The program is for recent college graduates from quantitative fields of study, with a curriculum that can be completed in either 15 or 10 months. It aims to prepare aspiring finance professionals for the evolving industry through theory and practical experience.
“We are excited to bring our transformative approach—and the latest innovations in finance—to talented, analytical college graduates, jump-starting their careers and putting them at the frontier of this rapidly advancing field,” said Madhav Rajan, dean of Chicago Booth.
It is only the second time that Chicago Booth has launched a new degree in more than 80 years. Earlier this year, the school joined the growing wave of US business schools launching Master in Management degrees.
Chicago Booth Master in Finance | Curriculum
The Chicago Booth Master in Finance kicks off with a two week bootcamp experience where students will learn the foundational skills needed to succeed in the program. For example, an intensive Python coding for data analysis course will ensure students are confident using the software throughout the program.
The Booth curriculum includes four core courses in finance fundamentals—Investments, Corporation Finance, Data Analytics, and Financial Accounting. Students then choose five finance electives with the option to also select an area of specialization. Options include: Asset Management, Investment Banking, Fintech, or Research in Finance.
“These four areas of specialization are not only areas that Booth finance faculty produce groundbreaking research in, but they are areas we see strong employment opportunities. While students won’t be required to take a specialization, we will strongly encourage them to,” says Stefan Nagel, professor of finance at Chicago Booth.
If students do not opt for a specialization, they can choose any five electives from a range of over 100.
“One of the great features of this new program is that students can take courses that are really at the cutting edge of technologies and advances that are disrupting the financial industry,” says Ralph SJ Koijen, professor of finance at Chicago Booth.
Some of the forward-thinking electives students can choose include Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies and Web3, Impact Investing, and Technology Strategy.
Students also get to choose four electives from a range of MBA courses, giving them the chance to gain broader business knowledge alongside their specialist finance expertise.
However, within a career in finance, technical understanding must be paired with soft skills such as communication and problem-solving. Alongside intensive finance theory, Booth Master in Finance students can therefore gain real-world experience.
Those who opt for the 15-month standard track will undertake a summer internship before returning for classes in the final quarter. Alternatively, the 10-month accelerated track requires students to complete an internship before beginning the program.
The 10-week Succeeding in the Workplace course explores different career paths and job search strategies. Plus, the Leaders in Finance Speaker Series will give invaluable insights into the industry and allow students to network with hiring managers at top firms.
“Beyond delivering students an unparalleled academic experience, we want to ensure that we’re connecting them to industry leaders and potential employers throughout the duration of the program,” says Koijen.
Like the Master in Finance degree, Chicago Booth's new Master in Management will also begin teaching in fall 2024.
Applications for both programs are now open.
