How is the MSFA different than Financial Engineering?
Financial Engineering is primarily focused on pricing Derivative instruments using sophisticated math (stochastic calculus) and computer programming (C++). It is an extremely narrow and technical degree with a very small choice in jobs after the degree. Financial engineers tend to have been undergraduate physics or electrical engineering majors and know very little about finance or financial markets. The MSFA program is focused on a broader set of careers in finance. A knowledge of economics, accounting, math and statistics is combined to produce students with keen insight into how the world, and financial markets, work. MSFA students may become Industry Analysts at investment firms, work in Mergers and Acquisitions at an investment bank, manage mutual funds or hedge fund investments, or advise high net worth clients and institutions on their investment strategies.
