Forum Home > GMAT > Quantitative > Problem Solving (PS)
Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Dec 1110:00 AM PST
-11:00 AM PST
Top MBA Admissions Consultant: We work with you to turn YOUR story and YOUR passions into YOUR success. Curious to learn more?
Dec 1101:00 PM EST
-03:00 PM EST
Looking to secure a coveted spot at a top business school? Our team of seasoned MBA admissions consultants, including top B schools alumni and industry leaders, is here to help turn your dreams into reality. Let’s kick-start your journey to success!
Dec 1210:00 AM EST
-10:30 AM EST
Did you know you can lock in a spot at an elite MBA program years in advance of attending? Learn everything about Deferred MBA programs and why they’re becoming a game-changer for students and professionals.
Dec 1208:00 PM PST
-09:00 PM PST
Inquire for a free profile evaluation and guarantee statement for possible admits and scholarships!
Dec 1308:30 AM EST
-09:15 AM EST
Get the inside scoop on what makes Emory’s Goizueta Business School great, learn how you can present a strong MBA application, and connect with an Admissions Director to get your questions answered.
Dec 1408:00 AM PST
-11:30 AM PST
Join us for an exclusive Admit Weekend designed to help you navigate the exciting yet challenging process of choosing between multiple MBA offers and provide valuable guidance on financial aid, scholarship negotiation, visa processes, and more.
Dec 1511:00 AM EST
-11:30 AM EST
Meet Tuck at an informal student or staff-hosted coffee chat in a city near you!- Dec 16
08:00 AM PST
-11:59 PM PST
GMAT Club 12 Days of Christmas is a 4th Annual GMAT Club Winter Competition based on solving questions. This is the Winter GMAT competition on GMAT Club with an amazing opportunity to win over $40,000 worth of prizes! 
Dec 2109:00 PM IST
-10:00 PM IST
Dreaming of a successful post-MBA career? Explore the 2026 career pathways in consulting, tech, finance, and dive into the exciting opportunities and the potential ROI these industries offer, helping you make informed decisions and more.
Many students have presented questions regarding an MS Finance degree as a substitute or stepping stone to an MBA. Now seems as good a time as any to address this important topic.
First, some broad generalities
1) Master of Finance degrees take less time than US-style MBA programs (Roughly 1 year for the MS Finance vs. 2 academic years for the MBA)
2) The Master of Finance degree will have much lower work experience requirements than a high cluster MBA program (many MS Finance programs have no work requirement at all)
3) The Master of Finance will place far less emphasis on leadership or leadership potential than the typical "high cluster" MBA
4) The Master of Finance will tend to be far more specialized than even MBA programs that allow students to develop a "track" or "specialization"
5) Quantiative skillls are even more highly prized in Masters of Finance programs than in the typical MBA program
6) It is generally more difficult to find comprehensive employment data for MS Finance graduates
Second, note that MSF programs come in many different "flavors." Here are some broad types of MS Finance programs
1) Mathematical Finance
"The program creates an integrated curriculum spanning four disciplines: economics, mathematics, econometrics/statistics and computational/numerical analysis." USC
2) Financial Engineering
"Financial Engineering is a multidisciplinary field that request familiarity with financial theory, the methods of engineering, the tools of mathematics and the practice of programming." Columbia
3) Comprehensive Finance
"Unlike mathematical or computational finance Master programs, we teach all of finance. This means for instance that we teach accounting, corporate finance, behavioral finance, etc., in addition to stochastic calculus, derivatives pricing, financial engineering, etc. We believe that our broad multidisciplinary approach to finance is an important advantage of our program, and that our placement record reflects it." Princeton
Third, universities have different administrative structures for running MS Fin programs. Here are some examples:
1) Finance programs sponsored by the Mathematics or Engineering department (e.g. University of Chicago and Columbia University)
2) The Hybrid programs that are shared between Mathematics/Engineerng and the Business School or Economics Department (e.g. University of Southern California)
3) The Finance program provided through the Business School or Department of Economics (e.g. University of California Berkeley)
First, some broad generalities
1) Master of Finance degrees take less time than US-style MBA programs (Roughly 1 year for the MS Finance vs. 2 academic years for the MBA)
2) The Master of Finance degree will have much lower work experience requirements than a high cluster MBA program (many MS Finance programs have no work requirement at all)
3) The Master of Finance will place far less emphasis on leadership or leadership potential than the typical "high cluster" MBA
4) The Master of Finance will tend to be far more specialized than even MBA programs that allow students to develop a "track" or "specialization"
5) Quantiative skillls are even more highly prized in Masters of Finance programs than in the typical MBA program
6) It is generally more difficult to find comprehensive employment data for MS Finance graduates
Second, note that MSF programs come in many different "flavors." Here are some broad types of MS Finance programs
1) Mathematical Finance
