M.A. in Nonprofit Leadership
The M.A. in Nonprofit Leadership at OCU is a 36-credit-hour program that can be complet...
M.S. in Financial Analytics
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
INTAKE: Jan, May & Aug
Program Overview
The M.S. in Financial Analytics at OCU is a 30-credit-hour program offered in an on-campus format, with classes delivered in convenient 8-week blocks. It provides a comprehensive curriculum that educates students in corporate finance, investments, data analysis, computer programming (e.g., Excel VBA, Python, R), Excel-based financial modeling, and portfolio and risk management. Graduates emerge well-prepared to think critically, apply analytical tools, answer specific business questions, and forecast possible future financial scenarios for organizations. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through projects and case studies, allowing students to gain practical experience with real-world financial data and analytical tools.
STEM-Designated: A crucial advantage of OCU's M.S. in Financial Analytics program is its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) designation. This is particularly beneficial for international students, as it allows for an extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) period in the U.S. by an additional 24 months, totaling up to 36 months of post-graduation work authorization. This extended period provides invaluable opportunities for practical experience and career development within the U.S. financial analytics industry, making the program highly attractive globally.
Curriculum: The curriculum of the M.S. in Financial Analytics is a robust blend of advanced financial theory and cutting-edge analytical and computational techniques. Key courses include "Financial Strategy and Decision Making," "Computational Finance & Financial Modeling" (covering Excel VBA, Monte Carlo simulation, efficient frontier, and asset pricing models), "Portfolio & Risk Management" (incorporating programming and data analytics to calculate performance parameters, conduct security fundamental analysis, and build optimized portfolios), "Fixed Income Analytics" (exploring bond valuation, duration, convexity, and various fixed-income products), and "Applications in FinTech" (exploring AI, deep learning, blockchain, and open APIs in financial services). The program also includes core analytical courses such as "Data Analysis for Business Decisions," "Computer Programming for Data Scientists," "Data Visualization," and "Data Engineering."
Research Focus: Oklahoma City University's Meinders School of Business, home to the M.S. in Financial Analytics, has a strong applied research focus, particularly within the areas of finance, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. The university is home to the Ronnie K. Irani Center for Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, indicating a dedicated commitment to advanced analytical fields. Faculty members, who often have both academic and extensive industry experience, engage in research interests that directly inform the curriculum, including financial modeling, risk management, and the application of AI and machine learning in finance (FinTech). The program encourages students to engage with real-world financial datasets and scenarios, applying quantitative methods to solve complex financial problems.
Industry Engagement: Oklahoma City University places a high premium on industry engagement, ensuring its M.S. in Financial Analytics program is highly relevant to the demands of the financial sector. The faculty frequently consists of industry professionals who bring current market insights and practical challenges into the classroom. The Meinders School of Business provides students with access to cutting-edge resources like the Bloomberg Finance Lab, offering hands-on experience with real-time financial data and analytics tools. The university actively fosters connections with local and regional financial institutions, facilitating networking opportunities, internships, and career placements that prepare graduates for immediate contributions to the industry.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Financial Analytics at Oklahoma City University integrates a global perspective by addressing how financial markets and economic principles operate on an international scale. The curriculum explores global economic dynamics and the interconnectedness of financial systems. Furthermore, the program's STEM designation significantly attracts international students, fostering a diverse classroom environment. This exposure to varied global viewpoints and experiences in financial contexts prepares graduates to navigate international financial markets, understand cross-border investment strategies, and make informed, data-driven decisions in a globally interconnected financial world.
Location
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 14190
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
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 83 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 105.
Oklahoma City University (OCU) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities designed to attract and support talented international students. These scholarships help reduce the financial burden of studying abroad and reward academic excellence, leadership, and artistic achievement.
Merit-Based Scholarships: OCU provides merit-based scholarships to international students who demonstrate outstanding academic records, leadership potential, and community involvement. These scholarships are automatically considered during the admission process, and amounts vary based on academic achievement and program of study.
Performance and Talent Scholarships: Students applying to OCU’s renowned performing arts programs, including music, dance, and theater, may be eligible for performance-based scholarships. These awards recognize exceptional artistic ability and provide financial support to help students pursue their creative passions at a professional level.
Transfer Student Scholarships: International students transferring from other accredited institutions may qualify for transfer scholarships. These awards acknowledge previous academic success and help make the transition to OCU more affordable.
Graduate Scholarships and Assistantships: Graduate students, especially those in business, law, and healthcare fields, can access scholarships and assistantships that offer tuition remission and stipends in exchange for teaching or research support. These opportunities provide valuable experience and financial relief.
Oklahoma City University's M.S. in Financial Analytics is a highly specialized and robust program designed to equip graduates with advanced quantitative and analytical skills crucial for success in the modern financial landscape. This program distinguishes itself through its comprehensive curriculum, strong emphasis on computational finance and risk management, and the significant advantage of its STEM designation. Graduates emerge prepared to tackle complex financial challenges and drive strategic financial decisions across diverse sectors.
Quantitative Analyst (Quant): This is a highly sought-after role in investment banks, hedge funds, and asset management firms. Quants develop and implement complex mathematical and statistical models for pricing financial instruments, developing trading strategies, and managing risk. This role directly leverages the program's strong computational finance and programming components.
Financial Risk Analyst/Manager: Specializes in identifying, measuring, and mitigating various financial risks (market, credit, operational) within financial institutions. Graduates use advanced analytical techniques, including VaR (Value at Risk) and Monte Carlo simulations, to quantify exposure and recommend hedging strategies, as taught in OCU's program.
Portfolio Manager (Quantitative Focus): Manages investment portfolios for individuals, institutions, or mutual funds, often employing data-driven and algorithmic strategies. The program's emphasis on portfolio optimization, performance measurement, and security analysis directly prepares graduates for this role.
Financial Modeler: Specializes in building intricate financial models (e.g., for valuation, forecasting, capital budgeting, and M&A analysis) using tools like Excel VBA and other programming languages. This is a critical skill for investment banking, corporate finance, and private equity.
FinTech Analyst/Specialist: Works at the intersection of finance and technology, contributing to the development and implementation of innovative digital solutions in financial services. This could involve areas like blockchain, algorithmic trading platforms, robo-advisors, or other emerging financial technologies, directly aligning with OCU's "Applications in FinTech" course.
Data Scientist (Financial Domain): Applies data science techniques, including machine learning and predictive analytics, to financial datasets. They might work on fraud detection, customer segmentation for financial products, credit scoring, or algorithmic trading signal generation.
Investment Analyst (Quantitative Research): Conducts in-depth quantitative research on securities, markets, and economic trends to identify investment opportunities. They use statistical methods and financial models to provide data-backed recommendations to portfolio managers or clients.
Credit Risk Analyst (Advanced): Evaluates the creditworthiness of borrowers (individuals, corporations, or governments) using sophisticated financial models and data analysis to assess default probabilities and determine lending risk.
Treasury Analyst/Manager (Corporate Finance): Manages a company's liquidity, cash flow, and investments, utilizing financial analytics to optimize working capital, manage foreign exchange exposure, and make short-term investment decisions.
Valuation Analyst: Specializes in determining the fair value of businesses, assets, and securities using various valuation methodologies, including discounted cash flow (DCF), comparable company analysis, and precedent transactions. The program's strong foundation in financial strategy and modeling supports this career path.
