The Master of Science in Financial Economics (MSFE) is designed as a terminal, professional degree in financial economics. The curriculum includes courses in the key areas of finance and the supporting areas of economics and quantitative methods. It is intended to prepare students for a wide range of careers both within and outside the financial industry, including risk management, asset management, macroeconomic and financial forecasting, trading, and financial and economic research.

Not currently offered for initial application. Admission to the MSFE program is only available via transfer from the MFE program with Department Head approval.

Why an MSFE at Utah State University?

The MSFE is offered by the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business through the Department of Economics and Finance.

Faculty: Since the fall of 2009 the department has hired many new faculty members. A number of these individuals have extensive training in finance or financial-macroeconomics and are producing cutting-edge research in these areas. The faculty includes several members with a CFA. See http://www.huntsman.usu.edu/economicsandfinance/htm/faculty-and-staff for additional information about individual members of our faculty.
CFA: The MSFE curriculum is designed to help students pass the first CFA exam (i.e., Level I exam) at the end of their second semester in the program. The CFA is the most internationally recognized and credible credential for financial professionals and is earned by passing a series of analytically rigorous exams.
Bloomberg Terminals and Training: Bloomberg is synonymous with real-time financial information. Every major financial institution hosts Bloomberg terminals. Due to the expense, however, very few universities provide access to Bloomberg. The Department of Economics and Finance at the Huntsman School of Business is one of these select few. These terminals not only support classroom instruction and faculty research but provide a means for students to become certified in the use of Bloomberg – a skill that provides value to future employers on day one of your professional career.
A Research Portfolio: The MSFE program includes the requirement that each student complete a Plan B paper. It is a little unusual for a professional master’s degree to require a Plan B paper, but we think it is important for students to demonstrate that they have the creativity, discipline, and analytical ability necessary to complete such a project. Students will receive guidance as they write their papers through a faculty committee formed specifically for this purpose. The ideal student will have passed the Level 1 CFA exam, be Bloomberg certified, and have completed a Plan B paper by the time they enter the job market with their freshly minted master’s in financial economics from the Huntsman School of Business.
Opportunity to help manage real money: Students will make asset allocation, trading, risk management, and credit decisions over the two semesters of the program under the direction of a faculty member who is an experienced financial professional. This valuable experiential learning will help you apply what you learn and allow you to stand out in the marketplace.

FIEC_MS - Financial Economics - MS

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Program Overview

Program Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes