Students who enroll in the Yale SOM degree will complete the first year of the MBA program, covering the core curriculum, before undertaking coursework from the STEM-certified Master in Asset Management program. Upon graduation, students will earn both degrees.
This approach makes it a highly desirable prospect for international students, as graduating with a STEM-designation means you are entitled to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) visa extension.
The OPT allows STEM degree students to stay in the US for up to 12 months on an F-1 student visa and then apply for a 24-month extension. This means STEM students can work in the US for up to three years after graduation, without an H-1B visa.
What to expect from the Yale SOM dual MS/MBA curriculum?
As a specialist degree, the program is designed for anyone hoping to pursue a career within the asset management industry, particularly in senior positions.
The first year of the MBA core teaches students business fundamentals and leadership skills. Then, rather than choosing from a range of electives offered in the Yale full-time MBA, joint-degree students switch to the MS in Asset Management program.
The specialized master’s covers all areas of asset management such as investment selection, asset allocation, portfolio management, and risk management.
During the quant-heavy program, students will gain the technical knowledge and skills to thrive in an asset management career. While candidates aren't required to have work experience in the field, being able to demonstrate a strong quantitative skillset is important.
Students will also gain insights into the fast-developing field during talks with executives and investors who visit campus. To gain first-hand practical experience, students take part in an internship, company project, or research project with a Yale SOM finance professor.
Why enroll in the Yale SOM program today?
For international full-time MBAs, opting for the dual degree is particularly advantageous as they will be able to reap the career and visa benefits of earning a STEM-certification.
Yet, at around $164,000 for tuition fees alone, the progam doesn’t come cheap.
However, the joint-degree promises to prepare grads with many of the skills employers are looking for today. According to the GMAC Corporate Recruiter’s Survey 2023, employers are searching for talent with a combination of interpersonal, leadership, and quantitative skills.
Graduates from the program will also be able to tap into the thriving asset management sector in the US with key players such as BlackRock, JP Morgan, and Goldman Sachs frequently advertising internship and full-time opportunities for business school grads.
Those who wish to pursue the joint MS/MBA in Asset Management must apply to both programs separately. Current Yale MBA students who wish to specialize in asset management can apply for the master’s during their first year.
Applications for the Yale SOM dual MS/MBA in Asset Management open in August 2023. The deadline to join the class of 2025 is January 10, 2024.