"The program creates an integrated curriculum spanning four disciplines: economics, mathematics, econometrics/statistics and computational/numerical analysis." USC
2) Financial Engineering
"Financial Engineering is a multidisciplinary field that request familiarity with financial theory, the methods of engineering, the tools of mathematics and the practice of programming." Columbia
3) Comprehensive Finance
"Unlike mathematical or computational finance Master programs, we teach all of finance. This means for instance that we teach accounting, corporate finance, behavioral finance, etc., in addition to stochastic calculus, derivatives pricing, financial engineering, etc. We believe that our broad multidisciplinary approach to finance is an important advantage of our program, and that our placement record reflects it." Princeton
Third, universities have different administrative structures for running MS Fin programs. Here are some examples:
1) Finance programs sponsored by the Mathematics or Engineering department (e.g. University of Chicago and Columbia University)
2) The Hybrid programs that are shared between Mathematics/Engineerng and the Business School or Economics Department (e.g. University of Southern California)
3) The Finance program provided through the Business School or Department of Economics (e.g. University of California Berkeley)
12 Sep 2005, 21:18
Kudos
Bookmarks
This is all very nice but is a Masters of Finance the better program for me . . .
You can think of an MBA as having two major components beyond Networking: Academic Skill Acquisition and Personal Development. The Academic Skills portion would include understanding financial products, valuation, forecasting, etc. This can easily be obtained in a quality MS Finance program. On the other hand, MS Finance programs are not intended to develop leadership or management skills. In addition, you will receive little exposure to other disciplines such as Marketing.
The value of these leadership skills is contingent on your career path after finishing the program. If you intend to take a staff position within a financial services firm, your lack of leadership skills will probably not be particularly relevant. If you wish to take a line management position in a manufacuring firm, of course, the lack of these general management skills could be very important.
You can think of an MBA as having two major components beyond Networking: Academic Skill Acquisition and Personal Development. The Academic Skills portion would include understanding financial products, valuation, forecasting, etc. This can easily be obtained in a quality MS Finance program. On the other hand, MS Finance programs are not intended to develop leadership or management skills. In addition, you will receive little exposure to other disciplines such as Marketing.
The value of these leadership skills is contingent on your career path after finishing the program. If you intend to take a staff position within a financial services firm, your lack of leadership skills will probably not be particularly relevant. If you wish to take a line management position in a manufacuring firm, of course, the lack of these general management skills could be very important.
12 Sep 2005, 21:31
Kudos
Bookmarks
"I'm a young applicant with little work experience so I am considering an Masters of Finance program. However, virtually everyone knows what an MBA is but not that many people know what a Masters of Finance is - I am afraid that no one will hire me with this strange degree. Should I just go to a lower ranked MBA program or enter a Masters of Finance program?"
Again, this really depends on the exact MS Finance and MBA program and what you plan to do in the long run. However, if you feel that your admissions profile will improve over time, it might be wise to defer entering an MBA program in this circumstance. Since many MBA programs are reluctant or unwilling to accept students for a second MBA you should use your one chance at getting an MBA carefully. Indeed, it might be a good idea to hold off on higher education until you are ready to enter an MBA program that matches your ambitions. Note, however, that MS Finance programs do not have the same "degree preclusion" effect of a first MBA. This would allow you to gain important academic skills in just one year in your MS Finance program and then work on your general management skills years later when you have a greater work experience to draw upon when you take an MBA. In addition, high grades in your MS program would be a good way of demonstrating your academic ability to the MBA admissions commte.
Again, this really depends on the exact MS Finance and MBA program and what you plan to do in the long run. However, if you feel that your admissions profile will improve over time, it might be wise to defer entering an MBA program in this circumstance. Since many MBA programs are reluctant or unwilling to accept students for a second MBA you should use your one chance at getting an MBA carefully. Indeed, it might be a good idea to hold off on higher education until you are ready to enter an MBA program that matches your ambitions. Note, however, that MS Finance programs do not have the same "degree preclusion" effect of a first MBA. This would allow you to gain important academic skills in just one year in your MS Finance program and then work on your general management skills years later when you have a greater work experience to draw upon when you take an MBA. In addition, high grades in your MS program would be a good way of demonstrating your academic ability to the MBA admissions commte.
