Analytics-oriented programs have been a hot choice for studying abroad in recent years. They not only help students cultivate sharp analytical thinking but also enable them to master hard skills and knowledge keeping pace with the big data era.
With the surging popularity of such programs, many universities have launched more specialized tracks tailored to student demand and the employment landscape, offering more specific curricula and learning resources.
Recently, two more top-tier schools have planned to launch new related programs for Fall 2022. Interested students, read on to learn more.
Emory University – Master of Analytical Finance
About Emory
Emory University, located in Atlanta, is one of the “New Ivies” in the U.S. and boasts 24 Rhodes Scholar alumni.
Emory’s Goizueta Business School ranks 26th among U.S. business schools according to U.S. News and enjoys a strong academic reputation.
Program Introduction
The Goizueta Business School will offer a full-time Master of Analytical Finance (MAF) starting in Fall 2022, providing professional training for students aiming for careers in sales and trading, investment management, financial technology, and investment banking.
In this 10-month STEM program, students will complete four rotations across different departments and teams, learning to solve increasingly complex financial problems through both theory and practice.
Semester and Curriculum
Preparatory Courses: These help students build a solid foundation in business, technology, business statistics, and business mathematics in a short time.
Fall Semester:
- Global Markets: Delve into how global markets and financial systems operate, with courses covering corporate finance, investment banking, equities, and derivatives.
- Sales, Trading and Portfolio Management: Get hands-on with managing funds and pitching investment ideas. By the end of this rotation, students will have earned partial professional certificates and completed CFA preparation.
Winter Break: An online or in-person internship opportunity will be provided.
Spring Semester: Participate in two different teams for collaborative learning:
- Asset Management Team: Deep dive into strategic areas such as ESG, emerging markets, and digital currencies.
- Global Leadership Team: Develop corporate hedging strategies for procuring goods, services, and cross-currency transactions, and deliver innovative fintech solutions. Students will directly deliver client-facing solutions and conduct actionable risk/return assessments.
Furthermore, the program provides firsthand insights into financial market operations, helping students deeply understand global banks, stock markets, and investment firms.
Program Highlights
Fridays "ON THE JOB"
Throughout the program, students will “work” in the Finance Lab every Friday, rotating through four departments representing top global banks or funds. Each time, they will join a new team, truly engage in client projects, and learn to solve real-world problems in each domain.
Finance Lab
The Finance Lab allows students to access global markets and trade products in real time within a professional trading floor environment. This enables them to utilize cutting-edge tools, real-time market data, and trading platforms to model, trade, and collaborate, accumulating substantial practical experience.
Background Requirements
There are no explicit work experience requirements for this program. The school welcomes applicants from various academic backgrounds, but those with relevant academic background may be eligible for a GRE/GMAT waiver.
Essay Requirements
Applicants must complete all of the following required essays:
- What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
- Describe a significant global issue or innovation (current or historical) that you are particularly interested in, and explain how it has become increasingly important for the world.
- Video essay.
The video allows each candidate to speak with the admissions committee, getting to know each candidate through “small talk” questions in the online application.
GPA Requirements
There are currently no explicit requirements.
GRE Requirements
All applicants must submit GRE/GMAT scores, except those meeting the following criteria:
- Emory undergraduate alumni who earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher in the following majors: business, mathematics, statistics, economics, quantitative theory and methods, computer science, engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, or pre-med.
- Holders of the General Securities Representative Exam (Series 7), CFA Level 1, or CPA certification, with a GPA of 3.0.
- Submission of a valid MCAT or LSAT score.
Language Requirements
IELTS: 7.0+
TOEFL: 100+
UC Berkeley – Master of Analytics
About UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley is known as a “Public Ivy” and has produced a wealth of top talent across various industries.
Program Introduction
The Master of Analytics program, to be offered by the IEOR department at UC Berkeley starting in Fall 2022, is a 10-month program designed to prepare students to become skilled professionals in analytics methods and data-driven decision-making tools, tackling complex business challenges across industries from e-commerce to healthcare, transportation to energy.
Semester and Curriculum
Fall Semester: Take core courses covering analytical methods including optimization, statistics, simulation, and data analytics.
Spring Semester: Study elective courses in decision analytics with industry context and an analytics lab course. During this period, students will work from raw data to complete a comprehensive team analytics project.
Specific course details will be announced by the school later.
Program Highlights
Python Bootcamp
A two-week (50-hour) Python bootcamp will be offered prior to the start of the fall semester, aimed at helping students better adapt to the new academic term.
Summer Internship
The program concludes with a ten-week summer internship, giving students the chance to consolidate and apply their knowledge in practice.
Application Requirements
Applications will be accepted starting in Fall 2021, but specific application dates are yet to be announced. Interested students can visit the program’s official website and leave their email address to receive detailed program information and reminders about the admission process.
Compared with two-year programs, one-year programs are more intensive and faster-paced, challenging students’ ability to manage time effectively and learn independently.
Meanwhile, analytics-related programs are increasingly showing a trend toward specialization. Students interested in analytics are advised to leverage their backgrounds, explore their strengths, and apply to the programs and schools that best fit them.
