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Masters Degrees

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by Patrick_Bateman, Jan 18, 2009.

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  1. Patrick_Bateman

    Patrick_Bateman Formula Junior

    Dec 7, 2008
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    #1 Patrick_Bateman, Jan 18, 2009
    Does anyone still offer these anymore? It seems every where I look they just offer MBA's which require 2-3 years of work experience. I wanted to do a Masters straight out of a degree in something related to invesment but I cant find any top tier schools who still offer them. I know MIT offers a master of finance but it's $70,000 :eek:
     
  2. tundraphile

    tundraphile F1 Veteran

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    #2 tundraphile, Jan 18, 2009
    I'm just guessing, but there might be a glut of finance wizards looking for jobs for the forseeable future.
     
  3. pks41805

    pks41805 Formula 3

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    #3 pks41805, Jan 18, 2009
    McDonalds must offer the degree. The guy that rang up my Big Mac had one.
     
  4. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

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    #4 judge4re, Jan 18, 2009
    Almost every major school offers a masters in accounting, finance or economics. All are key to understanding investing.
     
  5. anthem

    anthem Karting

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    #5 anthem, Jan 18, 2009
    The more in demand are the top tier MBA's. Most of those require at least 2 years of work experience before letting you in. You can get an MBA in econ and a few other majors, but the top tier schools in business is definitely geared toward MBA's.
     
  6. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 GuyIncognito, Jan 18, 2009
    You may want to look into some of the applied math Master's programs too (stats, econometrics, etc). probably not as well-rounded as an MBA but very finance focused and will set you apart from the thousands of MBAs graduating each year.
     
  7. Patrick_Bateman

    Patrick_Bateman Formula Junior

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    #7 Patrick_Bateman, Jan 18, 2009
    Thanks that was helpful.


    I dont want to sound cliche and come across as a dreamer but I'm looking to go into portfolio management/wealth and generally the investment banking. I know this is an extremely difficult field to get into which is why I've started reading all of grahams books and have just started on warren buffets stuff to give me a head start. I'm doing a degree in Accounting right now and had the intention of going to a top level school to get my masters but do you think a better idea would be to do a finance degree instead?

    I'm just trying to set my self apart from the other 5000 finance degrees if you know what I mean.
     
  8. fluque

    fluque Formula 3

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    #8 fluque, Jan 18, 2009
    The obvious question is what do you want to accompish and/or where do you want to work? In most finance related jobs you are better off with an MBA than a masters in finance simply because there's well established recruitment structure. If you are interested in finance most MBA programs offer a Financial Engineering track that covers all relevant finance themes, so you don't miss out.

    MIT Sloan offers a masters in finance but it's a very small 12-month program and you basically need to be a Sloan undergrad to get in. Don't know about other schools.
     
  9. Patrick_Bateman

    Patrick_Bateman Formula Junior

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    #9 Patrick_Bateman, Jan 18, 2009
    Well I know I eventually want to end up in fund management, but I know to get into those position I need to graduate from a good school. Right now I'm at a good public school but I had the intention of doing my masters at a top tier. However I've just seen the requirement for 2-3 years experience which has now made me question my path.

    I did see that MIT offered this but it's also $70k :eek:

    What would be the best way to get into one of the big banks now? Transfer to a top tier school now and try and graduate with a degree form there? (I'm a sophomore right now)
     
  10. Patrick_Bateman

    Patrick_Bateman Formula Junior

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    #10 Patrick_Bateman, Jan 18, 2009
    Just had a look at Financial Engineering and it looks like what I'm after, Columbia offer it at a reasonable price so I think that's what I'll work towards :)
     
  11. fluque

    fluque Formula 3

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    #11 fluque, Jan 18, 2009
    $70k tuition is expensive but there's more to a program than just the cost. If finance is your thing here are a couple of program lists (pay no attention to the rankings as they are mostly irrelevant)

    www.global-derivatives.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=36
    www.global-derivatives.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56&Itemid=36

    Many fund managers have a CFA (chartered financial analyst) instead of a masters degree. It's a tough 3-year/3-level certification process you can do while you're employed.
    www.cfainstitute.org
     
  12. fluque

    fluque Formula 3

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    #12 fluque, Jan 18, 2009
    Schools require work experience because you'll get and contribute much more to the program. There is no substitute for that.

    It's difficult to say right now but big banks normally recruited from top schools either undergrad or grad. You can apply from other schools but it's just more complicated.
     
  13. Patrick_Bateman

    Patrick_Bateman Formula Junior

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    #13 Patrick_Bateman, Jan 18, 2009
    the CFA looks like an interesting path, I also like the fact it says you can register for it in your last year of college. The biggest thing I'm worried about is the banks looking down on my degree because it came from The University of GA. I do think it's a good school but I just don't see why any bank would chose me over someone who has a 4.0 from UPenn.

    Transferring to GA Tech is also an option, it seems to be ranked highly and would be no extra cost.
     

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