Opening countless doors in the finance field

To future-proof your career, choose a qualification that is as versatile as it is profitable – such as the Master of Science (MS) in Finance from Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business. This program is designed to accelerate careers in not only the timeless fields of finance, asset management, investment banking and corporate financial planning, but also computer finance, securities, risk analysis and various other 21st century sectors.

The best part? With an undergraduate business degree, preparation requires only one year of study, making this accelerated, 30-credit-hour program a suitable choice for those eager to quickly impress employers and secure the leadership role they desire. Those with more specific career goals in mind will be pleased to know that there are three specializations to choose from: corporate financial planning and analysis, securities and markets or data analysis in finance.

One of the three will be accompanied by a strategically curated set of required courses. The basics are covered in the Financial Management course, which teaches the correct use of quantitative methods. “It uses Harvard Business Review case studies to illustrate contemporary financial practice,” explains Dr. David Burnie, professor of finance and head of the MS in Finance programme.

“This course introduces the Bloomberg terminal and selected Microsoft Excel add-ins for financial modeling to extend analysis of real business scenarios. For example, one case examines how a Monte Carlo simulation provides insight into the trade-off theory of capital structure. Another case examines an initial public offering for the company Snap, with financial modeling to estimate the theoretical value of Snap Inc.

Dr David Burnie’s research covers the valuation of debt securities, IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, rights, options, dividend reinvestment plans, buybacks and more. Source: Western Michigan University

Meanwhile, the Global Financial Markets and Institutions course covers contemporary issues in money, capital and foreign exchange markets, multinational financial management, financial instruments and intermediaries in a global context. The Corporate Financial Restructuring course teaches students about quantitative analysis and evaluation of the financial aspects of various corporate restructuring strategies such as bankruptcy-reorganization, divestitures, leveraged buyouts, spin-offs, spin-offs, and mergers and acquisitions.

The remainder of the program consists of structured topics in Financial Strategy, Financial Operations, Financial Econometrics and Forecasting, Financial Modeling, Equity Analysis, Fixed Income Analysis, Derivatives and Risk Management, and Financial Data Analysis.

“The courses in the program are designed to focus on specific aspects of finance rather than covering every finance course from a broad perspective,” says Dr. Burnie. “They build on each other and give students composite knowledge of financial applications and practices.”

Industry insights are included throughout the program as well as access to state-of-the-art facilities designed to give students a competitive edge. For example, MS in Finance courses are offered in the Greenleaf Trust Trading Room, which mimics a Wall Street trading environment. Here, students are taught to use the Bloomberg terminal to research market movements in real time and immerse themselves in the same technology used by investment professionals. In the Sanford Center for Financial Planning and Wellness, students access resources and programming related to both financial literacy and personal financial planning.

The MS in Finance is STEM designated, meaning it can offer international students up to 24 additional months of professional training in the US. Source: Western Michigan University

Students gain access to databases such as Compustat, Center for Research in Security Pricing, and ExecuComp—all of which are available through Wharton Research Data Services. They will also be able to examine Refinitiv sources for merger and acquisition data.

These and more are in place to ensure that MS in Finance graduates enter or re-enter the world of work with confidence. “Our students will be prepared for jobs in corporate finance, investment banking and a variety of areas within businesses and consulting firms that require financial data management and analysis,” says Dr. Burnie.

The professor regularly browses job postings online to find good matches for his students. Recently he came across several listed by big names. Crédit Agricole CIB was looking for a leveraged finance partner. Stryker Corporation needed a financial specialist, and Eaton Corporation hired a chief pricing analyst.

Dr. Burnie also found that JP Morgan’s Public Finance group was looking for a partner to join its Debt Capital Markets team. Applicants need a background in municipal finance, municipal banking or financial advisory – all in which MS in Finance students gain a solid foundation during their Fixed Income Analysis course.

In fact, all finance-related posts reiterated the high demand for quantitative skills that this MS in Finance provides – a skill that is valuable to both domestic and international students. As this dynamic program is designated STEM, it can offer international students up to 24 additional months of vocational training in the US.

So what are you waiting for? Earn a versatile qualification and increase your earning potential today at the Haworth College of Business. Click here to apply.

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