Financial Engineering and FinTech, M.S.

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The Master of Science in Financial Engineering and FinTech program is designed to prepare students to pursue careers in quantitative finance, risk management, and financial data analytics with focus on application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in finance. Increasingly firms of all types, but especially financial institutions, investment banks, and commodities firms, rely upon highly sophisticated mathematical or statistical models to price financial assets and to identify, measure, and manage risk. The advent of these models requires professionals with extensive skills in finance, mathematics, and data science.

The Financial Engineering and FinTech program at UNC Charlotte is a joint program of the Departments of Finance and Economics in the Belk College of Business and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in the Klein College of Science. Students take courses from all three departments in an integrated curriculum. Students may use electives to tailor the program to their specific interests.

This degree does not lead to a Professional Engineering license.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the following are required for admission to the Master of Science in Financial Engineering and FinTech program.

A baccalaureate degree in a related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Acceptable scores on each portion of the GRE or GMAT.
Applicants from non-English speaking countries must meet the minimum language requirement specified by the Graduate School.
Specific coursework in Calculus and Statistics.

GMAT/GRE Waiver

The GMAT/GRE application requirement may be waived for applicants meeting the following criteria:

Early Entry Applicants - undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or above, with grades of A or B in Economics, Math, Stats, and/or Finance courses

General Applicants with relevant working experience - a minimum of three years of working experience in finance, quantitative analysis, computer science or other highly quantitative/analytical field with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0
General Applicants with no working experience - undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or above, with grades of A or A- in Economics, Math, Stats, and/or Finance courses
Graduate Certificate in Applied Econometrics Certificate or M.S. in Economics students who have completed a minimum of two courses earning grades of B or above, and have a graduate GPA of 3.0 or above.

The waiver must be requested from the Graduate Program Director when submitting the completed application. All GMAT/GRE waivers are at the discretion of the Graduate Program Director. If candidates are unable to secure the GMAT/GRE waiver, they are required to submit official GMAT/GRE test scores in their M.S. in Financial Engineering and FinTech program application.

Prerequisite Requirements

Students may enter this program from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds, including finance, mathematics, economics, computer science, actuarial science, statistics, information systems and engineering. In general students must have the following background before taking advanced courses in the program:

Calculus and Statistics

In addition, students are strongly recommended to be familiar with at least one programming language, most preferably Python.

Early Entry Program

Exceptional undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte may apply for the Early Entry Program and begin work toward the graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree. See the Undergraduate Catalog for details and requirements. Also see the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies section of the Graduate Catalog for more information about Early Entry Programs.

Accelerated Master’s Program

Academically talented high school seniors and UNC Charlotte undergraduate freshmen are encouraged to apply for the Accelerated Master’s Program to begin work toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees in their Freshman year. See the Undergraduate Catalog for details and requirements. Also see the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies section of the Graduate Catalog for more information about Accelerated Master’s Programs.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree is required to earn the M.S. in Mathematical Finance degree. Students must complete the required four Program Core courses and six Concentration courses corresponding with the selected concentration.

Core Courses (12 credit hours)

The program has four courses listed below:

Concentrations (18 credit hours)

The degree program offers three concentrations leading to a M.S. in Financial Engineering and Technology. Students who plan to pursue careers in quantitative modeling and pricing analysis are encouraged to elect the FinTech and Quantitative Finance Concentration. Students planning to pursue a career in risk management and insurance are encouraged to pursue the program with the Risk Management Concentration. Students interested in a career in financial data analysis and AI/ML applications are encouraged to elect the AI/ML inn Finance Concentration.

Concentration in FinTech and Quantitative Finance

In addition to the four Program Core courses, the following six courses are required for a M.S. in Financial Engineering and FinTech with a Concentration in FinTech and Quantitative Finance.

Concentration in Quantitative Risk Management

In addition to the four Program Core courses, the following six courses are required for a M.S. in Financial Engineering and FinTech with a Concentration in Quantitative Risk Management.

Concentration in AI/ML in Finance

In addition to the four Program Core courses, the following six courses are required for a M.S. in Financial Engineering and FinTech with a Concentration in AI/ML in Finance.

Degree Total = 30 Credit Hours

Advising

Advising is done by the Program Director, in conjunction with the Area Coordinators of each of the participating Departments.

Assistantships

A number of assistantships are available each year. In order to be competitive, applications should be submitted by March 15. Additional information is available from the Program Director.

Comprehensive Examination

Student will be required to pass a comprehensive examination. An examining committee will be appointed by the program director and will be constituted from the program’s faculty. The exam may be, at the committee’s discretion, either written or oral.

Application for Degree

Each student should make application for their degree by completing the online Application for Degree through Banner Self Service no later than the filing date specified in the University Academic Calendar.

Transfer Credit

No more than 6 credit hours and only courses with a grade of A or B at an accredited institution. Requires the recommendation of the Program Director and approval of the Graduate School.