BC MSF vs. BU MSIM

I'm looking into evening graduate programs in the field of finance in Boston, and these two seem to be the best (but please correct me if I'm wrong). I'm in the Air Force right now as a finance officer, so neither is really 100% relevant to my current career field, but I'll be separating a year or so after I finish my master's.

I guess my main concern, then, is which of these programs has more of a chance of opening career doors for me once I part ways with the service.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

edit: links

http://www.bc.edu/schools/csom/graduate/msf.html

http://management.bu.edu/gpo/msim/

BU pushes the CFA thing pretty hard, but without stats on graduate passage rate, I'm uncertain how much of a selling point that is.

 

I would do the BC MSF. Their program has been around longer and I think their school is more respected. I like the BU program, but it really has a narrow focus and is not very transparent with their placement.

 
Best Response

I graduated from the MSIM program recently and think that it is a great program for someone looking to really learn how to manage money. Couple of key points:

1)BU's MSIM focuses on investment management, more so than an BC's MSF program which is general finance composed of MBA electives. MSIM is specialized, advanced investment coursework and training. If you're interested in Investment Management, MSIM is the way to go. The program has been around for 12 years. 2) While it is the first US Grad School selected as a CFA partner, it is a graduate education, not a prep program. It includes 11 courses and 38 credits. In addition to advanced theory, there is a lot of practical experience with live cases, investment research and fund management. Students also learn BARRA, Capital IQ and FactSet. 3) The CFA Institute frowns on advertising pass rates so BU doesn't advertise this. However, I am told over 80% of MSIM alums who have attempted Level I have passed it. There are over 50 alumni who are Charter Holders. I understand that the average total comp of graduates exceeds $150k.

I really enjoyed the program. It is small. So you have plenty of exposure to the profs as well as classmates. The cohort is close knit and the network is very strong. You learn a lot of the CFA curriculum, but also much more. You really learn how to be an analyst and how to pitch your investment ideas to a PM.

 

Both programs are good, with BU being much more directly focused on IM. Personally, I would work in the industry while getting your MSF. The work experience will help you when it comes to recruiting/breaking in.

 
targetkid142:
Which of these two programs place better into AM/IM? I would assume BC based on it being a (relatively) better school, though the BU program is designed specifically FOR AM.

I am most interested in using these programs to get an entry-level equity research position at the likes of Fidelity or other big Boston AM firms, which program gives me a better chance of achieving this goal?

Thanks for the -1, I'm just looking for advice. And yes, I've read every other thread on these programs and am very familiar with all the content on Anthony's MSF site. Really, I would just like some perspective on placement in AM from these programs, especially with how opaque the BU placements are on their site.

 

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