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Information on Master’s Degree Programs for Financial Analysts

Majors Overview June 7, 2015

This article talks about master’s degree programs for financial analysts and their education requirements, coursework, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.

Information on Master’s Degree Programs for Financial Analysts

Individuals and businesses alike rely on the assistance of financial analysts with important investment decisions, evaluation of economic trends and recommendations of potentially profitable investments. Aspiring financial analysts most commonly pursue a master’s degree in finance. The program is devised to train students for a career working with stocks, investments, and varied markets. Once they complete the degree program, graduates can expect to have gained the advanced training sought by many employers and be eligible to take their state’s Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Coursework may cover topic areas such as investment theory, accounting principles, and corporate finance.

Master’s Programs in Finance

Financial analysts are required to have a strong grasp of the functioning of markets and financial systems. Students enrolled in master’s degree programs in finance gain training in computational methods, quantitative analysis, and economic theory. They also gain a strong grasp of mathematics and business, apart from risk management, corporate finance, and the banking industry from a global and national perspective.

Education Requirements

Admission criteria typically require incoming students to these competitive programs to hold a bachelor’s degree. Applicants for admittance to many programs are required to complete prerequisite courses in a relevant field, such as statistics, economics, or accounting. Prior coursework in advanced mathematics, including calculus, is a requirement for admission to many programs. In some instances, schools insist on prior professional experience in the business world.

Coursework

Program coursework combines theory and empirical-based training. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:

•Corporate finance
•Financial accounting
•Financial investments
•Financial theory
•Financial modeling
•Derivatives

Job and Wage Outlook

In 2012, nearly 253,000 individuals were employed as financial analysts in the United States, mainly in financial clusters, such as New York City, among others (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a job growth of 16% has been predicted for financial analysts. In May 2012, these professionals brought in an average annual wage of $76,950 (BLS).

Continuing Education Choices

Employers don’t insist on financial analysts holding certification. However, these professionals would benefit in terms of both earnings and career advancement by pursuing certification. The CFA Institute offers the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. The master’s degree may enable graduates to become a CPA. Financial analysts are not required to study beyond the master’s level.

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