees. Even with a MSF be prepared for graduate level statistics, probability, calc, etc. I wouldn't really worry about it unless your trying for a MFin degree.
Do a search, the MSF degree has been talked about a lot .
Claremont McKenna actually is pretty quant.
If you want something quant light I would look at Vandy, Villanova, BC, Florida, Purdue, Rochester and maybe Brandeis.
All MSF programs will have an element of stats and math so you have to know some math, but the ones listed above are not overly mathematically focused.
Non-quant/Non-MBA Masters Programs for getting into AM/HF? (Originally Posted: 12/15/2010)
Hello all,
I graduated from a good school with a 3.3 gpa and a lot of EC's, but I majored in Humanities, and I have no work experience in Finance.
I'm looking for a masters program that will land me an entry-level job (or at least an internship that leads to one) at an AM firm or HF (I'm particularly interested in FoF's).
However, it seems like most of the masters programs that I look into are all about math...and I'm not that good at, or interested in, math...
...and there are plenty of roles for highly paid employees in AM/HF that don't require high level math skills, right?
Thank you very much in advance for any help!
Best,
Jim
i don't agree. claremont mckenna seems reasonable. a large portion of the students are from non-technical backgrounds, though there are some with math/engineering backgrounds.
i am in the program, and haven't had to use very much math so far.
there are ones that dont require you to be building quant models but they like quant backgrounds nonetheless... get your cfa unless that is too math-y for ya ;x
+1 on the CFA. Are you still going for the psych PhD or are you switching to the banking strategy instead? :D
Im presently doing a Masters in Management at a Top5 EU school, pm me if you want details on that.
Since youre from a humanities background (im not sure what that entails) a MiM will give you good core business knowledge without being too 'mathy'.
shorttheworld - i'll do some research on the CFA and get back to you.
illini - weighing several options right now, lol.
zeropower - thanks, i'll take you up on that.
MIT program is not quant as you may think. You take courses from the Sloan school as other MBA students.
european MSc finance programs are just as quantitative, if not more quantitative, than their american counterparts....
they may not require a quant undergrad degree, but you better believe they are preferred and you wont be admitted if you are unable to show an adequate level of numerical proficiency
so what exactly is keeping you from applying directly to jobs in finance out of undergrad as opposed to getting a masters in finance? you can start earning sooner, dont hafta pay another year of tuition, and youll likely end up in the same position whether you go directly from undergrad or take another year for the MSF. and since youre on track for a degree in finance already, i feel like it would add very little to your skill-set (not to mention, employers train you for what you need to know/do anyway). so why exactly are you drawn to the degree over employment immediately after you graduate?
I go to a non-target and have had very little success thus far in my networking efforts (still trying though!) which means that breaking into a banking/consulting job off the bat will be very difficult. Hence, I'd look to the MS in Finance to re-brand myself, add some more quant skills, and perhaps get another shot of recruiting in a (hopefully!) better economy. That's my logic, although I guess I can look into masters in accounting or other programs to re-brand.
Btw, although I have no clue why I deserved one for asking a question, thanks to whoever gave me a silver banana lol.
Don't look in France. Math is everything over there.
Let me say this, if you have had no luck networking or getting relevant experience please take a very hard look at your efforts so far and see if the problem is on your end. I know too many people who try and use the MSF for another shot at recruiting only to see them do no networking or put any effort in and end up in the same spot as before, but with another degree and more debt. Networking truly is a full time job and you need to work hard at it. Rebranding is a great idea and can work wonders, but you need to make sure you know how to network first.
you need to take that comment and slap it across the front page of this website.
AGREE 100%.
I have most of the Euro programs listed on my website. Take a look there. Euro programs tend to be more academic than US ones which typically means more math and more research focused.
http://www.masters-rms.com/en/index.html
http://www.hec.edu/MSc/Programs/MSc-in-Finance
http://www.escpeurope.eu/escp-europe-programmes/full-time-specialized-m…
http://www.essec.edu/programs/advanced-masters-programs/adavanced-maste…
http://msc-finance.edhec.com/jsp/fiche_pagelibre.jsp?CODE=03960401&LANG…
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