M.Ed. in Special Education
The University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville offers a Master of Education (M.E...
M.S. in Fintech
Jacksonville, Florida
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville, Florida, offers a cutting-edge Master of Science (M.S.) in FinTech program through its Coggin College of Business, in partnership with the College of Computing, Engineering and Construction. Launched in Fall 2024, this interdisciplinary program is designed to meet the surging demand for professionals at the nexus of finance and technology. It aims to equip students with a unique blend of financial acumen and technical skills, preparing them for leadership roles in the rapidly evolving financial services industry. The program is offered as a 30-credit hour curriculum, providing flexibility for students to attend full-time or part-time, accommodating working professionals.
STEM Designated: The M.S. in FinTech program at UNF is explicitly STEM-designated. This is a significant advantage, especially for international students, as it often qualifies them for an extended period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the United States after graduation. The STEM designation underscores the program's rigorous focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, reflecting its emphasis on data analytics, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other advanced technologies critical to the financial technology sector.
AACSB-accredited: The University of North Florida's Coggin College of Business, which houses the M.S. in FinTech program, holds the prestigious AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation. This accreditation is a global hallmark of excellence for business education, ensuring that the program adheres to the highest standards of quality in curriculum, faculty, and student outcomes. Earning a degree from an AACSB-accredited institution like UNF signifies a world-class education that is highly recognized and valued by employers worldwide.
Curriculum: The M.S. in FinTech curriculum is a comprehensive 30-credit hour program, typically consisting of 10 required courses that blend finance and computer science graduate-level content. Key course areas include "Foundations of FinTech," "Computational Methods in FinTech I and II," "Artificial Intelligence for FinTech," "Blockchains and Smart Distributed Contracts," "Full Stack Development for FinTech," "Strategic Financial Management," "Analysis of Investment Opportunities," and "FinTech Entrepreneurship." This interdisciplinary approach ensures students develop strong computing skills, gain awareness of financial markets, and learn to apply their talents to analyze real-world problems and simplify services related to banking, mobile payments, credit evaluations, and asset management. The program is structured to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical, employable technical skills.
Research Focus: While the M.S. in FinTech is a professional master's degree aimed at preparing students for industry roles, it inherently incorporates a strong research-informed approach. The curriculum emphasizes data analytics, computational methods, and the application of cutting-edge technologies like machine learning and AI to financial decision-making. Students are trained to use data to inform financial decisions and to critically examine inefficiencies in the current financial system to develop effective solutions. Faculty members, who often have both academic and industry experience, guide students in applying advanced analytical techniques to real-world financial technology challenges, fostering a forward-looking and problem-solving mindset.
Industry Engagement: UNF's M.S. in FinTech program places a high priority on industry engagement, leveraging Jacksonville's emerging status as a FinTech hub. The program is designed to strengthen the talent pipeline for local and national FinTech companies. Students are encouraged to network while in school and are prepared to enter jobs with locally based FinTech giants such as FIS, Deutsche Bank, and Dun & Bradstreet. The curriculum is shaped by insights from industry experts, and students learn through practical application, gaining direct insights into today's business challenges. This strong connection to the professional world provides invaluable real-world experience and facilitates career opportunities for graduates.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in FinTech at UNF inherently encompasses a global perspective due to the interconnected nature of financial markets and technological innovation. Financial technology is transforming industries worldwide, and the program's focus on areas like blockchain, digital payments, and global financial systems prepares students to operate in an international context. The curriculum addresses how cutting-edge technology will affect the global financial industry, enabling graduates to adapt to new software, applications, and business models as FinTech continues to dominate financial systems globally. This broad understanding equips students to contribute to the evolving financial landscape on a global scale.
Location
Jacksonville, Florida
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 18803
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $31
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
Standardized Test Requirements
- GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test): Minimum score of 550 required.
- GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Minimum score of 304 required.
The University of North Florida (UNF) offers a variety of scholarships specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals while easing the financial burden of studying in the United States. These scholarships recognize outstanding academic achievements, leadership potential, and community involvement.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UNF provides merit scholarships to international students based on their academic performance, standardized test scores, and extracurricular accomplishments. These scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are awarded automatically to eligible applicants during the admissions process.
International Student Scholarships: Special scholarships are reserved exclusively for international students. Examples include the International Freshman Scholarship and the International Transfer Scholarship, which reward high-achieving students with financial aid packages that may cover partial to full tuition fees.
Need-Based Financial Aid: While limited for international students, some need-based financial aid options may be available through private organizations or partnerships coordinated by UNF’s financial aid office. International students are encouraged to explore external scholarship databases for additional funding opportunities.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain academic departments and colleges at UNF offer scholarships targeted to students enrolled in specific fields of study. International students can apply for these scholarships based on their major, research interests, or academic achievements within their discipline.
A Master of Science (M.S.) in FinTech from the University of North Florida (UNF), particularly with its STEM designation and AACSB accreditation, positions graduates to thrive at the intersection of finance and technology. This interdisciplinary program provides a unique blend of financial acumen and cutting-edge technical skills, making alumni highly desirable in the rapidly evolving financial services industry. The program specifically highlights its aim to strengthen the talent pipeline for local and national FinTech companies, leveraging Jacksonville's emerging status as a FinTech hub.
FinTech Analyst/Consultant: Graduates can work for financial institutions, technology companies, or consulting firms, analyzing market trends, identifying opportunities for technological innovation in finance, and advising on the implementation of FinTech solutions.
Blockchain Developer/Engineer: With specialized knowledge in blockchain and smart contracts, graduates can design, develop, and implement blockchain-based solutions for financial applications, including cryptocurrencies, decentralized finance (DeFi), and secure transaction systems.
Data Scientist/Machine Learning Engineer (FinTech): These professionals leverage advanced statistical and machine learning techniques to analyze vast amounts of financial data. They develop algorithms for fraud detection, credit scoring, algorithmic trading, risk management, and personalized financial services.
Cybersecurity Analyst (FinTech): Given the sensitive nature of financial data, cybersecurity is paramount. Graduates can specialize in protecting financial systems and data from cyber threats, designing secure FinTech applications, and ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations.
Quantitative Analyst (Quant): Quants apply advanced mathematical and statistical models to financial markets. In FinTech, they develop quantitative trading strategies, pricing models for complex financial products, and risk assessment models, often leveraging big data and AI.
Product Manager (FinTech): These professionals lead the development and launch of new FinTech products and services. They bridge the gap between technical teams and business objectives, conducting market research, defining product roadmaps, and ensuring user-centric design for innovative financial solutions.
Compliance Officer/Regulatory Technology (RegTech) Specialist: With the increasing scrutiny of financial regulations, graduates can work to ensure FinTech companies comply with legal and ethical standards. RegTech specialists develop and implement technology-driven solutions to automate and streamline compliance processes.
Financial Software Developer/Applications Engineer: These roles involve designing, coding, and maintaining the software applications that power FinTech products and services. This can include mobile banking apps, trading platforms, payment gateways, and automated financial advisory tools.
FinTech Entrepreneur: With a holistic understanding of both technology and finance, graduates are well-equipped to identify market gaps, develop innovative FinTech solutions, and launch their own startups in areas like alternative lending, digital payments, personal finance management, or investment platforms.
Investment Manager/Robo-Advisor Developer: Graduates can apply their FinTech knowledge to investment management, either as traditional investment analysts incorporating tech tools or by developing and managing robo-advisor platforms that use algorithms to provide automated financial advice and portfolio management.
