February 1, 2018
The Carroll School has introduced a new STEM-designated track in its Master of Science in Finance program. With analytically focused courses, the Quantitative Finance Track aims to make Boston College more competitive in attracting international students as well as to adapt to the evolving demands of the finance industry.
The new, ten-course track meets U.S. Department of Homeland Security criteria for a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education program. That’s potentially good news for incoming students on F-1 visas who choose the track. It means that upon graduation, if they land jobs with qualified employers in their field of study, then they can petition to extend their stay in the States for up to 36 months of on-the-job training (formally known as optional practical training, or OPT). The standard OPT extension for graduates without a STEM-designated degree is just 12 months.
Students will learn advanced modeling techniques and data analytics applied to financial markets. The sequence of instruction will make them eligible to apply for analytical jobs in corporate finance, asset management, and investment banking.
“This is one industry where technology has really changed the way business is done,” said Marilyn Eckelman, associate dean for graduate programs and career development. “We constantly review the curricula for our programs to better prepare our students for today’s competitive marketplace.”