| As global markets increase in complexity, the time-honored tradition of learning by doing becomes a risky strategy. Everyone in today's international marketplace—investors and corporate end-users, brokers, traders, and commercial and investment bankers—must not only know the products and the markets they trade, but they must also understand the economics that drive demand and the mathematics that explain it. And as new markets open in Europe , Latin America and Asia , they must understand all of this from a complex global perspective.
If you have experience in the markets, you will gain a new perspective on your current specialty. For example, if you currently working in equities, the program will not only improve your knowledge of cash and derivative equity products, but will also broaden your perspective to include the interest rate, currency and commodity markets. Students who attended the program while they worked have found new positions within their firms and in other areas of the industry as a result of the new skills and knowledge they acquired in the Financial Markets program.
Prerequisites: Accepted students are required to take a diagnostic math exam prior to enrolling. The material covered in the exam is explained in the Diagnostic Math Exam Review Material. Depending on your score, you may be required to take FM 490 Math for Financial Markets and/or FM 491 Statistics for Financial Markets. Additionally, students pursuing the Financial Engineering & Programming concentration may be required to take FM 492 Intro to C++ for Financial Markets as a prerequisite.
Program Requirements: In order to earn a degree in Financial Markets, you will need to successfully complete 14 courses (16 if you choose Financial Engineering).You will typically complete the six core courses (shown below) first, then take the more advanced courses required by you concentration. For details on these courses, please review our course descriptions.
Core Courses:
- FM 502 Global Market Economics
- FM 503 Introduction to Investments
- FM 505 Futures and Futures Markets
- FM 506 Options and Options Theory
- FM 507 Quantitative Methods in Financial Markets
- FM 508 Statistical Methods in Financial Markets
Concentration Requirements: To gain a competitive advantage in the market place, you are strongly encouraged to pursue at least one concentration. The MS in Financial Markets program offers
three concentrations:
Financial Engineering & Programming Concentration
Financial Engineering and Programming (FEP) is an interdisciplinary program combining study in three areas--quantitative finance, computer programming and trading strategy. The resulting blend of theory and experience keeps the knowledge gained in the program up to date and forward looking.
In addition to the six core courses, you will be required to successfully complete the following:
Required:
- FM 492 Introduction to C/C++ Programming for Financial Markets
- FM 530 VB & Databases for Financial Markets
- FM 532 Equity & Equity Derivatives Modeling
- FM 533 Term Structure & Interest Rate Derivative Modeling
- FM 538 Advanced OOP for Financial Markets
- FM 545 Futures and Options Trading Strategies
Any 4 of the following courses from M.S. Program in
Finance curriculum:
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To learn more about the program and the application process, please call us at 312.906.6576 or email us at admissions@stuart.iit.edu and we will be happy to assist you.
Trading Strategies Concentration
In the Trading Strategies concentration, students will learn how to identify and quantify trading oppurtunities in equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, futures, options and swaps. This is the concentration for students who wish to pursue a career on or around the trading desk.
In addition to the six core courses, you will be required to successfully complete the following:
- FM 532 Equity & Equity Derivatives Modeling
- FM 533 Term Structure & Interest Rate Derivatives Modeling
- FM 543 Market Analysis
- FM 544 Equity Trading Strategies
- FM 545 Futures and Options Trading Strategies
- FM 546 Fixed Income Trading Strategies
Electives:
- Two open electives
Apply now
To learn more about the program and the application process, please call us at 312.906.6576 or email us at admissions@stuart.iit.edu and we will be happy to assist you.
Investments Concentration
The Investments concentration is for students who wish to focus on the fundamental and accounting analysis of both traditional and alternative investments, such as equity and fixed income securities, private equity, real estate and hedge funds. This concentration is most appropriate if you are planning a career in portfolio management, equity analysis or consulting to pension funds, mutual funds or hedge funds. These courses can help prepare you for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) series of examinations and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) exam.
In addition to the six core courses, you will be required to successfully complete the following:
- FM 520 Equity Valuation
- FM 521 Global Investment Strategy
- FM 522 Portfolio Management and Mutual Funds
- FM 523 Financial Statement and Security Analysis
- FM 524 Hedge Funds
- FM 525 Real Estate Investment Analysis
- FM 592 Enterprise Formation and Finance
Electives:
- One open elective
Apply now
To learn more about the program and the application process, please call us at 312.906.6576 or email us at admissions@stuart.iit.edu and we will be happy to assist you.
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