In the 18-month Master of Science in Quantitative Finance (MSFQ) track, students gain skills in mathematical and strategic decision making. Designed for students with a strong mathematical background, this technical curriculum is ideal if the student's career goals include working in financial services or related industries. There are experiential courses built into the curriculum, so all MSFQ students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience.

Our quantitative finance track requires the completion of 39 credits, and it is STEM-designated for its focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The curriculum includes 30 required credits and 9 electives that focus on advanced quantitative skills, which provide students with a current and innovative approach to finance.

Orientation Programs

All Specialized Master’s Programs students kick off their degrees with a multipronged orientation program designed to prepare them for academic, personal and professional success.

Students will participate in Passport, Career Stamp, and SMP Start, and they will complete foundational courses during the summer prior to beginning their fall semester at Olin.

Students new to the United States and non-native English speakers begin with Passport, during which they will acclimate to the Olin Business School culture and strengthen their English and business communication skills. The entire cohort of students will participate in Career Stamp, which serves as a catalyst for students to help them get started in their career search and preparation processes, and SMP Start, which orients everyone to the ins and outs of Washington University. Finally, students complete SMP Graduate Orientation (GO) Week, which includes workshops and events to help students with their final preparations before the start of their first semester. These programs are packed with opportunities for students to bond with their program cohort and to connect with their peers in all of the Specialized Master’s Programs.

Simultaneously, students will complete online, asynchronous foundation courses to bolster their background and maximize their academic preparation before the start of their degree program. 

Required Courses

Students must complete the following courses:

• FIN 500Q Quantitative Risk Management (3 credits)
• FIN 500R Topics in Quantitative Finance (1.5 credits)
• FIN 524 Options & Futures (1.5 credits)
• FIN 524B Derivative Securities (1.5 credits)
• FIN 525 Fixed Income Securities (1.5 credits)
• FIN 527 Financial Markets (1.5 credits)
• FIN 532 Investment Theory (1.5 credits)
• FIN 532B Data Analysis for Investments (1.5 credits)
• FIN 534 Advanced Corporate Finance I - Valuation (1.5 credits)
• FIN 534B Advanced Corporate Finance II - Financing (1.5 credits)
• FIN 537 Advanced Derivative Securities (3 credits)
• FIN 538 Stochastic Foundations for Finance (1.5 credits)
• FIN 539 Mathematical Finance (1.5 credits)
• FIN 552 Fixed Income Derivatives (1.5 credits)
• MGT 537 Financial Industry Platform (0 credits)
• MGT 560F Professional Business Communication (1.5 credits)
• DAT 537 Data Analysis, Forecasting and Risk Analysis (3 credits)
• DAT 561 Introduction to Python and Data Science (3 credits)

Electives and Experiential Courses

Students select one of the following options:

Option A:

• 1.5 experiential course credits plus
• 4.5 elective credits from the approved list plus
• 1.5 additional approved elective credits

Option B:

• 3 experiential course credits plus
• 4.5 elective credits from the approved list