New master of science in finance to begin in fall 2017
The Wayne State University Board of Governors has approved a new master of science in finance (M.S.F.) degree to be offered through the Mike Ilitch School of Business, beginning in fall 2017.
The M.S.F. program is designed for both recent graduates and working professionals with a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or another quantitative field who want to advance or shift their careers. The 10-course, 30-credit degree can be completed in as little as a year of full-time study (fall, spring/summer and winter), or be completed in five semesters on a part-time basis. Students will be equipped with tools, ideas and frameworks to excel in careers in the dynamic field of finance. This program will be delivered by a highly accomplished finance faculty with an excellent reputation.
According to T. Norris Hitchman Endowed Chair and Professor of Finance Sudip Datta, who led the creation of the new degree program, “The fast pace of financial innovation over the last thirty years and the resulting increase in complexity of the global financial system has led to substantial demand for in-depth training in finance.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2018, financial advisor jobs are expected to increase by 30.1 percent, and financial analyst positions by 42 percent. These short-term projections fit within a significant long-term rise in the need for financial professionals.
Students in the Ilitch School’s M.S.F. program will be challenged to approach real-world problems with a practical lens, learning specialized skills applicable to careers in corporate finance, investments and financial analysis. Students can personalize their degrees with elective courses on such topics as corporate valuation, mergers and acquisitions, and futures and options, and will have the opportunity to run a real portfolio through the Student Managed Investment Fund.
The curriculum integrates theories and applications from economics, accounting, mathematics, strategy and other fields, and incorporates a significant portion of the content of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) level 1 exam. The CFA is the most prestigious license in finance and is widely accepted as the industry standard for investment professionals.
When the new Mike Ilitch School of Business building is opened in the District Detroit in 2018, many MSF classes will be held in the planned Trading Room, which will be equipped with state-of-the-art hardware, Bloomberg terminals, access to databases and other software programs to deliver a working knowledge of the tools and techniques used in industry today.
“Our program is rigorous yet flexible, and we look forward to educating leaders who will shape the financial industry,” Datta said.
Prospective students may apply to the M.S.F. program online.
